The Southern Mercury, Texas Farmers' Alliance Advocate. (Dallas, Tex.), Vol. 8, No. 37, Ed. 1 Thursday, September 12, 1889 Page: 4 of 8
eight pages : ill. ; page 22 x 15 in. Digitized from 35 mm. microfilm.View a full description of this newspaper.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Wm
4
THE SO TJTHERN MERCUR Y:
DALLAS, TEXAS, SEPT. 12, 1889.
The Southern Mercury
(one dollar a year in advance)
Published by the—
STATE ALLIANCE PRINTING
BOARD.
READ THIS CAREFULLY.
Patronise those who advertise with ui.
Advertising rates furnished on application.
Always mention Tub Mebcch* when writ
mg to advertisers.
Keep business matters separate from oor-
reepohdonce Intended for publication.
Examine tho Asures on the label on your pa-
per sod see that your time 1s correct.
All letters Intended for Tne Mcrcubt
whether buslncBe or otherwise. should be ad-
dressed to Tub Southern Mkboubt, Dallas
Texas.
It will take about three woolcs after sub-
scriptions are sent before the subserlbprs
names will appear on the regular muling
talleys.
When Bonding notices of change of address,
es, unless the olrl us well us tho r,ew address
Is given, wo oannot pay any attention to suon
' requests.
Send money for The Mkhcury as spertfled
abeve; all money for the Exchange must be
sent to J. B. Reily. Dallas, Texas, care of
National Exchange Bank.
Make money orders, drafts and all remit-
tances payable to the order of Thk BoCtheiin
Mt'iicunr. and address all letters to Thb
Bodthkun Mbhcury Dallas Texas.
Renew your subscription, so you won't miss
any copies, as we can't always furnish back
numbers; tho figures on the label on your pa*
per will tell when your time la out.
before writing to tbe editor, understand
fully what you want to say, then say it In as
lew words as possible, sign your name and
then <i u11.
Articles Intended for publication must be
wrltteu only on one sido of tho papor, and tho
real name of the writer signed to It. not nec-
essarily for publication, but as an evldenoe of
good faith.
All obituary notloes sent to Tub Southern
Mehcdhv for publication, unless accompa-
nied by tho cash to pay for same, will not bo
printed. Tho ehargos for printing obituary
notices are one cout per word 1'or eroh word
In excess of fiftv.
When sending subscriptions to Tub Mbrou-
ry please montlon tho word renewal In con-
nection with all names sent whon the party Is
already a subscriber. Hy paying strict atten-
tion to this you will confer a favor upon tho
business ollfco of The Mhrcuhy.
When writing for Tins Mkuouhy concerning
CIIanob o ADUitBHH, or any failure to ro-
celve your papers promptly, or concerning
money sent in for subsbrlptlons, please men-
tion your postollloe, the dale of your formor
letters, and also the dato of the printed receipt
which we sont you, and always uddross your
inquiries, oomplalnts, etc.. to
SOUTHERN MERCURY,
and your communication will rooelve prompt
uttoution.
Enterod at tho post office, Dallas, Texas, us
second-olnss mall matter.
II Cotton bagging Is now "a condition,
not a.theory.
A razor-hack bog lu the hand is worth
two "sides" in the store.
Political lightning is something like
the genuine article, it seldom strikes twice
In the sume place.
In tho name or suffering humanity, what
lias become of that wonderfully patriotic
scheme, "Farmers Institutes?"
Pedigrekh, war records or wlro-pulllng
will weigh but Utile against intolligence,
justice, reason and reasonable demands.
Attorney-General Houo and Ex-
Governor Throckmorton seem to be strug-
gling Tor tbe "pole" In the tace for gov-
eriior. ____________
Tiik Jute combination must bo downed.
Nothing in the anti-trust law forbids tbe
light you are making. We will win. We
must win 1
Skcrktahi km will pleaso send us at once
tbe date of tho October moetlng of their
Couuty Alliuuce, also place where sumo
will bo held.
W1 Til com selling at two-btts a bushel,
and with leed mills In evory locality, there
is no excuse for a man running lu dobt for
corn rnoul next year.
Tim (armors have had their eyes oponed
slnco the del'out ol their demands for rail-
road regulation by the last legislature and
they will not submit to uny moro monkey
bifltiness.
Tiik readers of Thu Mercury will con-
fer a favor upon us 11 tbey will mention
"Tub Southern Mkrcury" whenever
tbey answer advertisements found in our
columns.
