2
L. L. POLK, - .- Editor.
D. H. BROWDER, Busimess Manager.
Raleigh, N. C.
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The Pbooressit e Farmer, Raleigh, N. C-
RALEIGH, N. C, JA"N. 29, 1889.
This paper entered as second-class matter at the Post
Office in Raleigh, N. C.J
The Progressive Farmer is the
Official Organ of the N. C. Farmers'
Association and N. C. State Farmers'
Alliance, and the Virginia State Farm
ers' Alliance.'-' 1
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33if Our friends in writing to any of
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portant matter.
BalT' The indications are that the next
General Assembly of our State will be
composed largely of farmers. The Pro
gressive Farmer proposes to discuss freely
such issues and questions as will most
likely be brought before that body and in
which every farmer in the State is directly
interested. It will keep its readers thor
oughly informed on all matters of legisla
tion affecting their interests and will give
the ayes and noes whenever necessary.
The people shall know who are their
friends and who their enemies. If you
want to keep up, subscribe now for The
Progressive Farmer.
THE ADVANCE IN THE PRICE
OF FERTILIZERS.
Before the days of trusts, pools,
combines nd monopolistic conspira
cies, any appreciable decline or advance
in the price of any of the leading com
mercial articles was controlled ordi
narily by the law of supply and de
mand. But that day has passed. The
law of trade is now the dictum of the
money gamblers of the world, and its
limit is denned only by the greed and
avarice of these men. It is not at all
unusual to be informed by telegraph
that a combination has just been com
pleted among the monopolists by which
the price on some leading article, some
necessary of life and which is in uni
versal demand, has be6n advanced so
' as to out their -pockets millions of
dollars. And this outrageous system
. of robbery and plunder is growing
more greedy, and more bold and
stronger every day. And yet Con
gress sits idly by, while the helpless
people are being filched. So if .there
be an advance in the price of flour,
sugar, meat, coffee or any other article,
it is no evidence that it is scarcer,
neither is it evidence that the producer
,gets any of the benefits of the advanced
price. '
Recently, we have been informed
that the price of all manipulated fer
tilizers is advanced from $2.50 to
$5.00 per ton. We have been unable
.to trace the cause for this advance.
The only reason we have been enabled
to get is that the ingredients imported
'from foreign countries are much
higher than last season. When we
ask why this should be, we get no an
swer. We know that trusts and rings
can be formed in Europe as easily as
in this country we know1, also that
monopolists, and gamblers of both
countries can easily combine to raise
the price of these goods. We have
seen nothing, either from the manu
facturers, the importers .or the dealers
in these goods, attempting to explain
the matter. Hence, we conclude that
it is another game for robbing the
cotton and tobacco farmers of the
South. Whether this be true or not,
the fact remains that this advanced
price, from whatever cause,, will cost
the farmers of the South not less than
$,000,000, of- which the North Caro
lina farmers will pay not less (if they
use the usual amount of. -fertilizers)
than $300,000. Will their lands
make more cotton per acre this year
than they did in 1888 ? Will they
get a higher price for the cotton when
made ? No. Then bow can the farmer
afford to buyv these fertilizers at the
advanced prices ? We do not believe
he can do i,t and we believe he ought
not to do it. We are glad to see the
Alliances throughout our State and
the States of South Carolina, Georgia,
Alabama' and Mississippi, discussing
this important matter, and that they
are resolving that they will have some
voice in it.
It has been our sincere conviction
for years that our farmers are wasting
millions of dollars a year in the use of
fertilizers. Let them resolve to grow
less cotton and tobacco, to use less
commercial fertilizers, to raise more
grass, more grain and more stock, and
improve their farms.
To have a prosperous farm they
must have manure, to have manure
they must have stock, and to have
stock they must have plenty of prov
ender for it.
Let the Alliances all over the South
adopt this policy and it will not be ten
years before we will see and feel its
happy results.
We can do without commercial fer
tilizers, and before our farmers will
submit to a robbery, they should re
fuse to use a single pound.
WHO TAKES THE BET?
One of the leading farmers of the
State offers the following: "I will
wager a glass of cider that no Alliance
man will be on the Railroad Commis
sion." " 1 will wager a dozen apples
that every Commissions will be a resi
dent of an incorporated town.''
I will wager a pound of smoking to
bacco that if one lives outside an in
corporated town that he will be one
who has practiced some profession be
sides that of farming."
THE VOTE.
We learn that the publication in
The Progressive Farmer of the names
of the gentlemen who voted for Capt.
Alexander for United States Senator
in the caucus, gave offence to some of
those who did not vote for him. We
entirely fail to see how the publication
of these names should concern any but
the gentlemen themselves. rbr Tiow-itf
possibly could do anyone injustice If
anyone is offended because his name
could not appear in the list, he should
remember that it was his fault, not
6urs. And if he feels aggrieved be
cause we published the names, we
hereby tender to him ample space in
our columns next week to vindicate
Himself.
