Newspaper Page Text
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Jerald and Sfiqrfiscr.
Newnan, Ga., Friday, Nov. 25,1887.
WEEKLY CIRCULATION, 1,750.
JAS. E. BROWJf, fcr.JTOR.
'OiftT»«n$rg' Alliance vs. Toe JTew-
nan Merchants.
The following article appeared in the
Atlanta Constitution of the 18th inst.,
and is supposed to have originated with
.p^vNewnan correspondent of that jour
nal r
The monthly meeting of the Farm
ers’ Alliance assembled at the Court-!
house yesterday afternoon with closed I
doors. Their meeting and proceed-1
ings were kept a profound secret. ;
About two hundred members were j
present, half of whom were delegates
*Tom the various clubs in the county. I
Their meeting was not at all harmoni-!
ous. There is dissension in the ranks,
and, perhaps, like the grangers, they i
will soon disorganize. Their object, it j
id t9 drive out all competit ion by
electing one merchant in&tflwnto do j
all their buying, arid one warehouseman ;
ii sell then* cotton. One month ago j
h«y selected J. 15. Mount & Co., a j
-Jewish firm which has recently located ;
*Tel‘e, as their merchant, and G. A. !
Broom as their «ole, \van.*ii'op r 'e)v> trt j T > ,
Merchants who.haVe t'n-eii cai'i ; iiV> ' He •
l arv«erft from\eav to year foe'past i
tjnrwier of a century, ohd to whom the j
tartners were ihdjebVed tor this and last
year's* sit]felt cut by the deser-
t io;i of t heir f.inner customers, and r-s-
necjallv for going to another store and
paying cash while they were indebted
.<■ 11n in.
This brought about a conflict between j
merchants and farmers, and the result |
is both sides are putting on a bold front, j
i'iic merchants were forced to organize j
in self-defense, the object of which is to |
<ell no member of tin* Alliance except
for cash, and stop all credit to their
members. There, is certainly some
foundation for the grievances of the
farmers, but all their ills do not llow j
from the middlemen. It takes all the
oapital and credit of the merchants of !
Xewnan, Grantville and Senoia to carry j
she farmers annually, and there is now j
a half million dollars on the books of
the Xewnan merchants due by their
country customers.
All this trouble has been brought j
about by a man who says lie is from
Texas, and who has been in Georgia j
sinc e last,!une organizing new clubs. He j
gets from six to nine dollars for every
chili he organiies, and three dollars. ]
half i he fee of the local organizer, on)
all subsequent clubs. Since .Tune lie
has organized over one hundred such
•lulls in Georgia, getting at least SI,000
for t he same," without conferring any
material benefits. It is true he gives
them the pass-word and also the grip,
which admits members into tin* mystic
conclave, blit that is their chief bene
fit so far.
Every farmer with legislative or (.’on-!
gressional aspirations is prompt at all j
the meetings and loud in their denun- j
fiat-inns of the merchants. Their de- |
duration of principles would rival the I
creed of Mahomet and excite the envy
of Confucius in his dream of a perfect
state of felicity for mankind. It sounds
like* extracts from Plato and Socrates,
and fakes on the touch of the ideal. In
fact, their declaration of principles, If
carried out, would revolutionize our
entire system of government, shutting
out all competition, placing the com
merce between the producer and man
ufacturer in the hands of one man,
closing up all stores, save their own,
and settling all disputes by arbitration,
thereby compelling the lawyers to re
turn to the plow.
Everything is to be in common; the
misfortunes of one member shall be |
shared by all. They are to have better i
churches, better pastors, better school
houses and more efficient teachers
All legislation—State, county and na
tional—shall be fortheir exclusive bene
fit. 1 f one has a poor crop, or fails to
work it as well as his neighbors, his
brother members are to make it up to
him. Their declaration of principles
seem to be the theories of Henry
George boiled down, spiced with social
ism and flavored with extracts of gran
ite risin.
Two members in this county have al
ready declared themselves, so I learn,
as candidates for the Legislature.
They expect to ride Into power upon
the blinded zeal of their deluded broth
ers.
Yesterday they endeavored to get a
ne v merchant to take the place of J.
B. Mount & Co., and'appointed a com
mittee to get bids from several mer
chants in Newnah, Senoia and Grant
ville, but o«r leading merchants refus
ed to bid either for rash or otherwise.
The-committee require the merchants
to show them their invoices and allow
tfie Alliance to say what shall be their
selling figures. This our merchants de
cline to do. The Alliance members
who are able, refuse to be responsible
for the debts of the less fortunate
members, which will work a hardship
on the poorer members, who have
ueither cash, collaterals nor credit. It
will also, at the same time, place our
vounger merchants and smaller dealers
in a close place. They an* doing no
country trade, scarcely, and unless a
change comes soon, business failures
will be the result.
We dislike to give additional publici-j
ty to the ridiculous statements contain-1
ed in the foregoing article, and but for j
the palpable injustice done themer-j
chants and. business men of Xewnan.
as well as the fanners of the communi-!
ty, would hesitate to notice it at all. j
A more ingenious distortion of actual j
occurrences, or lurid exaggeration of
existing conditions, would be difficult j
to conceive, and if allowed to go uncor- j
rected might be accepted as facts by
those not in a position to know better, j
As a matter of fact we fell impelled to !
•date that no such deplorable eondi-
tion of affairs as that described by the !
Constitution’s 'correspondent exists in
this community, or is likely to exist.
That the farmers of the county have j
m organization known as the Far
mers’ Alliance is true; but no bad feel- j
ing has been engendered between the j
merchants and farmers in con^quence
of the organization. That one store and
one warehouse have been nominally
preferred by the order as t ruling points :
is true; but no member is obligated to
ileal exclusively with either unless it
.-mitshis inclination to do m>. That our
u*e#chantsbave, for purely business rea
sons, declined to bid for a monopoly of
the Alliance trade is true; but their
declination was prompted by no fac
tions opposition to the order, nor has
there been any organized movement
on the part of our merchants to defeat
the objects of the- Alliance. That
trade has been somewhat dull for three
or four weeks past is true; but this de
pression is equally marked in Griffin,
LaGrange, and other localities, and
cannot be attributed to the demoraliz-i
ing influences of the Alliance. v'Hir;
merchants sell about as many goods as I
they did before the order was introduc- j
ed here, and the trade is equally dis-;
tributed. They are in good condition, j
financially, and as ready to aeeommo- \
date their customers as ever, either for ■
cash or on time, whether members of;
the Alliance or not. There lias been j
but one failure here since 1885, and that j
was brought about by a combination of j
circumstances entirely remote from j
the causes darkly hinted at by the
Constitutions correspondent. Our
mercantile firms are enterprising, sub
stantial and reliable, and no appre-
lpqsion is felt for the safety of any of
tivmi—except bv the ('onstitvtion’s cor,,
respondent/
Tlhyc arc til*, sh.qfle facts ami will be [
' '•HafYiK-d by the business men iff the ;
community generally. The attempt b) I
show that tin 1 farmers and merchants!
are arrayed against each other is ueith>!
or fair nor just, and if allowed to pass
unrehuked might result to the injury
of the town and reflect discredit upon
tin* Farmers’ Allianceof Coweta coun
ty. Hence this protest.
A LARGE STOCK IN,
AND
NEW GOODS ARRIVING CONSTANTLY!
-o—
PRICES LOW, AND GOING LOWER!
BANKRUPT SALE
The tale of woe so pathetically re-j
cited in yesterday’s Constitution by its
Xewnan correspondent, concerning the ;
sufferings^) of prisoners now confined j
in our jail, is calculated to move the
stoutest heart. It gives us pain to!
knock the pathos out of his recital, but .
we have official authority for the -state
ment that no case of suffering or even
serious discomfort has been reported
to the officials since the present jail
was erected. There isn’t a safer or
more comfortable prison in the State,
outside of the larger cities, nor a set
of officials who look more closely after j
the comfort of the prison inmates. The !
cells are supplied with mattresses and j
blankets in abundance, and there is no j
excuse for suffering if the inmates knoiv j
how to employ these comforts. The I
article In yesterday’s Constitution was;
wholly uncalled for, and is resented by j
the friends of the several excellent of- 1
ficials reflected upon.
The best time tb buy goods is when you have an opportuni
ty to get thefti cheap, and the only safe assurance that you
arc getting them cheap is when you buy from those who deal
exclusively with manufacturers. We deal only with the lar
gest manufacturers, importers and jobbers, and possess ad
vantages that can only be appreciated by those who take the
trouble to compare our prices with the prices charged by oth
er dealers. We say this in no spirit of boastfulness, but sim
ply to let the people know that we have firms in Newnan
that enjoy precisely the same facilities for buying that the
Atlanta merchants do, and the fact that our expenses are
from twenty to thirty per cent, less is too apparent to require
mention here.
In addition to a heavy line of GROCERIES, we have
now in store a choice stock of DRV GOODS, CLO I II-
ING, BOOTS, SHOES, etc., including everything kept in a
strictly first-class establishment. Our “Bay State Shoe” con
tinues" to lead the town, in style, finish and general superiori
ty. Our stock of Clothing is complete and handsome, and
comprises all the late styles, figures and shades.
In fact, we have everything, and are determined not to be
undersold. Suppose you come and see for yourselves. We
should be glad to have you call around anyway, even if you
do not wish to buy. Seats free; no charge for looking.
Having bought the J. S. ANDERSON stock of Goods
!
1 at Receiver’s sale, for the next thirty days we will close oui
the same at less than first cost, in order to save trouble of re
moval.
The stock is mostly new, having been purchased for the
fall trade, and includes everything usually kept in a Dry Goods
and Grocery store. The goods will be sold without reserva-
| tion.
ARNALL & FARMER.
The versatile genius who indites spe
cials from Xewnan to the Atlanta Con
stitution has heard a rumor to the effect
“that an effort is being made to start!
another paper in Xewnan, and that fif- j
ty merchants and factors have agreed ‘
to put in fifty dollars each with which \
to purchase press, type, fixtures, etc., !
in order to establish a fearless and in- j
dependent weekly.” If by “fearless I
and independent” it is meant that the ;
tone of the paper will correspond with !
the florid ebullitions contributed to the !
(Constitution recently from tliis place,
we can promise the newcomer a warm, ;
sweltering welcome. We presume, .of !
course, that the Constitution’s corres
pondent will be called to the editorial
chair, in which case we shall welcome
the opposition with open arms. There
are no traits that, we admire so much as
“fearlessness and independence”—in a
professional opponent.
Only four counties were represented
in the meeting of the Farmers’ Alli
ance on the 16th instant at Americus.
They effected a temporary organiza
tion of the Farmers’ State Alliance of
Georgia. They adjourned to meet in
Fort valley December 7th. to perfect
the organization. All counties organ
ized are requested to send delegates to
this meeting. As a complete list of the
organizations in the State of county
alliances is desirable, all county alli
ances are respectfully requested to
send the number of members and such
other information concerning the same
to Rev. Charles D. Adams, of Ellaville,
who is secretary of the temporary
State Alliance of Georgia.
The above is from the Constitution
of the 23d inst. If we understand the
workings of the order, though, the
meeting referred to was unauthorized.
Xo State Alliance can be organized
without authority from the National
Alliance, and the Grand Secretary
stated only a few days ago that no or
der had been granted to this effect.
HARDAWAY & HUNTER
THE PLACE TO GET THE MOST GOODS
'OR
THE LEAST MONEY armed and equipped
FOR THE
IS AT
To-morkow Fulton county will c-ele- ]
brate the second event in her regular :
series of prohibition contests under
the local option law, and as both sides
claim a majority it will not be easy t<*
guess the result until the returns- are
all in. But if, as a leading ant-i-prolii- j
tion orator averred -the other day,
there are fifty-seven bar-rooms now in
full blast in Atlanta, ir would seem to
make but little difference to the antis!
whether prohibition prevails or not. j
They are determined to have liquor |
anvhow.
Tom Wooi.koi.k was arraigned for i
trial in Bibb Siqierior Court last Mon- ■
day, but owing to the absence of im
portant witnesses for the defense the j
case was continued until the first Mon
day in December. lie was indicted for
murder on nine separate counts.
The Synod of Georgia met in the
Presbyterian church at Rome last.
Wednesday night and will remain in .
session until Monday. The Synod has!
a total membership of 800.
Prof. A. R. McCvtchen, State 1 .
Geologist, died in Atlanta last Sunday,
lie was 52 years of age and one of the
most prominent scientists in the South.
J. R. HERRING’S!
I lay down the broad proposition that I can sell, and am
actually selling, goods cheaper than any house in town, and
am prepared to sustain this proposition with irrefragable proof.
Observe the following, as a starter—
Will sell all-wool Jeans for 30c. per yard.
Ten cents is all I ask for the best Dress Gingham.
Dress Checks at 7 1-2 cents.
There is no such bargain in town as my 50c. reinforced lin
en bosom Shirt.
My stock of Gent’s Furnishing Goods can’t be beat, either
for style or selectness.
CLOTHING.
I am somewhat overstocked on Clothing and am determin
ed to unload. Am now selling good, stylish suits 15 per cent,
lower than any house in town. It looks ruinous, but time
flies, and I don’t propose to let the season fly away and leave
me with piles and piles of winter clothing on hand. Not if I
can help it. Overcdats are going the same way.
SHOES.
1 have the best assortment of Mens’, Ladies’ and Children’s
Shoes in town, both in fine and low grades. Everything
down. Will sell a tip-top Shoe for $2.50 that has never sold
for less than $2.75 heretofore. A splendid Brogan Shoe
for $1.15. Every pair of Frank D. Weyldman’s fine Shoes
sold upon an absolute guarantee.
An attractive assortment of Hats, all shapes, shades, sizes
and prices.
I have the goods and are bound to sell them. Don t forget
this when you make up your mind to buy. It means a great
deal.
GROCERIES.
Am selling Flour lower than anybody. For the present 1
can quote different grades as follows: Good, $4.50 per bar
rel; Fine, $5.00; Better, $5.50; Best, J$6.oo. In fact, I have
everything in the Grocery’ line, and am selling at rock bot
tom prices.
I am. not trying to excite vour curiosity, merely; am anx
ious to do you good.
He that pondereth these facts will surely be profited. Irv
me.
J. R. HERRING.
Salesmen—W. T. Daniel and L. TI. Hill.
FALL AND WINTER TRADE!
BONEHILL.
Breech-loading Shot-guns of
the best English, German and
American manufacture, at pri
ces ranging in price from $10
to $35.
Muzzle-loading Guns, for
men and boys, from $2 50 to
$10.
Winchester Repeating and other
Sporting Rifles.
Ammunition of all kinds.’ Loaded
Shells, Powder, Shot, Caps, and hunt
ing equipments.
The finest and largest assortment of
j] Cutlery ever seen in Newnan. Pocket
I Knives, over 150 patterns and styles.
Table Knives, plain steel and silver-
plated. Razors, Scissors, Spoons, in
all styles and prices.
Our stock embraces everything usu
ally found in a General Hardware
Store—agricultural implements, carri
age material, belting, grates, hollow-
ware, and house furnishing goods.
Tin-ware of home manufacture—
“Simril brand”—at wholesale and re
tail. Job work in tin and sheet-iron
done at short notice.
Large, commodious store-room west
side of Public Square.
Good goods at reasonable prices, and satisfaction guaran
teed. Come to see us. It will pa)" you to buy goods of us,
first, last and all the time.
T. E. FELL & CO.
JOHN IV. HUGHES.
FKKO fl. E-lW.
HUGHES & LAW,
HATTERS
AND
GENTS’ FURNISHERS!
VALISES. UMBRELLAS, ETC-
PEACHTREE STREET. - - - ATLANTA. GA.