If the campaign or'00 waxas warmer as
the time grows nearer, judging from the
way the wind blows now, the prospects for
au exceedingly hot flghtnext year are very
flattering indeed.
Tiik JIon. A. W. Tkrhki.i. Is usually out
on the highways and byways at this season
of the year. Wo watoh the papers closely,
but as yet have failed to see any announce-
ment of his arrival any whore.
Tbk first round on tho political ladder
to lame is u "Railroad commission," Am
bilious statesmen; whether groen or ripe,
will do well to piaotice a little. If they ex-
pect to be rewurdod by tho people.
O. M. Roberts, [Old Aloalde) with his
present views upon the subject of railroad
regulation will never again smoke his cob
pipe In the gubernatorial ehalr of Texas.
This li a prediction and not a threat.
Rkad the correspondence regarding the
jute bugging, and oontlnue your light all
along the line. Attorney General Ilogg
has never written one Une threatening to
prosecute you for fighting the Jute trust.
Thk question ol a railroad commission
will be as important In the coming polit-
ical campaign a* was the prohibition ques-
tion two years ago. Politicians with an
eye to the future will do well to slide off
the l'enoe and fall in line with the people.
It you want to be happy and have hap-
piness to spare, just raise onough "hog and
hemlny" on your own place to keep from
paying out cash for oorn bread and bacon.
Don't forget that; oftentimes the "cash" Is
not forthcoming, then .up pops Mr. Credit,
and you are in a pretty pickle.
lUauOAD managers are olten great dem-
afBjjttils. A few years ago Jay Gould was
b«Bg examined by a committee of the New
York legislature when he was president of
the irle railroad company, and during said
examination he Was asked to Mate what
bil politics wsre; he answered the
•<> hiM M IU|IIH.||
trlct 1 am a republican, and when I am in
an iudependent district 1 urn Independent,
but I am always for the Erie rullroad."
This was doubtless an honest declaration
on the part of this great railroad magnate.
He wus willing to subordinate every prin-
ciple of manhood as well as patrlotliui to
an avaricious desire to make money. This
is tbe man who virtually controls the rail-
roads of Texas to-day.
Corn is selling in Dallas for twenty-live
cents psr bushel, and razor-back hogs grow
wild In East Texas. Now, how many
bushels of razor-back hogs will it take
(with corn at two-bits a bushsl) to fill up
your smokehouse—so as to keep from run-
ning in debt next year t
Texas Is a great agricultural state und
should have an agricultural department*
not neoessarily to give positions to a lu-
vored few, but "as an evidence of good
faith," asa newspaper man would say.
Resides, there are various good reasons
wliy there should be one established.
For the benefit of our readers and with
no Intontlon whatever of giving a free ad-
vertisement, we will state that the Hon.
George Clark has been retained by the
Gallas and Dalveston News as leading
counsel In the libel suits brought against
them by a well-known lawyer In East
Texas. ____________
Nkwsi'AI'KUh, which by empty declara-
tions pretend to be the friend of the farmer
and yet do all they can against them, are
more to be feared than the confidence man
who would feign friendship in order to rob
you. Like the hypocritical priest, tliey
would "steal the Jlvery of heaven te servo
the devil in." Let the farmers watch
them.
Gov. Rom seems to bo the most uncon-
cerned man in tbe state as to who is likely
to toast their shins In the "executive man
slon" at Austin during the cool days of
'00-01. The unwritten third-term law
could be set aside to tho advantage of all,
if it were not lor that wonderful gift so
prominent among our peoplo to-day—"am-
bltlon."
Tiik Dallas News, lu its criticism of
Judge Huwnle Robertson's lust article
upon the subjcct ol rullroad regulation by
the state, aasuincs that it is commuulHtic.
It mlgnt with equal proprloty and force of
logic assume that the declaration of iude-
pendeneo is communistic, but railroad cur.
porutions have us little respect ror thut old
document as bud George 111.
Smk;<;kr John L. Sullivan, having
been sentenced to one year imprisonment
In tbe Mississippi penitentiary, has an-
nounced his Intention ol rutining lor con-
gress. All future statements regarding his
determination to roform will not bo be-
lieved, as he is reforming backwards. From
congress to the penitentiary or from tbe
penitentiary to congress is not in the Hue
of reform.