We have had at the head of the edi
torial columns of this paper for
months, the announcement to bur read
ers that we would publish all the votes
of importance in the Legislature, in
which they were directly interested,
and as a faithful friend of the people
and as an honest journalist we intend
to do so " without fear, favor or affec
tion." Public officers and legislators
must remember that they are public
servants and that their official acts are
public property and the people have
the unquestioned right to know what
is their official record.
THE WILLIAM ANDREWS FUND
The Progressive F-'rmer has re
ceived from Chalk Level Alliance the
sum of 25 cents to jgo to the fund for
the relief of brother William Andrews,
of Piney Plain Alliance, who had the
misfortune to lose his right arm re
cently in a cotton gin. These brethren
request that every Alliance in the
State contribute the same amount to
the fund. Col.. Julian Allen, of Iredell
county, send 8 us his check for $5.00
to be added to this fund, and says:
"Havmg this day read in your paper
the resolution of Piney Plain Alliance
requesting Sub-Alliances of Wake
county to help our unfortunate Bro.
William Andrews, who lately lost one
of his arms through a deplorable acci
dent, and who is the sole support of
his mother, I respectfully move to
amend the resolution (with a second,
my check for $500) so as to ask. each
Sub-Alliance in , the State to help
JBro. Andrews., and place him in a
position that .will enable him to sup
port himself and those dependent upon
him:" . : -
THE EMPTY SLEEVE AND THE
WOODEN LEG.
A Great State Love-Feast.
The gathering of the old veterans
in this city last week was an occasion
which will be long remembered
throughout the State. We greatly
regret that we cannot give a faithful
and full account of the proceedings of
their meetings, of the many touch
ing and beautiful incidents that tran
spired, of their great meeting in
Commons Hall, the soul-stirring
speeches and the cordial welcome with
which the hearts and homes of our
citizens, male and female, great and
small, greeted them. Raleigh did her
self great honor in tlras honoring these
noble old heroes, and her only regret
is that she could not have done more
for their pleasure and happiness. It
was a sight, tojnelt the most callous
heart when over one hundred and
fifty of these"1 war:marked heroes
marched up Fayetteville street to the
Capitol to pay their respects to Gov
ernor Fowle. They were most warmly
received by his Excellency, aided by
his Staff, State officers, his charming
daughters arid several other ladies.
It was a touching scene and the great
fountain of the heart was filled to the
brink. On Tuesday night a great
mass convention was held in Commons
Hall. The old veterans, escorted by
the Governor's Guard and the Wake
County Survivors' Association, headed
by a drum corps,, marched in and took
seats that had been reserved for them.
The meeting was called to order by
L. L. Polk Chairman of Committee
on Programme, 'who introduced Mr.
J. S. Carr, of Durham, who was chosen
by the veterans as their chairman.
Addresses were made by J. S. Carr,
Col. T. C. Fuller, Gov. D. G. Fowle,
Capt. C. B. Densoh, Capt. ' W. H.
Kitchen, Mr. C. B. Watson, Col. E.D.
Hall, Gen. T. L.'Clingman, CoLW.h!
S.. Burjwyi Mr L. , Polk, .Col. B.
3S. Beasley; and Senator W. H. Lucas.
Tho following resolutions, were intro
duced by Col. Bt'P. Hall and unani
mously adopted:
i Resolved, That the committtee of the
yeteran soldiers of North Carolina do
respectfully but most earnestly petition
the General Assembly of North Caro
lina to add. five per cent to the annual
tax levy for the purpose of adding to
and extending, the, pension list of dis
abled soldiers and the widows of dis
abled soldiers. J '
Mesolved further, - That this conven
tion take such steps as may be neces
sary to organize a permanent associa
6f Veteran ex-Confederate Soldiers of
North CaroUnal .
I The hall, was .crowded to its utmost
capacity with ladies and gentlemen,
and almost as many were turned away
for want of room.
. "The Confederate Veterans' Asso
ciation of North Carolina" was or
ganized. President, J. S. Carr, of
Durham; Secretary and Treasurer, W.
C. Stronach, Raleigh.
We trust the Legislature will do
what it can for these noble men and
the widows and children of their dead
comrades. No men have ever held
a higher claim on the patriotism and
generosity of their State. Let it be
met in a manner that will do honor to
our State. They entered her service
in the pride of vigorous manhood.
They dared and suffered for her name.
For a quarter of a century they have
suffered arid toiled and' struggled
how hard no one can tell and all
without murmuring, without complain
ing and now with whitened locks they
stand on the "western slope in the
glowof the coming sunset and 'for the
first time they turn with filial confi
dence to their old Mother State and
ask her only to support their tottering
footsteps as they shall descend into
the misty shades of the valley, below.
May the State befriend them and may
God bless them I .:!. '
A SUGGESTION.
