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Y TMS. BEO &E3SSIVE FARMER SEPTEMBER 10 , 1S9. .4- k ATTENTION, FARMERS. The Cfitton Crop , and the Supply of yt Bagging ' An Address to the Order at Large by C. W. Macune, President of the Nation al Farmers' Alliance and Co operative . Union of America. ' There is great necessity jdst at this - time for a thorough understanding on the part of every cotton-grower of the exact plans arid methods of the Alli ance for wrapping, handling, and sell ing the crop now about te be placed on tho market. Every member of the Alliance and Union in the cotton growing States is pledged by the ac tion taken at the last session of the National body to co operate in selling the crop, and they are expected to carry out such obligation- by holding themselves in readiness to obey the instructions "of the National cotton committee at a moment's notice. This shows the necessity of a perfect under standing and the importance of com- plete harmony of action. ""-It is no secret in commercial circles that the markets of the world have not for several years been so poorly stocked with manufactured -cotton goods at this season of the year, and it is also known that the mills are m possession of very little cotton from which' to manufacture. Tho stock of cotton on the markets at the various ports is generally of the less desirable grades and styles. ;New York, for example, is aid to have ten to fifteen thousand bales of cotton of such an in ferior quality that no person desires it and it is kept there as a menace to the future dealer who would attempt to exact delivery on a purchase of futures. The visible supply of last year's" crop is reported about 300,000 bales short of two years ago, but when the character of the supply and the certainty of a greater demand by the mills is taken into consideration, the deficiency it is fair to conclude, is at least double that amount, or 600,000 bales. vThe crop is not as large as has been reported. Besides the worms in some sections, they have had too much rain in many places east of -the Missis sippi In Texas the crop, reported at 2,000,000, will scarcely reach 1,500,. 000 bales, on-aocount of excessive rains damaging cotton in the bottoms in places followed by drought in sec tions. Altogether the outlook for total crop is no better than at this time in 1887. The farmers of this country will soon have in their possession about six millions of bales of cotton, which if they received pay for the labor ex pended in proportion to that received by teachers, doctors, lawyers, mer chants, insurance men and brokers, will have' cost them about 50 cents per pound; but if they only receive pay for their labor at the same rates paid such skilled labor as carpenters and other tradesmen their cotton would probably cost them 20 cents per pound or $100 . per bale, making the six mil lion bales worth $600,000,000. Of course no such price can be realized. It is simply cited as no more than just, if it could be obtained.. But the world demands this six million bales of cot ton for immediate consumption, and must have it. That is to say, the mills must, at the lowest estimate, have five hundred thousand bales of cotton per month lor the next twelve months. There are two ways in which the cotton-growers may turn it over to the consumer. V First, make all the haste possible to dump the whole pile into the hands of the speculators before it go'es up (as it always does later in the season), and thereby - enable-such - speculators to dribble it out to the in ills at the rate ef five hundred thousand bales per month, at an advance of from' $7 to ' $15per bale, or say a probable aver age of $8 per bale, or $48,000,000 on the lot. . : Second, having developed a short interest, keep it short throughout the year by only selling each month what the mills will actually need, and by that course secure to the farmer that $48,000,000, even if no higher prices . ensued than the speculators 'ould have made. Surely the latter plan must commend itself to the planter. It was estimated by a high authority several years ago (in 1882) that the demand of the world actually required 7,000,000 bales of cotton every year. Now, if the increased demand be only 10 per cent, the demand would be 7,700,000 bales, while this crop is only 6,800,000, leaving a deficiency : of 900,000 bales. " ' ;j In view of all this it is evidently, greatly to the interest of the cotton grower to be in no hurry to sell his cotton. - This ,is a-year in which all can well afford to wait for and govern themselves by the instructions from the cotton com mitteer which has the matter in charge. Why this iindue haste to get the first cotton wrapped and sold as early as possible? Such a course is" evidently to the interest of some one, but not to that of the planter. Some men seem to' deem it very im portant that they get bagging at once and sell their, cotton. .There are two classes .of... men who are delighted to see this sentiment, and who are inter ested in