Why Is It that English und Scotchlsli
capitalists are establishing loan agencies
in all tho principal citiOB In the United
States? Thk Mkrcuhy will answer the
quesllou: It Is bccuuse tho policy of our
govornmont for the past twonty years has
tondod to control the volume of the circu-
lating medium in the luterost of the money,
lords ol the country until the supply Is not
equal to the demands ol commerco. Hence
the Influx ol' loroign capital.
Tiik great Stato Fair to bo hold at Dallas
October 16th to 27th, will be tbe greatest
exhibition in all its departments ever given
in the south. The exhibits by countics
ulono will bo worth going miles to see. Wo
hope that everyone who can will endeavor
to contribute in evory way possible to
make the exhibit from tbelr county a little
better than that of any othor county. If
your county has not applied for space do
your boit to get your peopie interested.
Thk Gallas and Dalveston News claim
that they don't represent the jute lntorest.
Strange assertion, that, when it is a lact
that thoy send into tho rural districts cop-
ies of their papers containing articles en-
dorsing jute and decorating them with very
attractive blue pencil murks. Probably
the News can explain this scorning piece
of inqulsltiveneBs on the part of Thk Mer
oury whon weusk, "Whopuysthe freight"
tho News or tho people?"
What havo you dono to curry out the
business recommendations submittod by
the Stato Alliance? It is decidodly impor-
tant that eaco and overy true and loyal Al-
liance man do his duty towards relieving
the Kxcbange; It Is and will be the last
call, and as tho appoul is based on sound
business foundations, there can bo nothing
to lose by paying your prorata; on the con-
trary, everything will be gained. Should
you fall, however, the rovorso will follow.
It is said by some of tho jobbers that the
railway companies are now showing a
willingness to make concessions In tho
matter of freight rates. It would be wise
for them to do so, if In so doing they could
silence agitation upon tbe subject, ltut
thoy may "taffy" the jobbers and manufac-
turers as much us they choose, it will not
satisfy the demands ol tbe people. Tho
great body of tho people of Toxas demand
a railroad commission and they will take
nothing else. Thk Mercury will be
lound fighting upon this lino.
Somk politicians seem to be lest In ad -
miration for the "doar farmor," so long as
the dear farmer conllnes himself strietly to
tbe diaousslon of how to plant pumpkins
and cultivate goobers, but when he begins
to dlseuss polities and questions of politi-
cal economy, tho good political friend
gives his classic head an ominous shake,
and predicts for the farmer nothing but
disaster. Tbk Mercury would take oc-
casion right here to remind all suoh gentle-
men that it has often occured to us that
the farmers ol Texss as well as all other
states, ought to have and do have tbe right
to talk and act as other people do. Thk
Mercury is preparad to give many reasons
why such Is tbe esse If required so to do.
It will also remind suoh politicians that
farmers are now f«,*dlfig and posting them-
selves upon all piitrtto questions, and they
will doubtless soon be able to dispense
with your kindly offered advice.
aassftesaifesssB
As wm have oifon repeated, why don't
ATTORNEY GENERAL HOOff AND
THE FARMERS ALLIANCE.
Elsewhere Tiik Mercury presents the
entire correspondence between citizens of
Denton county, tbe county attorney and
Attorney General Hogg, in relation to tbo
combination which said citizens propose
to form. This correspondence has not
been published In Its entirety by either of
the News's, and other defenders of the
jute combine. Just why they huve pub-
lished only the letter of the attorney gen.
eral and failed to even give the dute of that
Is a matter which tbey can best explain.
It shows very clesriy that the letter upon
which the uttorney general's opinion was
based was not written by any Farmers Al-
liance, and that the opinion had no refer-
ence whatever to that organization or its
methods of opposing the juie combine.
The inquiry came from Individual farmers,
purporting to represent persons who had
no connection with the Alliance, se far as
their letter discloses, or if they had, were
not representing any Alliance or acting in
their capaoity us members of the order In
outlining their proposed uctlon against the
jute combine. Tbe opinion of the attorney
goaerui was not therefore, given to the
Farmers Alliance or aimed at any action
the Alliance may have taken on tbo bug-
ging question, but was in response to In-
dividuals who proposed to enter formully
Into a combination which virtually admit-
ted was a violation of law, but justilied on
ibe ground that tho jute trust hud violated
the law first. In other words tbey pro-
posed to right the wrong committed by the
jute trust by violating tne Juw themselves.