We note that the farmers in the
Legislature of Tennessee, now in ses
sion, hold meetings to discuss and con
sider matters of legislation and espe
cially such matters as relate directly
to the interests of agriculture in their
State. We regard this as wise action
for very many reasons and we respect
fully suggest some such course to the
farmers of our Legislature. If they
expect to accomplish any results of
general good to the State, or to pass
such measures as will promote the in
terests of agriculture they should get
together and discuss them thoroughly
and mature them with deliberation,
and understand each other. This can
not be done without frequent and free
interchange of views. As our Legis
lature is largely composed of farmers
and will therefore be held responsible,
especially for all mistakes, these gentle
men should know and understand each
others views on questions of general
interest before they are introduced for
action. Again we say that the farm
ers of the Legislature will be held re-,
sponsible before the people for any
mistakes made and they should be
very careful.
THAT LECTURE.
The Asheville Citizen of the 22d inst.,
in the most admirable temper proceeds
to read Senator Ransom a lecture on
his duties as one of the Representatives
of this old commonwealth. It tells him
that " for a great while he has been
silent in the Senate silent when he
should have spoken silent when his
great colleague was struggling like a
Titan with the enemies of the South."
It tells him that the people expect him
to do "something more than secure
appropriations for rivers, creeks, light
houses, oyster surveys and the like
something more than merely casting
his vote On pending bills." It tells
him that the people expect him make
the Senate Halls ring with his elo
quence "to meet and match the ene
mies of the South " " to do battle for
her with all his power of argument"
rthat they expect " him to speak out
boldly, freely on the great questions
of the day," &c, &c.
We hope the Senatorial not be dis
turbed by this good-natured joke of
our genial and pleasant contemporary,
and that he will go along " in the even
tenor of his way," for we think we can
safely assure him that the people do not
expect anything of the kind of him.
' G. N. Stafford, of Clover Orchard
Alliance, AlTamance county, which
was organized the 20th day of last
December, says in a letter to the
editor: "Six. months ago, in this
vicinity the Farmers' Alliance was
loo led upon distrustfully, the farmers
fearing it would prove a dangerous
movement, but to-day it is very, differ
ent. They see it is for them, and they
realize that they must co-operate for
self-protection. I believe that the
time will soon come when every man
who can, will join the Alliance.
THE PROGRESSIVE FARMER
THINKS.
That we should have a Railroad
Commission.
That the State should work its con
victs on the public roads.
That the State should sell the Gov
ernor's Palace.
That a man who can and will not
aid in supporting the government
should not be allowed to shape its
policy by his vote.
That no State official or legislator
should be allowed to ride on the rail
roads with free tickets or free passes.
That the jurisdiction of Magistrates
should be enlarged.
That the homestead law should be
so modified as to make it a blessing
and not a curse to the poor people of
the State.
That we should have a cheaper rate
of interest on money.
That the present legislature should
not levy or appropriate one single dol
lar' beyond that which is absolutely de
manded by the actual necessities of the
State.
That the farmers will be held res
ponsible for any and all mistakes which
may be committed by the present legis
lature. That the farmers of North Carolina
and of the South are iri a more de
pressed condition than ever before, and
that their condition is growing worse
every year.
AN OLD CAMPAIGN LIE.
A Railroad Commission is all the
talk, and Capt. S. B. Alexander is
spoken of as Chairman, but how can
that be, when (as we are informed) he
is a large stockholder in one of those
" accursed corporations ?" . But if this
be true, Capt. Alexander will hardly
think of accepting the position, if
tendered. Maxton Union.
Panoplied in the solid armor of
truth and honor and noble manhood,
Capt. Alexander, the sterling leader
of the Alliance in this State, can afford
to smile at the puerile efforts of cl ema-"
gogues to impair his strength with the
people. But it is only a part of the
desperate game that is deliberately
planned to keep him or any other
farmer from holding " any position
higher than that of a legislator."
When his name was before the people
as a candidate for Governor, it was
charged that he favored " the imme
diate abolition of the homestead," that
he was the father of the stock law,"
that he was a fanatical prohibition
ist," that he " killed the Railroad Com
mission bill in the last Legislature,"
that he was a " large stockholder in a
railroad." These falsehoods had the
desired effect and defeated him.
When his name was presented for the
U. S. Senate these slanders were
again repeated and it was thought a
proper thing to strengthen them by
adding that ho " is a nabob, rides out
everyday in liveried style, is Presi
dent of a bank and don't notice com
mon people."
Now some politician who is pro
foundly concerned; lest then name of
Capt. Alexander should be pu on the
Railroad Commission,' comes forward 1
with this old campaign falsehood, that
" he is a large stockholder in one of
the railroads." This vis one of the
offices, which " by Divine right," be
longs only and exclusively to the favored
few in North Carolina; . hence Capt..
Alexander must not be placed on thej
Commission. But there is a deeper
significance in this covert attack it is
intended to impair the confidence of the
Alliance men in their , President. But,
" Cease viper, you knaw a file."
We are authorized to brand the re
port as an unqualified falsehood. The
Progressive Farmer does not know
whether he would accept the position
if tendered, him, but it does know that
he is in every sense worthy of this or
any other position for which his name
has been mentioned.
5TFor other editorial matter see
third and sixth pages.