encouraging it, and these are, first, the jute men, who desire - anything to beat cotton bagging, and use this as a prize to induce some men to, use burlaps or Dundee cloth: and second, the cotton men -who have sold the cotton short and must have cotton to fill their contracts. These two classes are deeply interested in anything that will induce the planter to sell at once. The cotton man who has sold hort wants to fill before the rise; and the jute man wants to crowd the farmer to sell before he can get cotton bagging. There is another class of men who are terriDiy inguu ened lest the farmer will not sell his cotton in time to pay his merchant early, enough for the merchant to meet his maturing obligations on time, and as a consequence they claim that any delay in selling on the part of the farmers -.will - bankrupt all the merchants in the country. .They for get that the farmer . has for several years been accommodating the mer chant by .turning His cotton, loose as soon as gathered, regardless of price, until now the stomach argument is compelling him to look after his own financial interests, and for once to be just before he is so. generous. Be just to himself, his wife, and his chil dren before being generous to, the poor merchant. The merchant who is a friend to him will be glad to as sist him to hold until such time as he can get the best price, and will not join in with his enemies and try to make him surrender to the jute man and the gambler in futures. It would probably be best for the cotton-grower if he were irrevocably pledged to use cotton bagging and the mills made it so slowly that it would require till August, 1 8 9 0, to make enough to cover the crops. But such is not the case. The mills have the capacity to make enough to cover the crop by February, and it is not likely that members of the order will market near all the crop by that time. Brethren should get together in the subordinate organizations and com pare notes, and such as have obliga tions that must be. met before the cot ton can be sold should be assisted by those who are able, so that eam Sub Alliance or Wheel act as a unit to hold every bale of its cotton to the proper, time. Merchants to whom in definite obligations and crop mort gages will fall due should be notified early of the purposes of the order in the premises' so that they may prepare and assist in the effort. The question of tare is beyond the reach of Liverpool and American cot ton exchanges, and must be solved finally by justice. The mills want to- buy cotton and not bagging and ties, and whenever they learn that ,the white bales contain ten pounds more cotton than the brown bales, they will certainly pay aoout one dollar per bale more for them, and when a buyer can always sell a white bale for about a dollar more than a brown bale he will soon be compelled to make that difference in his purchases. This is plain, because two bales each, weigh ing 500 pounds, if one be wrapped in jute and the other in cotton, will not contain the same amount of cotton. The cotton-wrapped bale will contain about ten pounds the most. In conclusion, u is suggested that every member who has not placed his order for cotton bagging do so as soon as possible, and.then make his arrange ments to meet his obligations without selling his cotton, so that he may have plenty of time to wait, not only for the cotton .bagging, but after that comes, to wait for instructions from the National cotton committee. De mand on -every sale the eight pounds premium over the actual weight of the bale, unless the price is based on cotton as the standard and jute is docked eight pounds. In that case the premium could not be claimed, but when jute is the standard and the gross weight of a bale wrapped in cotton is 500 pounds, it should be set tled for as 508 pounds. Stick to cotton bagging. There is plenty of time for it before the spin ners come after your cotton. C. "W. Macuxe. - - AN ALLIANCE PICNIC. Cedab Fork Alliance, No. 358, Nelson; Durham County. Mr. Editor: You will release al low me space in your valuable paper xur a. it? w iiues cuuuermng our organi zation at Cedar Fork. We are tiow increasing : rapidly in n umber. We are aeterminen to ao our utmost for the progress and good of the order. : Our body, believfng in sociality and the example we might set for other Alliances of the State, and the good that might result therefrom, gave a picnic at Cedar Fork, Aug. 17, 1889, which" resulted in a errand jollification. -The spread was copious; several hundred ate and were filled. The ladies who were interested in their husbands and sweethearts tastes, certainly accomplished their purpose. Notwithstanding crops being very gloomy in this sectionof the State, we enjoyed the present, and trusted to Providence for the future. 