Two wrongs do not make a right, and the
furmors should not In any action thoy may
take on the bagging question, whethor as an
Alliance or in muss meetings, get without
the pale of law. Tho anti-trust law was
urged and in u great measure passed by the
influence of farmers, and they should Insist
on itB enforcement to the very letter. It
iias already borne much good fruit, In tho
disruption of tbe railroad pool and various
minor combinations, and the day is not far
distant when it will have broken up evory
unlawful combination in tbe state. Tho
purpose of Tijk Mkrcury in giving space
to this correspondence is to dispel tho er-
roneous report industriously circulated by
certain papers and persons in the service
o," the jute combine, to the effect that tho
action of tbe Farmers Alliance In mooting
in their halls and passing resolutions de-
nouncing the juto trust and favoring cot-
ton bagglr.g had boon pronouneod a viola-
tion of the anti-trust law by the attorney
genorul. No such action bus been taken
by that olllelal, nor will it ever bo, because
tills is a country of free speech, and farm -
ers will have todo something more than to
talk and resolute against jute bagging to
constitute a violation of the anti-trust law.
II however, tbe trust advocates can scare
tho farmers into silence by a falsehood, it
serves the same purpose as the trust.
Things can be made unpopular by talklBg,
and 11' farmer* can bo dupod into believing
that thoy are violating the law and liable
to be hauled up In court lor saying bud
things ubout the jute trust a few more
bales of cotton will be covored with juto
and a few more dollars would drop into tbe
cotters ol the combine. Let thr farmers
and the Alliance portion of them especially'
continue the agitation against jute bagging
It Is wholly unnecessary to vlolaté a single
letter of the antf-trust law to down the
bugging trust. It can be resoluted and
talked to death. The people are with you,
and #11 the paid agonts and advocates of
jute con not break your ranks If you aro
only true to yourselves. This you will bo,
this you must bo.
Si'kakinu of prosperity, enterprise and
tho general Improvements now going on in
tho dlli'erent cities of Texas, a Fort Worth
aldorman stated, In a late council meeting,
that "there are more residences in course
of construction in Oak Cliff [a suburb ol'
Dallas] than there Is in all Fort Worth put
together." Oak Cliff is only one of the
many thriving suburbs or Dallas; there is
ub muoh building uctlvity In other parts of
Dallas as there is at Oak Cliff. Dallas is
outstripping all other cities in Texas, and
is not blowing much about it either.
LABOR AGITATION IN EUROPE.
The late labor agitation lu Germany has
caused tho young emperor of that country
to investígalo the causes which have led to
these labor troubles, and in doing so be
has come to the conclusion that the laws
now in force lu Germany, regarding the
subject of labor are inadequate to meot the
demands of tbe laboriug cIubbos, and he
has'made a public announcement in lavor
or reforms. This declaration on tho part
of the German ruler shows that tbe labor.
Ing classes of that couutry have been great
gainers by tbo recent strike. And the
great strlko now existing in London
among tho dock hunds and others, will
doubtless cause the government of England
to investigate the matter In order that
such reforms may be udopted as will .pro-
vont a recurrance of like troubles. It Is
only In freo America that the demands ol
the laboring classos are disregarded, In
Europe crowned heads and titled nobility
rule the countries instead of money lords
which rule tho United States. Tbe dook
owners, and coal companlos in England
and Germany havo no Plnkert'on detect-
ive forco which they can employ with the
tacit consont of the government to shoot
honest men who dare assert tbelr rights.
It Is only in free America that citizens can
bo employed as soldiers to carry out the
will of monopoly. Shades or the patriot
fathers protects us. The price of labor
like that oi commodities, is controlled to a
'arge extent by the rule of supply and de-
mand, but it Is money that directly gov-
erns both, and as money la rendered moro
valuable In the United States by contract-
ing the amount In circulation, hence the
services of wage-workers are rendered
lower in consequence of the higher value
which money has owing to scarcity. To
Illustrate : If one dollar will now earn in
Texas two and a half per cent, per month,
(the price at which many use tbelr money)
does It not follow that a dollar which can
be loaned at that price is worth much more
tban one which would loan at three-fourths
of one per cent, per month, which is tbe
legal rate of interest in Texas ? The com-
merce of tbe world demands a certain
amount of money, and when you decrease
the amount below that which la demanded
you neceasarlly Increase the value or the
money. This )■ a simple role or commerco
whloh applies to everything. If.two men
than la but
demauds of both for the house are equally
pressing. The great trouble la tho United
Stutes as to the compensation of labor is
this : That the contraction ol money or
the want of a sufficient amount has in-
creased its valuo while the supply of labor
having been equal to the demand, Its value
has decrossed correspondingly with tbe In-
creased value of rnonoy. This may seem a
very Bimple solution ol the question, but
it is a true one. The remedy Is within tbo
government. It must give us more money
before tho luboricg and producing classes
will find relief.
