North Carolina Newspapers

' ,u " " ' ' THE INDUSTRIAL AND EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS OP OUR PEOPLE PARAMOUNT TO ALL OTHER CONSIDERATIONS OP STATE POLICY. RALEIGH, N. C, NOVEMBER 19, 1889. No. 41 Vol. 4. V. 5 f DIRE GANIZATIONS. KOUB OABOLI5A FARMERS STATU ALLIANCE. icident-Elias Carr, Old Sparta, .C. S&nt-A. H. Hayes, Bird- v-L L. Polk, Raleigh, N. 0. S!creta2Hj D Allen, Falls, 3. 0. SSES Long, Longs, N C. ilsSLecturer-K B. Hunter, Char- l0Cha?ainr. J. Scott, Alfordsville, Nbo'or Keeper-W. H. Tomlinson, Fay- -tSM" Soor Keeper-H. E. King, PtnrgeantaCtlArms. 8. Holt, Chalk SttteSiness Agent-W. H. Worth, mstee Business Agency Fund W. A. Graham, Machpelah, N. C. XiECirriVB COMMITTEE OF THE NORTH CARO LINA FARMERS' STATE ALLIANCE. S. B Alexander, Chariot' e, N. C, Chairman; J. M. Mewborne, Kinston N. 0.;.S. Johnston, RuffinrN. C. OEHCEKS OF THE VIRGINIA STATE ALLIANCE. President G. T. Brbee, Bridgewater, Ta. Vice-Pres'dent tfaj. Mann Page, Brandon, Va. . Secretary J. J. Silvey, Arnissille, Va. Treasurer Isaiah Printz, Stonyman, Y Lecturer J. D. Shepperson, Smithville, Ta. Assistant-Lecturer P. H. Strode, Step hen City, Va. Chaplain Wm. M. Rosser, Luray, Va. Doorkeeper B. Frank Beahen, Kim ball, Ya. . . , Assistant-Doorkeeper, O. E. Brubaker, Luray, Va. Sergeant-at-Arms Milton Pence, For estville, Va. State Business Agent S. P. A. Bruba ker, Luray, Va. m t, , Ch'mn Ex. Com. B. T. Brumback, YUda, THE STATE LECTURER IN MA CON COUNTY. Franklin, N. C, Nov. 5, 1889. Mb. Editor: Col. ThosrB. Long, Lecturer of the State Farmers' Alli ance, together with Gen. R. B. Vance, were announced to speak at a number of points in this portion of the State. Gen. Vance's many personal friends were pained to learn that he was prevented from meeting with us on Account of sickness. Col. Long, however, arrived on the day ap pointed. The beautiful day and the very large assemblage of the farmers of the county, were harbingers of a good time lor the order. One could not fail to note the eager and expectant expression on the faces of our good farmers as they came pouring in from every quarter. The interest felt was shown by the rush to the court house on the ringing of the bell. The large court room was soon well filled with as respectable and intelligent a "body of farmers as could be assem bled, perhaps, in the State. I rresident Ammons, of the Macon I Countv Alliance, was in thft chair. iAiajrer Demg onerea Dy rtev. Morgan, JCounty Organizer, Col. .Long was il ml.. J J l i "iuuuucea, ana ior more man two hours held the undivided atten tion of his audience, although suffer ing very much from hoarseness, the result of speaking in the open air to large assemblies for days in succession. It would not be fair to the Colonel for the writer to attempt anything fcore than the mere outline of his able address. He showed in the outset toat the Farmers Alliance is non partisan m all its aims and teachings, Jen of all political faiths could and hd belong to the order, no man's religious creed was a passport or a oar to admission, a belief in a Su preme Being alone being demanded M all. Its highest aims are to im. prove the condition nf 1 mentally, morally, socially and finan- He showed further the necessity of organization as a means of protection against the remorseless trusts and money combines springing up all over Jfe land thereby controlling legisla aon, State and National in th est of the few and against the great 2? ? the. laborers. He showed that "uue in cities and towns are grow S rich the conntrv i . - . ao uwuming rrer. In a sm? a cmmi according to Mr. Grady, of the tion the towns were sixty ns richer and the country fifty Jons poorer, and that this was a sample of the country at large. iabf6 onl7 a few of the topics gooduced by Mr. Long. They were Roughly discussed in a. fair and C TV 7' an? Save great satisfac- . w me inends of the Farmers' iosuna wm ue seen m ou; t quarterly report to the State Alh V Col. Long shows by his manif that he is thoroughly in earnest in his advocacy of our principles. His language is strong and forceful, his arguments logical and convincing. Excuse this Long article. Nicanob. RESOLUTIONS OF THE BURKE COUNTY ALLIANCE. Chambers, N. C, Oct. 29, '89. Mb. Editob: Please publish the following resolutions which were passed at the county meeting of Burke Farmers' Alliance, at Rutherford Col lege Oct. 4th, 1889: Whereas, The farmers of Colum bus, in convention 'with the other Sab-Alliances in quarterly meefipg assembled at Gilboa .School House, Jan. 5, 1889, did petition theliegisla ture of North Carolina to enaoi a Jfayr establishing a railroad commission"; and whereas, our representative: J; H. Hoffmao, did, and our Senators Briggs and' Blair did not, vote for said bill; therefore be it . Resolved, That we thank our Repre sentative Hoffman for voting for said commission. Resolved, That we are unqualifiedly opposed to the way our Senators Briggs and Blair acted in the late Legislature, who, forgetting that there were other people in this world be sides