't After which we listened to the ex cellent speakers who - were invited for tne occasion. The first, Hon. John T. Nichols, who forcibly spoke of the importance of organization - of the agricultural world, that all other classes of people were organized; that disorganization tended to ignorance and slavery. Its intentions were to teach truth, manliness and fidelity. And how to meet-the combinations and trust companies of our countrv. - The portion of his speech upon-the " cash system, ,r which the Farmers' Alliance all approve, was very impressive. He fthowed the' importance . of fanners trading on the cash system, and the disadvantage in trading on time, pay ing from 40 per cent, to 160 per cent, on the produce bought. - . Next speaker, Rev. P. H. Massey, whose eloquence held the audience spell bound for about fifteen or twenty minutes. His leading thoughf was the education of the farmer, physically, mentally and morally, in a sense to know his duty, and knowing do it.- We are living in a fast age, and our success as farmers depends, to a great extent, upon our Alliances. We are the Teading elements of the world. When we look at the growing city, the aspiring halls, the setherial-piercingp steeples, and view the merchant-ship which ploughs the oceans and seas of the world, -we can exclaim with one Ad united voice, " Well done, good and faithful farmer !" . Let us take hope; without it man is without energy. . If we would know all about the Farmers' Alliance, let us sink our shafts deep and strike the very corner-stone. Many will not join our order, knowing not its pur pose. If they examine themselves, they are, in their hearts, thorough Alliancemen. Now let us unite; "in union there - is strength." Some few join bur order and betray us, and yet x j i . iL.i. i we ao not aespair, jtuuwiug uuau wxieu Christ himself was in the world, one out of . twelve betrayed Him. I tell your reders we ; are advancing, cutting a littlerhere and there. Many of us are not afraid to venture m anything: except in wrong acts. May God show us the right and help us do it: Fraternally, A. J. WlATHERSPOOJT, Sec'y. v AN APPEAL TO EVERY COTTON -FARMER IN THE ALLIANCE.. . The National Cotton Committee of the National Farmers' Alliance held a meeting in the city of Atlanta, Ga., on the 28th ult., and unanimously adopted the following resolutions: Resolved, That the National Cotton Committee recommend that the farm ers of the South shall sell no cotton during the month of September, ex cept what maybe absolutely necessary to meet the obligations which are past due. Resolved, That the National Cotton Committee instruct the President of each primary . Alliance, Wheel or Union, or some person appointed by him, to meet the President or Secre tary of . his County Alliance, Wheel or Union, on Saturday, the 28th of September, at the county site, for the purpose of receiving further instruc tions from the National Cotton'Com mittee. . ; 4. ' : , . ' Resolved, That each State Secretary of every State be charged with the duty of placing these resolutions im mediately before the respective Coun ty Presidents in every county Jn his State, and charge all expenses of printing and postage to the National Alliance. Resolved, That , every farmer -be urged to exercise special care and cau tion in sheltering and protecting his cotton in bales from damaging, weather and also from lying on the ground. Resolved, That every newspaper in the South in sympathy with the inter ests of the farmers is revuested to publish these resolutions. - r- R. J. Sledge, Chairmau, Kyle, Texas. A. T. Hatcher, Grand Cane, La. W. R. Lacy, Winona, Miss. S. B. Alexander, Charlotte, N. C. L. P. Featherston, Forest- City, Ark. t - M. L.. Donaldson, Greenville,-S. C. W: J. Northern, Sparta, Ga. R. F. Kold, Montgomery, Ala. B. M. r Hord, Nashville, Tenn. As will be seen by the second reso lution, each President of the Subor dinate Alliances is requested to meet (or appoint some one to meet) the President ond Secretary of his County Alliance at the county site on the 28th inst., for the purpose of receiving further instructions. This Committee is well informed as to the situation, and it will have, highly important in formation to impart to the Order on that day. Let each Sub-Alliance and County Alliance give the Committee their cordial and ready co-operation." In this great matter let us be a! unit. L. L. Polk, -- Secretary N. C. F. S. Alliance. THE BUSINESS AGENCY. Hawlet's Store, Sampson Co., N. C.,: ; Aug. 24, 89. . Mr. Editor: It has been some time since I attempted to write a word for publication in your valuable and much esteemed paper. x have been content to read the communications of wiser heads and abler pens, but as some , of the brethren are , grumbling, if you will be so kind as to give space, I .will attempt to give you a few dots that the brethren may know that South River Alliance still lives. We do not pass many resolutionSj but we are a unit with the Alliance brotherhood on all the great questions that are how agitating and claiming the united action of the agricultural classes . of our people. We have contributed $55 to the State agency fund. We number 37 male members, and J am sure that according to our ability we have done as much as any