GREAT railroad TRUST.
John .J. McCook or Chicago, late secre-
tary or the bunker's meeting in New York,
has written a letter to prominent bankers
of New York unfolding to said bankers a
plan for the formation of a great railroad
trust, which shall embrace all the railroads
in the United States and Canada. His let-
ter inukes mention of an interstate associa-
tion now in existence by which the grout
.systems attempt to destroy competition,
but which, according to McCook's letter,
is in dunger or being overturned, as some
of tbe roads, and notably the Baltimore &
Ohio railroad, had cut rates on the ship-
ment of wheat. It Is strange that such a
letter should have found Its way into the
public prints as It unfolds the plan und ad-
vises tbe formation of a great trust among
the shareholders or the different railway
companies, In order that they may com-
pletely stifle competition in tbe mutter of
transporting the commorce ol the nation.
A trust w.'ilcb, if rormed and permitted to
exist, would place overy shipper In tbe na-
tion at the templete mercy of tbe combina-
tion. Thk Mkrcury here quotes what
purports to be the concluding part of Mc-
Cook's letter, as follows:
"From u legul sand point such an organ-
ization, if properly constituted cannot bé
overthrown, while American citizens re-
tain the right to bold property, and so long
us the constitution of the United States,
sustained by the decisions of the supreme
court, prohibits the enactment by the leg-
islature of tbe several states of any law im-
posing the obligation of a contract, the
business questions involved will be quick-
ly settled and public sentiment will bo sat-
isfied by working out of this plan, which
will give as good, if not belter, results to
passengers, shippers and the general pub-
lic than any now shown by tho proprietary
lines controlled by the trunk line compa-
nies extending from Buffalo. Pittsburg and
Ohio rivor points to the different cities lu
tho west. The regulation and control by
such will destroy the inducements for cut-
ting rates, and such a rate war is no more
likely to bo started between lines in the
union than between tbe Central Michigan
und tbo Lake Shore, controlled by tbe New
York CentraL, or between the Fort Wayne
and the Panhandle lines, controlled by the
Pennsylvania ro.id. In other words, the
existing Unes will get all the tratlic that
exists. They will handle It promptly und
cheaply and the result is sure to give satis-
faction to the public and better returns to
the investors.''
In the above quotation, McCook, tbo
writer, assumes that such a combination
would bo sustained undor tbe constitution
ol' the United States and decisions of the
supreme court under tbat clause of the
constitution which declares that "no state
shall pass laws Impairing the obliga-
tion of contracts." Why does the
writer refer to this part of the
constitution, if said combination would
not Injure the public, as he assumes would
bo the cuse? It is because tbe writer knows
that such a combination would be morally
wrong and like all other scoundrels who
become wrongfully possessed of something
which the law may permit them to hold
they at once appeal to tbe law, It matter,
not how unjust the claim might be. Mr,
McCook eithcrs overlooks the facts that
the congress of the United States would
have authority to deal with such unlawful
combination through propor laws puBsed
ior that purpose, or else he looks for no
trouble from that body so long as It re-
mains composed largoly of corporation
lawyers and others, who are interested
in corporations niOBt likely the latter
view of the matter was considered by him;
but the time will come when we must have
a change. If the next congress fails to
pass laws for the protection of the
people against trusts, it should cause a
howl of indignation to go up from all over
this nation, that might cause congressmen
to shake in the boots.
11kai> our premium list and see if you
can't help us socure 50,000 subscribers.
We are making arrangements to give you,
without any exceptions whatever, the very
best paper published in the South for a
dollar a year. Thk Mkrcury belongs to
the State Alliance, and it is greatly to your
interest to support It. Subscribe lor It
yourself und get your neighbor to follow
suit. Whorover Thk Mkrcury circulates
you will find the Alliance cause in a flour-
ishing condition. To Bpread the principles
of the Alllatice It Is only necessary to in-
crease Tiik Mercury's circulation.
As thk Bremen Cotton Exchango will
undoubtedly decide upon an equitable ad-
justment of tbe question of tare for cotton
wrapped in other than jute bagging, we
don't believe it will be long before tbe Ex-
changes of all other European cities will
do likewise, Liverpool posBtbly exceptod.
