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4 SOUTHERN ALLIANCE FARMER. □ Published Every Tuesday at Atlanta, Ga. —BT THK— SOUTHERN ALLIANCE PUB, CO. H. C. SAFFELL, President. H. C. BROWN, Sec., and Treas. SUBSCRIPTION ONE DOLLAR PER YEAR. INVARIABLY IN ADVANCE. This paper is the official organ of the Farmers’ Alliance of Georgia, and every family in the Alliance is expected to take t, so that official communications will reach the entire order in a single week. Thorough organization and united action can be thus maintained. The Southern Alliance Farmer is the result of the consolidation of three largely circulated and popular papers of Georgia, on the Ist of June, 1889, tc wit: Southern Alliance, West Point, Ga., and Atlanta, Ga. Farmer and Fruit Grower, Griffin, Ga. Alliance Advocae, Montezuma, Ga. The consolidated paper was moved to Atlanta, and under the new name The Southern Alliance Farmer has been made by the State Alliance, the organ of the order in Georgia. The pa per is now in its thirteenth volume. H. C. Bbown, Editor TO ADVERTISERS. This paper circulates all over Georgia, among the eighty thousand Alliancemen in the State. It is one of the most de sirable advertising mediums in the South. TO subscribers. Please mention this paper to your neighbors, and do all you can to widen its influence and increase its circulation, Address, Southkn Alliance Farmer, Atlanta, Georgia. TO OUR PATRONS. There seems to have been much ii reg ularity in the mailing department of The Southern Alliance Farmer which has been a source of annoyance to many of our subscribers. This trouble has in some instances been the fault of our mailing clerk,and in many others that of the horde of inefficient officials placed in the U. S. mail service by the republi can party on its return to power. We are determined to remedy these troubles,and are now thoroughly re-organizing the mailing depatment of the paper,and have inaugurated a system that will make it almost impossible for an error to be made in that department; in furtherance of this object we have purchased the latest and most improved mailing outfit ever brought south, which will be in place in a few weeks. We are determined that our patrons shall not lose a copy of the paper, and we be g them to give prompt notice of any irregularity, as suring them that every complaint will be investigated and the trouble remedied. The Southern Alliance Farmer. Col. Livingston’s interview, which is reproduced in this issue, is good read ing. Don’t fail to read it. We doubt if any paper ever carried in one issue more instructive, interesting and important matter than will be found in this issue of The Southern Alli ance Farmer. CHEERING WORDS FROM BROTHER DAVIS. I think your paper the best I ever read and all true Alliancemen should read it and help to maintain it, for it is the only paper in the state that we can rely on as our friend. Yours fraternally, J. T. Davis, Sec’y Hickory Grove Alliance. We like to have our brethren of the press reproduce our articles, but when they do, we would like to have the pro per credit. The Atlanta Constitution reproduced one of our paragraphs the other day and credited it to another pa per which had used it and given us no credit. A GOOD BIG WALK. Bro. J. O. Wynn, business agent of the State Exchange, and his bookkeeper, Bro. J. H. Hammond, are members of Bolton Alliance, which meets at Bolton 8 miles from Atlanta. On last Saturday night accompanied by Bro. R. L. Burks, they went out to the regular meeting and when the meeting was over the whole trio had to count crossties back to town. The train was just ahead of them. The Mention made in our columns some weeks ago of the Union Labor movement in the ninth congressional district, was only made to correct any impression which may have gone abroad that it was endorsed or sanctioned by the Georgia Alliance. Since that time Mr. Davidson and some of his followers have desired to open a discussion of the movement in our colums, Jbut believing it would be hurtful to the order, we have decided not to publish their articles. We do not blame these brethren for doing as their own consciences admonish them they should do, but at the same time we see clearly that a general discus sion of the matter would greatly injure the order in the south and should be avoided. It is impossible for a man in Mr. Davidson’s position to appreciate these matters as we do, and yet we hope he and his friends will see the difference a ' SOUTHERN ALLIANCE FARMER, ATLANTA, GA., MARCH 11, 1890. THE TIME HAS COME. NO MORE SOFT TALKS ABOUT POLI TICS The iSoathern Alliance Yardstick With Which to Measure Candidates—The Outside is Anxious to Know What the Allance Means. The Alliance has determined upon a plan of action and proposes to give the outside and the inside, the benefit of its conclusions. We have seen for a long time that it is the disposition of those opposed to the Alliance and its princi , pies, to force upon us candidates ot their own choosing, while we are warned to keep out of politics. As a body the Alliance will n ver go into politics. Its leaders are determined to preacn to them that it is not only un wise, but dangerous. Yet in spite of all this having been published oyer and over again, our enemies are making de termined efforts to put us in a false po sition and if possible ruin our order. Only last week a report was published in Washington, and no doubt copied in every paper in the United States, that Cal Livingston, President of the Georgia Alliance, had a secret arrangement on foot by which he would be made Gov-' ernor, and an Allianceman sent to Con gress from each district. The very idea bears falsehood on its face and was an attempt to create a spirit of resentment in the hearts of every Congressman against the Alliance, and against Colonel Livingston to whom the Alliance and the State owe so much. With a determination to get the truth about the matter, and knowing that Judge Stewart would get the truth for us if it could be had, we sent the follow ing telegram to him: Atlanta, Ga., March a, 1890. lion. John D. Stewart, M. C., Washington,D. C: Please wire me origin of report that Livingston would run Alliancemen in each district. H. C. Brown, Editor Southern Alliance Farmer. He immediately replied: H. C. Brown, Editor The Southern Alliance Farmer, Atlanta, Ga: In one or two letters from Georgia an opinion was expressed that the Alliance might run candidates for Congress and that possibly Col. Livingston might favor it. The letters did not assert this as certain, but spoke of it as possible. This is all I have heard about it. J. D. Stewart. As there is no man in Congress in greater sympathy with the people than Judge Stewart, he would have very little to fear from such a move for wo expect him to espouse our cause. The truth as given by him shows plainly the spirit which has suggested the report to be very narrow and low. One perhaps that feels its own littleness and also feels that justice to the people will demand a change in their own case. Since this and similar reports' and in sinuations arejbeing so extensively cir culated not only in Georgia, but in other States, we deem it our duty as the or gan of the Alliance of Georgia to state squarely the line of policy which Alli ancemen will follow in this State and the position which The Southern Alli ance Farmer will take in such matters. not alliancemen alone. The Allancemen of the State do not propose to vote for Alliancemen or non- Alliancemen. They propose to vote for the men who can best serve the people and who they believe will be true to their interests. Simple ability will not take the place of fidelity to principles. We do not propose to vote for men who make promises only, but men who have a record behind t hem proving that they are not only now, but have been, on the side of the people in all matters. There are very few men in Georgia who aspire to office, who have not made a record either in their counties or in the legisla ture. If any man has been connected with county rings and cliques while never doing anything for the people ex cept draw pay for his non-service; if he has been sent to the legislature [and has boon there when measures of importance were before it and not only failed to do his duty, but voted the other way; if he has been in Congress sand voted to de monetize silver to pay import duties and interest on bonds only in gold, put bur densome tariffs [and taxes on us, has served the money powers in their oppres sion of the people; he will not do to vote fer and the people will let him severely alone. But this is not all. We now have measures before the country and before Congress upon which every man in this country must take a stand. He that is not for us is against us, and we want to know, we will and must know how every candidate stands upon these subjects. We do not propose to have any half promises about these matters, but we do propose to ask these men to tell the peo ple through the public press where they stand and how they propose to act upon these measures. We do not propose to put ourselves in uncertain hands. We must measure every man by the Alliance standard, and if he does not meet this full measure of true manhood we must leave him at home. Men who the people have honored in the past must walk up to the standard and say lam with you to the end. These questions will be asked, from the men who aspire to the United States senate down to the county officers. No man has a right to expect our support and not pledge him self to the interest of our people. If the men who are before the people will not fill this measure, those can be fpund who will. Our Alliance questions are: Will you support the sub-treasury bill now before congress, and in case of its defeat con tinue to support the principles therein expressed striving Jo put into force some such law for the relief of this debt, and monopoly ridden people? Will you vote for, and work for an in crease of the volume of currency so that the amount in circulation shall be equal to the demands of production and of le gitimate commerce? Will you support the policy of the National Alliance for the control of rail ways and the enforcement of equitable and just rates, for the protection of the people? In your state government, will you work for the interest of the people, sup porting and strengthening your railroad commisson, and demanding of them protection against unjust discriminations in favor of large cities and competitive points while the small towns and rural districts are killed out and crushed? Will you give to the rural districts bet ter schools and for longer terms? Will you endeavor to legislate for the whole people and not for the few? If you want to be governor, will you see that this kind of legislation is recom mended? Have you the grit to veto bad laws? When legislatures meet and throw away time at the state’s expense, will you tell them either to do what they were elected to do, or quit and go home? If a railroad commissioner has be to ap pointed, will that one be chosen for you by the people, the cities, or the rail roads? If a commission fails to do its duty, will you see that they do it, or are im peached? These questions must be answered, and candidates may as well be preparing for it. The Southern Alliance Farmer, will print these questions in circular form and can send a copy of them to any one who wants to digest them, or admin ister them to a patient. We only suggest that they are dangerous in broken doses, but a very good tonic and vitalizer when taken as a whole. As the organ of the Alliance of Geor gia, this paper will be very candid it speaking of aspirants for office. We are non-partisan and cannot be used by any man, but when men haveing a faulty record or men who dodge issues, put their claims for office before the people, we intend to see that the peopel are not imposed upon, and when candidates refuse to be measured by the Alliance standard or being, measured, aro found short, we expect to say so. Since the politicians are so anxious to hear from us, we will satisfy their curiosity. BEHIND THE TIMES. The Columbus Enquirer Sun has sud denly been around from its peaceful slumber by Col. Livingston, and now it rubs its eyes and comes at him with all its might, and accuses him of setting out on his own account, to up-root and revo lutionize the financial system of the country. Its startled effort is em bodied in the following editorial. monkeying with the currency. “If we may judge by a recently pub lished interview with Hon. L. F. Liv ingston that gentleman has set out to up root and revolutionize the existing finan cial system of the country, in the alleged interest of the farmer. If we correctly grasp the Colonel’s scheme, he proposes that the government shall issue, in the crop season, a currency based on non-per ishable farm products, advanceing to the farmers eighty per cent, of the crops, value for twelve months. And Mr. Liv ingston thinks, or says he thinks, that this will get the farmer out of all his financial troubles. If adopted it would come to pass that the country would be flooded, in addition to gold and silver certificates, cotton certificates, corn cer tificates, oat certificates, rice certificates, tobacco certificates, sweet potato certifi cates, sorghum certificates, etc., etc. We would be inclined to think this but a bit of levity on the part of Mr. Livingston, were it not for the announcement that he seriously proposes to “ stump the state” advocating this scheme among the far mers. How would such a scheme ;take with the great business interests of the coun try as a financial system? Not very fa vorably, we imagine. It must fail to commend itself to the good judgment of business men anywhere, and sensible farmers will not need argument to con vince them that it is impracticable and visionary. While Mr. Livingston’s of ficial relations with the farmers of Geor gia would command attention for his theory, when he makes his proposed tour of the state, the Enquirer Sun is quite sure the Georgia Alliance, made up largely of practical men, will not suf fer themselves to be drawn into or com mitted to such a wild scheme. We are pained as well as surprised that the statesmanship of Mr. Livingston could not suggest anyihing better than this. Any measure looking to the ameliora tion of the condition oe the farmer, that will enable him to more fully realize the fruits of his labor, that wiH make nim more prosperous and happier, will not lack for cordial support and incourage ment, but we are satisfied this is not such a measure.”—-Columbus Enquiier. No wonder the Enquirer Sun feels strangel / when he reads Col. Livings ton’s views upon finance. So would our grandfathers be surprised if they too were to suddenly awake in this age of progress. We would respectfully sug gest that theJEnxuirer Sun go back and read the newspapers of the last three months and also write to Tom Grimes ts have their man put on the mailing list of the Congressional Record. We would further inform them that this is not only the policy of Col, Livingston, but that it is the policy of the National Farmers Alli ance and Industrial Union, adopted by them at the National conventien at St. LOnis. And that it is also a part of the policy of the Knights of Labor. It is the policy of 80.000 Alliancemen of Geor gia who will stick to it unanimously. If the Enquirer Sun will read the last few issues of the Congressional Record, it will find that Senator Vance, of North Carolina has intrrodeed the sub-treasury bill into the United States senate, and a real live congressman from South Da kota has introduced the same into the house. Our only regret is that some Georgia congressmen does not bear the honor of having brought into congress this bill for the benefit of toiling farmers. This issue is before the people of Geor gia and of nearly every other state, and the aspirant for congressional honors, who does not promise to support it will be left at home. It is not out of place to state right here, that the next represen tative from the 4th congressional district will hardly be au exception to this rule. It is cause for regret that the Enquirer Sun should have opposite views to the farmers not only on this financial issue, but upon the amendment to the cansus bill providing for full information upon the subject of farm mortgages. The farmers want to know the full extent of their financial troubles and want to rem edy them. Without this knowledge they will not be able to work out their needed relief. The farmers have been trusting these matters in other hands and blindly following false leaders until they are ruined. They have determined to think for themselves, aad that interview of Col. Livingstons, but outlined the results of their serious thought. We exp ected the bondholders, specu lators and national bankers to oppose us> for their interest is in direct conflict with the, farmers interest. We do hope the Enquirer Sun does not espouse the cause of those men who live not by labor, but off of labor? Cot Livingston is a true representative of tljfl laboring class, and we expected that when he started out he would “wake up” things among those who think farm ers -should always be hewers of wood and drawers of water. As no argument, save the fact the busi ness world will not be pleased with it, is set fprth against this plan,we do not i fier any argumant in its favor for it needs none. But we may as will say that if the business-world does not like it, it is none the less just and right. Does the business world want nil the law on its si<af* ■ - To all those who are not pleased with this plan, we would say: the farmers are poor and in debt, and being robbed year by year of the profits of their labor by speculators and m.ney changers. This is our plan of relief, and until you can offer some better plan, it will be advisa ble to keep quiet. The editorial in your issue of Feb. 18, on the subject of cotton bagging is, in my judgement, sensible, timely and to the point.* The determination of Alli ancemen and others farmers in Georgia, to use cotton only as a covering for cot ton and the persistency with which they adhered to that determination daring the past fall and winter in spite of diffi culties, delays and disappointment, was something remarkable. And the staunch resolution, reiterated by every Alliance that has spoken, to continue the use of cotton bagging in the future, notwith standing the discouragements of the last season, is if possible, still more remark able. In view of these facts, it seems to me manufacturers ought to go forward ener getically and make a supply of bagging, trusting to the farmers to buy it just as they trust the consumers of any other class of goods to buy those goods. And I am sure that all the Geogia mills that made bagging last year could not more than supply the demand next fall, even if they were to bind all their energies to make the largest possible out-put every day from now till the cotton season opens. Does it not therefore look like a cruel want of confidence in the Alliancemen and far more on the part of these manu facturers when they continue the tactic* of last year, and before beginning the manufacture of bagging demand that iron clad orders shall be placed for bag ging enough to guarantee them against loss. But Mr. Editor, I see no help for us for the present year. I therefore, urge upon every Alliance and upon every Alli anceman, to forward orders properly guaranteed for the full amount of bag ging they expect to use next fall and to do this as quickly as possible. But if we are ever to get out of this dependent position, we have got to help ourselves in some way, and it is not too soon now to begin. In the meetin of our State Bagging Committee with the Southern Manufac turers Association, held in the city of Augusta, last May, one prominent manu facturer said: “If the farmers,want cot ton bagging, let them get up factories of their own and make it for them selves.” I thought there was a sneer in his voice as he said it, but I think he struck the key note of the situation and suggested the only practical solution of the question. And to this I propose to devote the rest of this articel The Sumter county Alliance, some months ago, set on foot a project to get up a cotton bagging factory in or near the city of Americus. And we have suc ceeded in obtainging from a reliable source, the offer of a denation of five thousand dollars in cash on condition that we raise $25,000 more and build a factory to cost $30,000. Stock in this en terprise will therefore be worth 20 per cent above par at once, because the $30,- 000 plant will be represented by only $25,000 of stock. We are also reliably informed that such a plant would be capable of producing from one and a half to two million yards.of bagging per year. Now, if this stock were offered to capi talists on the usual terms I do not doubt it would all be taken in a very short time. But it is our purpose to confine subscrip tions to Alliancemen alone and to fix the charter so that the .enterprise must always remain under Alliance control, and so thatno man, or set of men, can ever get a controlling interest in it. The Alliancemen of Sumter and ad joining country, have already been called upon for subscriptions. But they will find it hardjwork to raise the required $25,000, and perhaps impossible before next fall. But the building ought to be begun at once, so that we may get to making bagging at an early day. This project, though it started in a County Alliance and proposes its location in Sumter county, is nevertheless such a one as appeals, not to one county alone, but to the whole state and even to all the cotton growing states,land ought to en list the co-operation of all who wish to push the fight for cotton bagging. I propose, therefore, in order to hasten the success of the enterprise, First, that the Bagging Factory Committee of the Sumter County Alliance continue to push subscriptions among Alliancemeu in Sumter and adjoining counties. This, they are,' and have been doing. Second, That an appeal be made to the State Exchange to invest part [of their capital in this enterprise, thereby secur ing a good investment and at the same time, striking a telling blow in the great bagging fight. Third, That the bagging committee of the State Alliance lend all its influence to promote the success of this enterprise as one way of securing' a supply of cotton bagging. And that Col. Northen, the chairman, call the committee together at an early day to consider how best to do it. Fourth, That every Allianceman in Georgia be called upon to subscribe to the stock until the amount is raised. Now, Mr. Editor, I believe this to be the most practical way, as well as the most practicable thing, that has yet been proposed upon the bagging question. And if these plans were taken hold of by the Exchange authorities, by the Stale Bagging Committee and by a few ener getic Alliancemen in the different coun ties of Georgia, success would be reached in a few weeks and the cotton bagging question would be solved for all time— because this one factory being secured, others would follow in other states and section, until the supply of cotton bag ging would be ample. Aud let me say to the Alliancemen of Georgia that this is not thq last they will hear on this subject, for the Sumter County Alliance has a wide-awake com mittee at work on it, and they will not let the matter rest until they achieve success. We already stand upon high vantage ground. A donation originating with the county commissioners, from the sale of the old Court House Square in Ameri cus, of $5,000, is already securred. With the prospect of further assistance from the city and people of Americus; the railroads centering here and from other corporations interested in promoting the growth of business and population in the city is such as to cheer us much. But without some assistance from beyond our county limits, our progress will be slower than the demands of the country and of the farmers can fairly admit. I think I can safely predict that a proposition em bodying the above ideas and properly formulated will be submitted at an early day to the Exchange, the bagging com mittee and to the various Alliances and Alliancemen of the state in such a man ner that each and every one may see what they are asked to subscribe to, and on what terms. If this article is too long, Mr. Editor, my only apology is that the matter seems to me of sufficient importance to justify even greater length if such were necessa ry- If this matter strikes any of the breth ren favorably I should be glad to have their assurance of it either privately or through the press, and if any have criti cisms or objections to offer, I shall be glad to have them submitted in like manner. Yours till the end of the fight, Wm. A. Wilson. Member of S. B.C. Americus, Ga., Feb. 28, 1890. Examine the Alliance .measure given in this issue and see if your candidates can come up to it. KBljlgl I read with a deal of interest the editorial in The Sotthern Alliance Farmer last week, headed “Cotton Bag ging.” The Alliance movement in a great measure depends upon the way they manage[the cotton bagging problem. They have taken decided action and can not afford to fail; all must stand together and push up the hill. It seems to me that the Alliance people ought to make themselves independant about cotton bagging. The manufacturers of cotton bagging have shown that they have no confidence in the Alliance. And some of them have shown clearly that but lit tle confidence is to be placed in them, and in support of this statement will say that our business agent contracted with one of mills last season for twenty-five thousand yards of cotton bagging. They refused to contract with us until we gave them satisfactory bank reference, not withstanding the bagging was to be ship ped with bill lading attached and to be paid for upon delivery. This contract was made J une 15, 1889, and the bagging was to be shipped as follows: September Ist, 500 yards; and although we wanted the bagging and urged them often to ship it, we did not receive any bagging until September 26, 1889, when, we received 500 yards, and received only about 5000 yards during the season and we did our best to get more by writing and telegraphing. While the distance was. not less than four hundred miles, I went to the mill to try to impress them with the importance of filling the contract, they made all sorts of promises but did not fulfill them, yet on the contrary that same mill made several shipments of cotton bagging to others in our town who had no contract with them. I have never had a more unsatisfactory transaction with anyone, and I make this long state ment in order that the Alliance may fully understand that the pla a adopted last season will not do to depend on. We want cotton bagging. How can we get it is the question. I will suggest away that I think is practicable and will in sure an ample supply. If lam correctly informed the State Exchange has about $60,000 in cash. Let the managers have authority to take this money and go to one or more mills and buy absolutely all the bagging they can make and buy it at what it is worth, not at 4 cents per yard more than it is worth as you suggest was the case last season. Have the bag ging stored, and insured, and upon this bonus they can borrow all the money they may need to supply the Alliance men of Georgia with cotton bagging at a low rate of interest, and let the Exchange charge a small profit. The Exchange takes no risk, for the sixty thousand dol lars belongs to the very men who want the cotton bagging and they will buy and pay for it. As you say the Alliance must be independant, and they have it in their power to be independant. The flrst|fightds with the jute trust, and we cannot afford to have any uncertainty as to the result. As you say the great sacrifices made by the Alliancemen last season to use cot ton bagging, shows how they stand on that question The very best arrange ment that is possible to make for them to have cotton bagging ought to be made, and they ought to be furnished with the bagging at what it is worth, and there is no difficulty in finding its value. Unless some solid business plan is adopted, there will be a cotton bagging trust, worse perhaps than the jute trust. I hope you will excuse me for making these suggestions. I have’had the management of an Alli ance business now nearly two years, and I know something of the plans that are laid for the defeat of every business un dertakened by them; and the only way any Alliance business can succeed is to• be independant. All the agencies and commercial machinery is squarely against them, and nearly all lines of business is pooled against them. Why should eighty thousand of the best men in Georgia be treated in this way, to say nothing of hundreds of thousands in other states. As you say, there [ should be no grumblers in the camp, but all these questions should he discussed freely and frankly and the very best plans adopted, so as to insure permanent success. While this is intended as a per sonal letter to you, you can use it or any part of it, as you think best. I hope you will make a big success of your paper. Your Friend, Joseph Allen. Union Hill Alliance. We have ordered our guano through the Exchange. Some few of our mem bers did not order on account of giving money notes, but that’s all right. We are going to keep out of politics in some respects and there are a few politi cians in this district, lawyers and other men, who will keep out too after the com ing season’s campaign. Keep your eyes open and , don’t be over persuaded by the shrewd politicians. Os course they say they are going to look to the interest of the laboring class of people; if they didn’t say that they would get no votes. Mr. Editor, we indorse your sentiments in regard to politics. The Alliance of this county needs a co-operative store and must have it, and then we will be prepared to receive the benefits of our Exchangeon everything we buy. We have a membership of about eighty five, male and female, and we turn a man out when he fails to meet his ob ligations, and when the Alliance drops a man, the outside world and merchants had better be careful how they make contracts with him, for he will bear watching. May The Southern Alli ance Farmer be read by every member of the order. W. A. Starnes.