the railroad king3 and magnates, forsook their constituents, the farm ers, and went over to the great foe of labor capital. Resolved, That this is all their fault, but if they Briggs and Blair ever get to vote down another railroad commission bill, then it will be our fault. Resolved, That hereafter we, the members of each Sub-Alliance, and Burke CouBty Alliance, will enter the primaries o all political parties and see to it that men who are in favor of said railroad commission, and the farmers' interests generally, will be nominated, so that, whether a Demo crat or a Republican is elected, we will have a railroad commission in North Carolina. Resolved, That we propose to give the regular politicians a long rest in the quiet shades of the forgotten past by substituting men who will vote without taffy. Resolved, That a copy of these reso lutions be sent to The Progressive Farmer, Country Homes and Morgan ton Star for publication. C. Houk, Pres. S. M. Asbury, Sec'y. FROM PERQUIMANS COUNTY. Durant's Neck Alliance, No. 1,110, October 28, 1889. Mr. Editor: We expect soon to add to our membership abous fifteen females. Our Alliance has not, until recently, seen the necessity of having our lady friends . united with us, but now we see the great necessity of their aid in this work of reformation and we propose to bring them in at once. We fear that the healthfulness of our eastern counties has been badly misrepresented in the West. Our Alliance was organized the 17th of August, 1888, and we have had only two deaths, and one of those was an old man who was very infirm. We have a fine farming country here in the east, where fish and oysters abound, and we have more advantages and fewer disadvantages than any other part of the State, we think. We have but little sickness, and what we do have is not of a serious nature. Many thanks to Bro. Tracy for his visit to us at the Farmers' Alliance Fair at Elizabeth City on the 17th of October. The public speech which he delivered at the Fair was rich and made up of facts and information which many of our Alliance brethren had not heretofore known; and it was highly appreciated by the large and attentive audience of ladies and gen tlemen, among whom were many of our professional and business men. The private speech which he delivered at the court house in the evening to the members of the Farmers' Alliance, was full of information and enthusi asm. - And now we move onward as on a new era amid all of our disad vantages. Brethren, there is a great and noble work before us. Thou let us gird on our armor of unity and harmony and resolve anew to work out the great problems of the future welfare of our Alliance and our coun try, as our aims are high and our pur poses noble; let us ever keep i.-foro us and in our minds the golden rule as delivered to us by our Supreme Ruler: To do unto others at -.)i times as we would have them to do unto us. We feel a great interest in t!ie State Agency, and I hope to see every mem. ber of our Alliance contribute to that fund this fall. While our crops are short, we hope to be able to do our whole duty at all tines. I will now close for the present by saying may the Lord bless our leaders-and give them grace to sus tain them in all their duties of this life. May The Progressive Farmer and its able editor live on and live out a long and happy life and reap a rich reward for his labors in this life, and when our life-work is ended here may we all be enabled to exchange our labors and cares of tnis life for joys unspeakable and full of glory around our Father's throne in Heaven. Fraternally yours, H. M. Spencer. MECKLENBURG LETTER. Oak Grove Alliance, No. , Mecklenburg Co., Nov. 5, '89. Mr. Editor: Heretofore the mem bers of Oak Grove Alliance have been content to work and say nothing, but now we want to see our name in The Progressive Farmer jusi to see how it looks, if nothing else. But behind this there is the desire to reach out and join hands with the thousands of honest yeomen all over North Caro lina who are fighting the same enemy that assails us, confident that in such union there is renewed strength for ourselves, and at the same time it may be encouragement for others. So with these motives clearly before us we ask for a little space in your valuable paper. Our Alliance has about sixty mem bers, including the ex-President of the State Alliance, and the originator of a plan, according to which the farmers throughout the South have been instructed to handle their cotton during this season, a plan which, if followed, would save to the farmers $48,000,000 annually. Of course we are proud of these men. Besides we glory in the fact that our membership is composed of honest men who while working hard and living close, join heartily in the mighty contest to break the galling fetters of oppressive combines. The men of Mecklenburg have already written one Declaration of Indepen dence, and now for a second time they fight the good fight for freedom, with truth for their watchword, and the friends of truth all over our coun