Therefore, our enterprising contemporaries
on either end of the 31ó-mlle string will
have to get a new set of figures to show
that the rarmer will lose ! 8 cents on every
bale or cotton wrapped In cotton bagging;
or else quit tlgurlBg. It is presumed that
it will never do for them to figure out what
a farmer saves by using cotton bagging
wbon tbe tare question Is settled. They're
not built that way.
Thk Increase of population during the
past decade, as will bo shown by the next
census report, will fall much below the
popular estimates. The rate of increase
has been much below what It was from
1870 to 1880. This results from several
oauses, among which may be mentioned :
First. The two or three years of
drouth which has prevailed in the
western part of tho state. Secondly. Tbe
giving away of the public lands to railways,
and tbe lease laws which allowed the
fencing up of the western lands. And
thirdly, tbe discriminations among the
great railroad systems out of tha state
against Texss. All of these causes com-
bined have cnuAd a great falling off In im-
migration.
Another week has passed and Warwiok
Clark has not been interviewed. What's
the matter? Has Judge Robertson pock-
eted tha "15 baiR"
ATTORNEY GENERAL HOGG AND
JUTE BAGGING.
Full Correspondencia Regarding The
Jute Bagging Combine—The Alliance
Not Prohibited From Fighting
The Jute Trust.
Hon. J. S. Hogg, Austin, Texas:
Dear Sir:—i herewith tend you the let-
ter of J. W. Holford et al., which fully ex-
plains a matter upon which they desire
your opinion. Please to examine and re-
turn same with your opinion of the law
therein asked about. Very respectfully,
[Signed.] J. T. Bottorf,
County attorney, Denton county, Texas.
Pilot Point, Tex., May 27,1880.
J. T. Bottorf. Esq., county attorney, Den-
ton, Texas :
Dear Sir The farmers of this part of
tbe country and of other portions of tbe
state are anxious to take active measures
for their protection against tbe bagg ng
trust. You ure aware of the fact that
about twelve montliB ago a combination
was formed by the manuiacturers or jute
bugging to put up the price of bagging, and
thut the price was advanced and sustained,
raising the pries to tbe farmers more than
40 per cent., and that they have made no
materiul reduction in prices to this date.
Now, what the farmers wish to do is, to
form a combination or association of farm-
ers similar to those now formed in Georgia,
Alabama and otber southern states, agree-
ing among themselves to use, and recom-
mending to all cotton raisers tbe use or
adoption of cotton bagging, such as is now
manufactured by the Line mills, of New
Orleans, and other mills, as a permanent
covering lor their cotton, or at least until
the jute bugging companies reduce the
price of jute bagging to what it was before
the trust was formed. But after a careful
examination of the trust law enacted by
our lust legislature wo fear tbat we cannot
take the desired action in tbe matter with,
out violating that law, which ol course we
do not think of doing. Now we admit that
the object of our combination or associat-
ing ourselves together aB a body, is to re-
duce the price of bugging, which 1b uu
article of merchandise, and if the move,
ment is successful it would have that el.
rect. We also admit that in the agreeing
to use cotton bagging to the exclusion of
the jute bagging if the agreement is car*
ried out, virtually bars the juto bagging
from free competition In the markets, and
does restrict trade as lar aB jute bagging is
concerned, and is In fact a conspiracy
against trade as to jute bagging, and we
justify our movement on tho grounds that
tliey (the manufacturers of jute bagging)
first conspired against us; and we see no
rodress for our grievances only for the
farmers to associate themselves together as
a body and virtually boycott these jute es-
tablishments until we obtain our object-
that is, a cheaper covering for our cotton
Now we as law abiding citizens do not
wish to become violators of the law, and
we have deferred taking uny action in the
matter until we could become lully inform-
ed on tho subject. We have read the luW'
careluily, and from the reading, as we un-
derstand it, us an individual, a man might
use whateverhe pleased and pay such pr.ee
as he pleased for a covering for his cotton,
but If we went beyond that and too*
definite action as a body for the purpose o I'
effecting a reduction of the price of an
article of merchandise, by barring that
article by our action from free competition
In the market, restricting thj trade in thu
same, and probably causing great pecuni-
ary loss to the dealers, who bad invested
their money in jute bagging, by our refus-
iug to use it at any price this season, wc
should by such action lay ourselves liable
to prosecution under the trust law. Wc
the undersigned, were appointed as a com.
mittee to coufer with tbe proper authori-
ties and obtain full Information on tbo sub-
ject and report t'ae same to the next iusbs
meeting of tbe farmers, to be held at Pilot
Point on the 8th day of Juno. We hopo
that you will carefully examine tbe law
and obtain tbe opinion of the attorney gen-
eral, if necessary, on the subject, and give
ub the necessary information at your earli-
est convenience. Respectfully,
[Signed] W. Holford,
AV. M. William
C. COl'knhaven,
Committee.
