Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1908-02-21
TO ORGANIZE FARMERS UNION.

operative Union, an organization
which had its origin in Texas in
1901, but which now has unions
in nearly all the western and
southern states, was in Genesee
Friday, having come here for
the purpose of organizing a union
at this place. Advertising
matter for the meeting had been
previously sent here but for some
cause or other had not been cir
culated, consequently no meet
ing was held. Mr.. Elmore left
Saturday saying that he would
return at an early date, to carry
out his original plans.
In the state of Washington it is
claimed that the organization has
a membership of about 5000,
nearly one-third of which is in
Whitman county.
Who may become members of
the organization is clearly set
forth in section l of the constitu-
ton.
"All persons are eligible to
membership who are of sound
mind and over the age of 16
years, white person or Indian
of Industrious habits, believe in a
supreme being, is of good moral
character and is a farmer, farm
laborer, rural mechanic, rural
school teacher, physician or min
lister of the gospel; who is not
engaged in any banking, mer-
chandising, practicing law, or
belongs to any trust or combine
for the purpose of speculating in
agricultural products or the
necessities of life or directly
l
affecting injuriously the agricul-
tural interests; provided, the ow-
ming of bank stock by an actual
farmer shall not be construed as
making him a banker, as long as
his principal support comes from
the farm.
"The order is secret, having
the usual officers, regulations,
passwords, grip, etc. It is ben
evolent in that all members are
obligated to assist other members
and to care for them in sickness;
but there is no sick benefit as
sessment. The constitution
plainly bars negroes and the fact
that it originated in the south
makes this less surprising. In
dians are admitted but nc
negroes.
"The order is purely a business
organization" said Organizer
Elmore, in an interview. "We
want it thoroughly understood
that it is not a political organiza-
tion, and politics : is strictly
barred. When we want legisla
ton we will ask the Legislature
or congress for it, and we do no
need, nor will we admit any
politicians into our ranks to tel
us what we need. We believ,
the farmers are intelligen
enough to make their want
known without the aid of politi
: clans. We purpose to keep ou
: of mercantile pursuits. Our sol,
aim is to benefit the farmers ant
assist agriculture, and no
educate our farmers to be mer
chants. We want the assistanc
and cooperation of merchants
! and know we cannot get it by
, antagonizing them and engaging
, in business which will make III
a their competitors,
;. 1--WE aim first to secure bette
= prices for our products. If w,
can sell our products right W
can buy right, and are willing t
trust the buying to the individ
uals. Where we can pool ou
r interests and give a large orde
d for some commodity general
r used by farmers, we will do SC
s but our main object is to secur
s better markets for our products.
}, That the cooperation of tn
e farmers results very beneficial
e to themselves is plainly show
J. hxy +ba foot tbot for,,oaxe ~ ~