try for their allies, and who dare say they will not prevail? We believe in the importance of the business agency fund, and besides a subscription of $25 by the Alliance, individual members have subscribed and will subscribe onough to swell the amount probably.to $100., Our attendance is very good, and the meeiings usually are interesting. We expect to have at our next meet ing an instructive discussion on the all important subject, " The best way of increasing and saving barnyard manures." We may have something further to say then. At present we will cease to try your patience. W. C. D. LE TTER FROM GUILFORD. Shady Grove Alliance, No. 1,448, Guilford County, Nov. 5, '89. Mr. Editor: Oar Alliance was organized in December, 1888, with six or seven charter members; we now number something over fifty, with some to initiate at our next meeting. We have contributed and forwarded $10 to' the State business agency fund, and I hope that the fund will be completed at an early date. If it is not I am sure there are some in our Allia?ice who are able and will contribute mc re yet, as we have as good a set of members as the coun try affords. The worst thing against them is carelessness in attending our regular meetings, and that brings me to a resolution which is as follows: Whereas, The attendance upon our regular and called meetings have been small, therefore be it Resolved, That when a member cannot attend at a regular stated meeting they are required to send a written excuse for their absenc t. . We are not much on resolving, but the above seems to me would be a good one for all lodges, or one similar. . We are not in a cottonxountry at all, but we rejoice with those who are over the downfall of the J ute Bagging Trust, and are working to accomplish the destruction of all trusts of what ever nature they may be that try- to oppress the downtrodden sons of toil. Wishing you and The Progressive Farmer much success snd long life, I am, Fraternally yours, K. iLt. rioDGiN, Lecturer, j TRUSTS AND MONOPOLIES. Federation of CapitalistsThe Central ization of Industries. How) Factories May he Closed and StocTc- holders Get Dividends Production Cheapened and Prices Incrased. From the Baltimore Sun.1 - NUMBER VI. What, then, is a trust ? Not every device or scheme by which competi tion transmits itself into combination, but actually speaking such as are built upon the general lines sketched in my former papers. The trusts examined are types of which we have secured authentic photographs, and from these we may judge all others, for while their features differ as becomes sisters, the general family likeness is unmis tikable. According to these types, a trust is an "arrangement" under which parties engaged in the inde pendent and competing pursuit of the same line of business consolidate their properties, their business and their skill into one great organization, whose control and management are vested in a small central committee or board. ; HOW TRUSTS ARE FORMED. The general and approved method of forming a trust is as follows: The several concerns or companies become-corporations, if they are not such already. The owners of the shares of stock in these corporations transfer all their stock to a small num ber of trustees, generally selected from the chief stockholders in the several companies. These trustees thus become the stockholders of all the companies, possessing as to each one the legal power and authority which belong to the stockholders of any corporation. They elect its offi cers and receive all its divends. By previous 'agreement a capitalization is agreed upon for the entire organiza tion that may be increased as new members enter, which generally repre sents not only all the properties put into it&ut a liberal addition of.. water. For this capital certificates of shares in the "trust" are issued and appor tioned in the quotas agreed upon to the several companies for distribution to the former stockholders in the same, according to their respective amounts of stock held therein. The several companies preserve their iden tity and continue their business, each under its separate and independent management at least in theory paying their respective net earnings toithe trustees, who receive and dis tribute them to the certificate-holders, who are now no longer stockholders in any particular company, but share holders in all. SUBTLETIES OF THE ARRANGEMENT. This " arrangement," as it appears on its face, would seem to contemplate nothing more ' than a general pooling of earnings or profits in the hands of a committee for distribution upon a common basis, while every company pursued, as before, its own business career, for the trustees, being simply the common stockholders of ; these companies, can exercise their authority but once a year at the annual elec tion of officers, displacing an unsatis factory or continuing a satisfactory management. But here appears one of the subtleties of the trust. In the board of directors of each one of the corporations will appear enough of the trustees to