Attorney Genkral's Office, )
Austin, June 18, 1880. J
J. T. Bottorr, Esq., County Attorney,
Denton, Texas:
Dear SirFrom the statement contained
In the enclosure of your letter ol the 27th
ultimo, the combination of fanners is in-
tended to prevent competition in the "pur-
chase of merchandise," and is therefore a
violation ol sub-division it, section 1, as
well us other portions of the "Trust bill."
Your duty is to enforce all provisions of
the law, without respect to class: and as
tbe commmittee ask you tho plain question
on a statement of facts show ing that tbe
intended organization has for its object a
violation of tho statute defining and pro-
hibiting the like, you should warn them of
the consequences iftbe combination should
be perrected. Very truly,
[Signed] J. S. Hogg,
Attorney General.
Tiik columns or Texas newspapers oon-
tlnue to be burdened with the names of
prospective candidates for governor. The
time has not yet come for The Mercury
to suggest names, but it will take occasion
right here to advise its readers to keep their
"weather eye wide open." The Farmers
Alliance, as has been repeatedly stated, Is
strictly non-partisan, but this fact does not
preclude its members—either in their Indi-
vidual capacity or as members of the order
—from discussing men and measures.
There are groat reforms which are impera-
tively demanded by tbe great body of the
people or Toxas, which must be adopted
by the next state administration. Some of
these reforms will doubtless be Incorpo-
rated In the party platforms, but this
should not be enough to satisfy the laboring
and producing classei of the state. Plat-
forms in the past have signified little, or
nothing. In fact, they have as a rule been
Ignored. We should demand declarations
and pledges from candidates, and such
pledges should not be too general in their
terms. These pledges should be plain,
pointed and rull as to tha reforms demand-
ed, without either qualifications or reser-
vations. No man should be supported
whose declarations do not show clearly that
ha ia in sympathy with tbe people. There
are good men in Texas, whom the people
could trust.
CONDENSED CORRESPONDENCE.
From Boyce Thomas of Tehuucana, we
have tbo lollowinii:
"Plenty of whom and s me bog meat
Is mlulity hard to bent."
Bra. W. B. Sheltou says: "if the church,
with the help of God, can't compete with
infidels without creeping into the consti-
tution undor cover of the Blair bill, that
the government help Him, He'd better give
up His coin sh." •
Bro. E. it. Johnson, writing in answer to
Bi'o. J. C. Dcuun, regarding lecturers,
says: "While his remedy might be good,
we can say to the brother If he will just
call on Bro. James B. Webb of Abillne,
they won't need uny candy nor cowhide
either, unless they are in the Alliance gear
better than we ure."
Lanbatn Alliance reports as follows
through Bro. E, E. Major: "Our Alliance
is moving along well. We have taken two
fraction ! shares of 95 each in the Ex-
change. We stand square ugainst the twine
aud bagging trust and endorse the action
of the Birmingham convention."
Bro. J. L. Taylor of Gonzales county, Is
in luck, good or bad: "1 can't write much
this time, and this is the reason why: 1
have visited so many picnics und eat so
much fine cake, and seen so many fine look-
lag people thut X am almost paralyzed."
Bro. J. B. Vaneo, Blue Branch, among
other good things, says truthfully: "Now,
brothers and Bisters, you cau make the or-
der just what you want it to be, and I do
say, why don't you do It? Come one, come
all. boldly to tho Alliance, that you may
iind help in time of need."
Bro. S. A. Dangloy of Kegley Hill Allí,
anco, Caldwell county, sends the following
pleasant information: "Our people aro
improving financially by adhering to Alii-
ancu principles, practicing economy and
good bartering, we huve manuged to re-
duce the crop mortgage abouts two-thirds
this year. I hope othor counties have sur-
passed even that."