Alliance in my knowledge. But the question is, why is the fund not Taised, who is it that belongs to this great order who cotdi not spa e cne dollar : to this grand and noble purpose? And with one dollar from each : male member the agency would be placed on a solid basis. Brethren, O brethren, let us make up and if you have not already done so, cast in your mite at once that the agent's hands may be loosed, that the great work may move on and not be hindered and hampered for want of funds. Several of our members take and read The Progressive Farmer and they are becoming . educated in the principles of our noble order, and there are no' weak-kneed members among those who read the State and National organs, but they are to be found among , the ignorant and unin formed; and now, in conclusion, I would say to the brethren be not too hasty in looking for results, but let us be true to our principles, ever con tending for the right and we may yet hope to see the time when bribery, fraud and corruption "shall cease in the land, and when the honest senti ment of the people dictated by the Holy Spirit of God shall be the ruling power in this beloved land. Then and not till then may we expect to see men sent to our legislative halls who will do ajl in their power to make just and wholesome laws to. govern our people. Then may we hope to see trusts and combines cease and honesty and good government prevail through out the" land. I close by saying hurrah for The Progressive. Farmer and National Economist. Fraternally,,, . . S. B. Page, Sec. LETTER FROMMITCHELL COUNTY. Alliance No. 1,698, Brummett's Creek, N. C, ; - , : Aug. 19, '89. Mr. Editor: As a co-worker in the Alliance . cause, I write to say that it has done and is doing a vast amount of good in this county. It has brought goods .lower than was ever known before. The Sub Alli ances have united' and are -buying their goods from two merchants in this county. When we made the trade arrangement with the merchants referred to tjiere was a man who affirmed that he would burst the Alli ance or himself, and he tried it, but he couldn't ' get there Eli. He is keeping store in his shirt sleeves now to keep cool. Some of them have been standing on their heels about the Alliance but they have got so now that they can stand fiat-footed. The Alliance is the best organization that was ever gotten up and our fellowiarmers who still stand aloof admit the fact that we have accomplished some good, and that if we continue in the future as in the past, a great change will be effected. Nctfw, brethren, let us see that we are not disappointed . in.our expectations. Let us press on with vigor and a determination to effect the noble purpose of our order, at the same time being guarded and cir cumspect It is better to dp little and be certain we are right than to do much and have it to change. Mind, it has been predicted by. many that our organization will be a failure; that it will be an impossibility for the farmers to agree and have concert of action. Many of our merchants . feel and believe that the reduction in prices of supplies is only temporary, that it is only a panic and will be of short duration. Some have gone so far . as to say that they will either break or burst the Alliance. Breth ren, let us show the public that we have not grown so selfish and dis trustful of our fellow men that we fail to agree and co-operate for our mutual benefit and for the general good of our common country; even if we had lost all fellowfeeling for 'each other, the times and existing circum stances would force us to. cultivate brotherly love and to act for mutual protection. - Let us show these mer chants, who are so outspoken and aro gant in their expressions, that they are kicking before they are spurred; that we wish them and all our fellow men well ; that we are - not arrayed against any class or profession, but that we arejorganizeeff or the protection of ourselves as a class. Our aim is, and ever will be, to raise and elevate the farmer from the slough of "despond into which he has fallen by reason of the oppression to which he has so long been subjected. , j Fraternally yours, ; f - - Gaston Hughes. - PITT COUNTY BRETHREN IN : SESSION. i . ' Mill Hill 'Alliance, No. 1;195, i ! .... : :, s Aug. 26, 1S89. ;'. ! -Mr. Editor:1-At a regular meeting of Mill Hill Alliance,6n the 3d Satur day in August, the following resolu tions were unanimously adopted and we ask for space to. publish the same in The Progressive Farmer: It being necessary, for all farmers throughout the South to promote the Birmingham resolution, therefore be it i Resolved, That we, the members of Mill Hill Alliance, will not patronize any merchant, corporation or organ ization of men who persist in dealing in-jute bagging for baling cotton, or any Other purpose. V Resolved, That if any member of - - - - this Alliance violate this pledge he shall be subject "to any penalty that the Alliance deems necessary." Resolved, That we request all Sub Alliances of the county to adopt this or similar resolutions. 4 . ' . ' Resolved, That a copy - of this be forwarded to The- Progressive Farmer. " - - We also appeal to the farmers who are not members of the Farmers' Alli ance to uphold these resolutions. At a meeting of the representatives of the twelve Southern States at Bir mingham, "Ala., it was unanimously resolved to use - bagging made of cot ton. The'object of this meeting was to cross the unjust: movements of the jute bagging trust, who have set their means, skill and ability to take away from the poor farmer millions of dol lars ' v' . -- ' ' ' -. ' ' ' " - The New "Orleans, New York and Liverpool cotton exchanges have agreed tto deduct tare so as to' m ake cotton equal to jute. This enables the farmer to compete with the trust companeis in every respect, and with little more vigor and push the jute bagging trust will droop their heads and ask to be pardoned for bringing such reproach upon our A merican citizens. We, the members -M the Farmers' Alliance, uphold the Birmingham resolution, and the trust has found it out. ' " ":: ' .. Now, in order to break us down, theltrust proposes to sell its bagging cheaper than ever, hoping that we are under no obligation to use cotton covering. Brother farmers, use the cotton bagging and let the exorbitant high-price jute trust go.N Now a word to the merchant: If you wish to sell your goods at a living per cent., you had better let the trust companies alone, for we are determ ined to purchase goods only from those-who will stand by and work in behalf of the farmer. v., My brethren, let us be up and do ing, for if we fail now, the future outlook will be more rigid than ever before. - . J. C. W., Sec'y. RAILROADS AND RAILROAD COMMISSIONS. x , ; No. in. - - -.(From Scotland Neck Democrat.) In describing the great evils which existed in the management of rail-4 roads at the time of the passage of the interstate commerce bill by Con gress, the interstate commerce com mission in their report say, amongst other things, that personal discrimi nation in rates was sometimes made under the plausible pretense of en couraging manufactories 6rt other industries. It was perhaps made a bargain in the establishment qf some new business or in its removal from one place to another that its proprie tors should have rates more favorable than were given to the public at large; and this, though really a public wrong, because tending , to destroy existing industries in proportion as it unfairly built up, others, was generally de-' fended by the parties to it on the ground of public benefit. Local discriminations, though not at first blush so unjust and offensive, have nevertheless been exceedingly mischievous, and if some towns have grown, others have withered away under thier influence. In some sec tions of the country if rates were maintained as they were "at the time the interstate commerce law took effect, it would have been practically impossible for a new town, however great its natural advantages, to ac quire the prosperity and the strength which would make it a rival of the towns which were especially favored in rates ; for the ; rates themselves would, establish for' it. indefinitely a condition of subordination and de pendence to "trade centers." The tendency of railroad competition has been to press the rates down and still further down at these trade centers, while the depression at intermediate points has been -rather upon business than upon rates. , In very many cases it has resulted in the charging of more for" a short than for a long haul on the same line in, the game direction; and though this has been justified by railroad managers as resulting from the necessities of the situation, -; it i is not to be denied that .the necessity has in many cases been artificially created and without sufficient reason. -. The inevitable result was that - this' management of the business had a direct and very decided . tendency to strengthen unjustly . Ihe strong among the customers and to , depress the weak, r These were very great evils, and the indirect , consequences were even greater and more pernicious than the direct, -for they, tended to fix in the public mind a belief that injus tice, and inequality, in the employment of public agencies were not condemned by the" law, and that success in busi ness was to be sought for in favorit ism rather than in. legitimate compe- Jition and enterprise. ; t ' The evils of free transportation of persons . were - not- less conspicuous than those which have been mentioned. This, where it extended beyond the persons engaged inrailroad service, was commonly "favoritism inf a most unjust and offensive form. -Free trans portation was given not only to secure business but io conciliate the favor of localities and of public bodies; and, while it was often demanded by per sons who had, or claimed to have, in fluence which was capablo l . made use-of to the prejudice 0f l?g uuttus, u, was aiso accepted public officers of ;all grades and A iicwcs ui ' Bcivwe. m these 1 cases the pass system was particnl. i obnoxious and baneful, for if anv turn was to be made or was exnZS,' of public officers, it was of someS1 which was not theirs to giVe fg which belonged to the public or t constituents. 10 A ticket entitling one to free d jj . a mi vt.i.cu Lume eifecH in enlisting the assistance an i sudtvT of the holder than its value in mon would have been, and in agreat ma cases it would be received andavaiS of when jthe offer of money, ma(je accomplish the same end, would ha been spurned as a bribe. Much 2 picion of public men resulted, was sometimes just, but also som times unjust, and cruel; and sornedt terioration of the moral sense of ft community, traceable to this caus6 was. una voidable while the abuse tinued. : The parties most frequent? and most largely favored were those possessing large, means and haviu? large business interests. The general fact came to be that in proportion to the distance they were carried those able to pay the most paid the least. One without means had seldom an ground on which to demand frej transportation, while with wealth he' was likely to have many grounds on which he could make it for the inter est of the railroad company to favor him, and he was sometimes favored with free transportation not onlyfor himself and his family, but for busi ness agents also, and even sometimes for his customers. The demand for free transportation was often in the nature of blackmail, and was yielded Jo unwillingly and through fear of damaging consequences from a refu sal. But the evils were present as much when it was extorted as when it was freely given. Stop, reader! Go back to the be. ginning of this article, and read it over again and then again, for almost every sentence deserves to be under scored and particularly impressed upon your memory. Remember that the interstate commerce com mission is composed of learned, patriotic and able men of national reputation; that these gentlemen: Thomas M. Cooley, William R. Morrison, Augustus Schoonmaker, Aldace . F.- Walker and Walter L. Bragg, all men, of integrity and ability and so regarded by all men, have thoroughly investigated this subject and know whereof they" speak. See what they say of the free pass system: " Particularly obnoxious and baneful;". ." a ticket entitling one to free passage by rail was often more effective in en listing the assistance and support of the holder than its value in money would have been, and in a great many cases it would be received and availed of when the offer of money, made to accomplish the same end would have been spurned as a bribe." For what purpose do the railroad mai.agers issue free passes to pur Congressmen, our Legislators, 'ova Judges, our Solicitors and our State officers ? 1 s it because these persons are any more entitled to free transportation than the hum blest and poorest citizen who helps to pay taxes to support the convicts that build and repair these railroads? Don't you know, my reader, that these passes are given to these public offi cers fox the purpose of obtaining their assistance in the performance of their official duties ? Do you suppose, or are you. so blind as to believe that these passes are given because of any personal regard ? Just ask yourself the question, every day for a week, and ask every man you -meet during that time, and if at the end of the week you still believe these passes are given for no sinister purpose, then, poor simple creature, l am sorry for youv. I ask every person who reads this article, every evening after sup per, as he sits on the porch enjoying himself with his family and his good neighbors .who have dropped in for social ;chat to discuss this question: Why is it' that our State officers, our Judges, our Solicitors, our Congress men, ; and our Legislators and the editors of newspapers, who ought to stand as beacon lights to give warn ing of the shoals and breakers, or as sentinels upon the watch tower to proclaim the approach of danger, all have free passe3 - on the railroads of the State? Let this be a subject of debate every where for the next weei and, 1 then tell me, if you can, one single honest motive which prompts the giving or these free passes. In tearing do wn an old building Hasohtpwn, Fayette county, one day this week a copy of ?the PhiladeJphi Gazette oi April 24, 1827, was found. Among other advertisements FrankliiJ & Armfield want 500 negroes of both sexes and will pay a higher price m cash than anybody else. In the court proceedings the judge sentenced man to the State prison for six months, and the prisoner s asked : " Could not your Excellency alter it to three months in one of ; the State vessels ? ' Charles A. Dana, editor of the Ne York ; Sun, who first conceived the idea of holding a World's Fair m America -in 1892, has been chosen president of tho New York's Worlds Fair Corninittee.
The Progressive Farmer (Raleigh, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Sept. 10, 1889, edition 1
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