control its manage ment. In all the deeds made public, and especially in that of the sugar trust, the power and authority of the trustees are left conveniently indefi nite, appearing to be just what the law vests in the stockholders of a corpora tion. It was proved that these trus tees had meetings, but kept no minute of their proceedings, had no office or known place of business, but gathered informally at the place of busi ness of any member of "the board. It was difficult to elicit anything definite as to these gatherings. A president of two of the sugar refining companies, who is also a trustee, denied that any vote was had, any action taken or any order given for the shutting down of refineries, the controlling of produc tion, the rising or lowering of prices. In his word 8, the trustees 11 just felt each other," but took no action; hence there was no necessity for keeping minutes, all of which looks merely like "passing the time of day" be tween the individual stockholders in a number of joint ventures. But the fact that these trustees were also officers in the several com panies, and their meeting in the guise of trustees or stockholders was really a meeting of actual managers of the companies, will show thatt was only necessary for them " to feel each other," without formal vote or minute, to know what should be done as to running or shutting down each re finery, depressing or raising prices, and like vital matters, which the trus tees, as trustees, indignantly deny their doing or ever intending to do. CENTRALIZATION OF INDUSTRIES. Omitting this last feature and tak ing' the trust scheme in its general outline, it might really seem, as its friends and defenders are claiming, but another and healthy step in the concentration of industry in great establishments instead of small ones. This is one of the most familiar and significant tendencies of our day. The small mill, the local factory and the individual capitalist have vanished. In their placeiand out of the ruin have grown up Hge establishments at favorable pointjfor production and distribution anogreat corporations. This is largel tfue to the mechani cal inventions -rwliich have replaced and indefinitely outstripped human labor, the use of steam power, and the marvelous development of our transportation system, not omitting the still more marvelous advance of science. With greater command of capital come better administration, more minute economy, superior facili ties for buying, and selling, the in creased skill and production that re sult from the specialization of labor, and the quick adoption of every im proved invention and process. Prices have been diminished to the consumer not only by reason of con stantly cheapening cost of production, but because the producer has been compelled to content himself with a narrow margin, of profit. This com pulsion has been two-fold ; first, as the condition of securing the larger mar ket which he is obliged to have for his goods, and secondly, from the competition of rival producers. Now, the very object of the trust is to relieve him from this last , compul sion. Mr. F. B. Thurber, testifying as to the sugar trust, summed up the whole matter in these words: "A combination unquestionably can effect great economy. They can buy cheaper, work cheaper, and, if they choose, sell cheaper than scattered and disorgan ized forces." It is the chief purpose of the' trust to vindicate and make sure its right to " choose" the price at which it will sell its products, and only its minor object to effect that great economy which results from large production. Indeed, it cannot be truthfully said to aim at large pro duction, for the very mpde by which it seeks to secure this power of "choos ing" is through controlling and re pressing production. The public has received in the end, and generally very soon, the chief benefit of the skill and efforts of those who were bidding for its patronage. Through their rivalry it has secured the best service and the most reason able rates, while in every line of business those who could not offer it that service and those rates have prop erly gone to the wall. 4 The object of the combination ia not to give it the service of the best only, and relieve it from the support of all others, but to force it to put up with average service, and for this average service pay enough to support and afford profits to all. , HOW THE PEOPLE ABE SQUEEZED. "Have you made any money in your business in the last ten years ?" was asked of the head of the largest firm that went into the sugar trust. "Lots of it," was his prompt reply, while other refineries were singing a different tune. If, at market prices of sugar, his firm could make "lots of money," while other refineries were unable to work profitably, it was posi tive proof that the public was paying enough for its sugar, and those who could not furnish it at the prices then prevailing should have given place to those who could. But the trust threw upon the consumer the cost of support ing and maintaining all these refineries, some of them even in idleness. Can any one look at the phenom enal profits of these trusts in their brief history, so far beyond the ordi nary and legitimate profits of indus try as perhaps to call for some other name without knowing that whatever, economies have been effected by them, through larger production, better pro cesses and "a single, harmonious management," have Jeen entirely ap propriated to their own enrichment, and not as heretofore shared with the public ? It has been stated that the sugar trust has since its organization been able to refine sugar one eighth of a cent a pound cheaper than under the system of independent refineries before existing. If so, who has ap propriated all of it? The suear trust itself. One-eighth of a cent a pound meant to that combination from two to three million dollars. Wi did it go still further and add one-half a cent a pound to its profits through8 its power of "choosing" the price at which it would sell to the consumer ? Another declared object of the trust is to prevent the debasement of the quality and purity of its products through excessive competition. But it has not entirely eliminated the rivalry of the different companies ia the combination as to which will earn the largest dividends for the common purse, nor rooted out the desire of the combination itself to make the largest profits for its certificate-holders. But we do not need trusts for these purposes. Tho public can take care of itself. By its inspection laws and other familiar means it can 'protect itself from the fraudulent practices of those who refine its sugar or its oils, or in other branches supply its de mands. Wm. L. Wilson. FROM SAMPSON COUNTY. Hayne, Sampson County, N. C. Mr. Editor: -I was requested at the last meeting of our Alliance to write and let the brethren know what we are doing. The Alliance is moving on rapidly in this sec tion; it has some opposition, it is true, but what good thing has not ? But that only tends to make us more united, and to persevere in trying to promote the good of the farmer. The Alliance has already been of some pecuniary benefit to us, but we are, expecting more and greater profits from some measures that have been recently adopted for the good of the' farmers. But while this is all right, and as it should be, we must not for-, get that the Alliance is intended to do more and greater good for us than simply to put money in our pockets; it is also intended to elevate the mind and bring variety and brightness to. the rather monotonous life of the farmers. When we get our land im proved so we can get better returns with less acreage, then the farmer will have more time to make his home at tractive. Convenient out buildings neat fences, etc., are pleasant features of a farm, and if things are kept in' repair, with plenty smiling all around, we will hear less talk of dissatisfied boys going West, to Georgia or some where else to make their fortunes. Yes, a farm life can be made the hap piest life on earth. Nature is prodigal of blessings; we have only to look around us to feast our eyes on beauti ful things, and if we will cultivate' and educate our minds and hearts- to rightly appreciate them, how much more enjoyment they would afford us. It is the duty of those that have children to see that they have good instructors in the school room, but they will not receive much benefit from their efforts unles3 their parents take an interest in their progress. Home is the true school at last; the father's counsel and the mother's word of praise are remembered til through life, and has so much effect in shaping their course through life till it is never forgotten by them. How important, then, for parents to realize their responsibili:ies in the discharge of their duties to their children. This i3 the first time I have ever written anything for publication, and if it is publisheH 1 shall be sur prised. Fraternally yours, R. L. Butlek. ' THE FARMERS' ALLIANCE. The object of the Farmers' Alliance, expressed in one word is education, the word used in its best, purest and broadest sense; education that will reach from the cradle to the court, and will give us better homes, better schools, better politics, better legisla tion, and better administration of the laws; education that will give us bet ter methods in the home, on the farm, in the storeroom, in the market places; education that will do away with every species of gambling in the products of labor, that will give the fullest freedom for trade consistent with the general welfare; that will secure reasonable compensation for labor and fair profits on its produc tions; education that will give the :armer an even chance with his fellow citizen in every department of life and, work, thut will aid him in his farm work, in his business affairs, in trade, in politics, in law; education, briefly, that will build up agriculture on a high, broad level, where farmers shall be in all respects' abreast with the foremcst men of the time. 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