Bro. W. E. Johnson of Brewster Prairie
Alliance, lted River county, says: "We
uro still on gaining grounds; some join,
get discouruged and quit, but idore stick
than quit. 1 think like old Bro. Day, of
Fulibright Alliance, *We all need more
sllckabilily to make good Alliance mon and
women of us.'"
Bro. J. M. Williams of Coleman pays ua
the following compliment: "Our paper
comes regularly und the last always seoms
tbe best. We are proud of The Mkrcury,
because of its bold and manly delense of
tho people's rights In pressing upon our
lust legislature to honestly discharge the
duties and lu.üll the promises made their
constituents when elected. 1 hope The
Mercury will continue to keep the rail-
road commission before the people, as
there will be another senate elected some
of these days."
Bro. J. B. D. Shows of Bibb county, Ala-
bama, Is pleased with Thk Mercury. He
snys: "I get your valuable paper every
week, which gives me more news about the
Alllnnce than any paper I take."
Bro. C. D. Craig, of Lovy county, Fia.,
also says something good 1'or The Meucu*
hy. Ho writes: "Your paper is lookod
upon as a great instructor here to the Alli-
ance people. I have been trying to get a
larger circulation lor it here. 1 think The
Mkrcury merits the patronage of Alliance
people, being solid and coming from the
grand father state ol the Alliance."
Bro. C. Y. Wilson of Bell county, writing
about the Alliance cause, says: "I believe
we have God on our side, who will aid the
toiling masses to free themselves from the
iron heel of monopoly. So let us rise in the
strength of our manhood and demand our
rights, and see that all get them. Stick to
our leaders and success will crown our
overy effort."
Bro. W. T. Flnley, lecturer of Rlchl and
Alliance, writes: "Up lo tbe last two
or three months we have been neither cold
nor hot, but we have revived up and be*
lieve we are going to get out of that dead
lethargy."
Bro. It. E. Jordon ol Little Ash Reed
Alliance, Hill couuty, says of the AliiaBce:
"We belong to one of the grandest organi-
zations on earth, outside of the church and
1 think we ail should rally to tbe support
of its institut ons, especially the Exchanga
and Tiie Mkrcury.1'
Writing from Okmulgee, Ala., Bro. W.
A. Fountain says: "It cannot be disputed
that Tiik Mkrcury is and haB been the
great eyeglass for the Alliance in other
states as well as Texas. While, of course,
you have made some mistakes, tbe reader
would be forced to tbe conclusion that it
wa* of the brain and not of the heart, and
I cannot see how nny Alliance man of
Texas can afford to be without it; the
work done by it is grand and noble in the
denunciation of trusts and combines to tbe
interest of all laborers."
Bio. A. B. Jones of Pilot Gtove, saysc
"Don't look back to the mistakes that bavs
be m mude, for they arc as water spilt on
the ground; it can't be gathered up again.
Therefore let us labor to keep harmony m
our ranks and remember tbe golden rule,
read The Mercury and keep posted at
to what there is for me to do for the suo«
cess of The Mercury and all Alliance
institutions."
Bro. Wm. T. Dunn of Calcasieu parish,
wishes to know "if it is immoral for a wo.
man to have three living husbands." la
Texas it is; in Utah, probably not. Then
again, it seems that it Is unlawful as well
at "Immoral."
In relation to the business agency of bit
county, Bro. G. R. Allen of Bastrop coun-
ty, says: "The business agency at Bastrop
will be tried again, and we think with more
hope of success than ever before, because
tbe Alliances seam determined to stand and
work together for Its success. They can
make it a success if tbey will, and we be*
lleve they will."
I)
A good sitter in Hunt county writes ua
at follows:
"1 would like to give through your good
paper a recipe and a substitute for clean-
ing pans, stoves and cookltag vessels: A
women c'.oth well saturated with kerosene
will polish alraott at nice at new. Now my
substitute, aud which is much more ecou*
otnlcal and gives perrect satisiaction, it to
u«o the Dallaa and Galveston News, tent
ut with an aniel oa jute and cottm bag-
ging marked. By using tbete papen wo
don't toll oor hands and save our woolen
ragt; neither do we patronize the Standard
oil trust, but eel tu- benefit or tbete pa-
"-"th*Ju o mo """" —
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
The Southern Mercury, Texas Farmers' Alliance Advocate. (Dallas, Tex.), Vol. 8, No. 37, Ed. 1 Thursday, September 12, 1889, newspaper, September 12, 1889; Dallas, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth186104/m1/4/: accessed April 27, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .