Southern Mercury United with the Farmers Union Password. (Dallas, Tex.), Vol. 25, No. 18, Ed. 1 Thursday, May 4, 1905 Page: 4 of 8
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SOUTHERN" MERCURY AND FARMERS UNION PASSWORD.
United with th«
FARMERS UNION PASSWORD.
Weakly.
Published every Thursday by the
Farmers Union Publishing Co.
One Dollar per year. In advance. Half
year. 50 cents.
Entered at the Dallas, Texas, postof-
fice as mall matter of the second class.
Main Office: 213-215 Commerce St.
fcorner Lamar, Gaston Building), Dal-
las. Texas
Chang* of Address—Subscribers re-
questing a change of address must give
the OLD as well aa the NEW address.
Advertising rates furnished upon ap-
plication. Address all communications,
and make all drafts, money orders, etc.,
payable to the
FARMERS UNION PUBLISHING CO..
DALLAS. TEXAS.
- THURSDAY, MAY 4, 1905.
ANNOUNCEMENT.
_As will be seen from our headlines
this week, the Southern Mcrcury has
been amalgamated with The Farmers'
Union Password. As Is well
known. the Mercury was found-
ed in 1880 by the farmers
of Texas and for many years was
conducted on the co-operative plan.
When the Farmers' Alliance was first
organised the Mercury was made Its
official organ, and during all that pe-
riod from the lnclplency of that move-
ment. through all its checkered ex*
perlenoe, till Its demise, the Mercury
was Its guiding star—Its faithful sen-
tinel on the watch tower, and the ar-
dent and earnest advocate of Its prin-
ciples.
When the Alliance was swept Into
the maelstrom of partisun poll-
tlce and wrecked, the Mercury
Btill stood for the principles ad-
vocated by the honest, patriotic men
who gave the Alliance birth and made
the unsuccessful struggle for Indus-
trial freedom. Through prosperity
and adversity; through sunshine find
' through storm. It hns never deserted
the people whose Ideals It championed
and whose confidence It enjoyed.
The farmers, though thwarted and
cast down In their effort3 to secure
that equity and freedom they so Just-
ly deserve, and profit ting by the ex-
perience 'so dearly bouRlit, letermlned
to make an another effort to shako off
the barnacles and leeches, commercial
and Industrial, which hav- weighted
them down and Impeded th> ir progress
and prosperity, and formed themselves
Into an organization, "The Farmers'
Educational and Co-operative Union
of America."
This organization, like the Or.uifTC.
the Wheel and the Alliance, founded
by plain, honest farmers who felt tiie
need of united action by all tillers of
soil along non-partlpan lines, guided
by the spirit of the Oolde.i Rule. The
Farmers' Educational and Co-opera-
tive Union, from Its humble origin, has
grown as few organisations have
ever grown. Though barely two yearH
have passed since It sprung Into ,ex-
istence. It has attained a growth real-
ly phenomenal, numbering something
over six thousand locals, embracing a
membership of nearly a quarter (,f a
million plain, sturdy, tillers of the soil
and those directly allied with them.
It promises ,'it an early day to Quad-
ruple Its membership. Already It has
State organizations in five States, and
other States are rapidly falling into
line. Its possibilities as to numbers
and Influence, are Incomprehensible.
Realizing the necessity and usefulness
of a medium for interchange of Ideas
and disseminating the principle-* of
the organization, thire was estab-
lished The Formers' Union Password,
which by Its conservatism and ear-
nestness and skillful management has
been no small factor in the growth and
prosperity of the organization. The
demand for better facilities for publi-
cation and distribution suggested the
removal of its principal office to Hal-
las. Satisfactory arrangements hav-
ing been effected, it has been consol-
idated with the Southern Mercury, so
widely and favorably known to the
farmers of Texas and the Southwest.
All unexpired subscriptions to either
the Mercury or the Password will bo
completed—so look at your label, and
see whether or not your subscrip-
tion lias expired. AH subscrib-
ers. whose time has expired, are
cordially requested to renew nr ad-
vise us of their wishes. Wo aslc every
member of the organisation to con-
sider the Mercury-Pass word an open
forum where he may discus,4 any and
every measure of profit or Interest to
the brotherhood' or to industrialists
generally. Partisan views will be
barred, but economic questions v ill l e
considered from the farmers point of
view and the widest range permitted
consortant with propriety and fair-
dealing. The price of subscription will
be the same as heretofore—$1.00 per
year. The paper will be improved from
time to time as its patronage will per-
mit. All communications niul busi-
ness letters should be addressed to
The Farmers' Union Publishing Co.,
Room 27, Gaston Bldg., Dallas, Texas.
CONSTITUTIONAL 8APEOUARD8.
Government, a condition of necessity,
was evolved from the aggregation of In-
dividuals into society. That the society
might exist,, have power ap a unit, each
Individual ftlember gave up a part of
bis Inherent and person-it right, con-
ferring the same upon the society. The
society, to be operative, and to achieve
the end for which It was intended, must
rest upon a series of formulas that will
govern It, these formulas, each one, be-
ing specific and explicit In what It sets
forth and what It requires, each one
dovetailing Into the other, so that while
they are Inter-dependent as a whole
the whole is independent of each sin-
gle part. When a portion of the hu-
mm family come together, and form
& nation, this nation is but the society
and the terms of the merg-
er of Inter-dependent formulas
le called a constitution;
litis
guidance, control and coheslveness, In-
deed. The people of the State form
among themselves various societies for
special purposes, social, educational
moral, self-protective, eleemosynary, or
What not, like the Masons, Odd Fel-
lows. Knights of Honor, The Grange,
The Farmers' Co-operative and Edu-
cational Union, for Illustration. Each
one of these organizations formulates,
that is, prepares and publishes, a con
stltution for Its government, control
and direction, and this constitution
must be paramount, must be actually
supreme, imperative and irresistible In
Its requirements and behests, else the
organisation will go to pieces. The
constitution Is the centripetal, or co-
hesive force, holding an organization
together, while disobedience thereof,
disrespect therefor and defiance of
Its provisions. Is the centrifugul force
tearing the organisation asunder and
destroying It.
A constitution of an organization of
people, like the Farmers' Union, for In-
stance, should start out with a declara-
tion of the purposes, objects and alms
of the organisation. This, you may
call the Hill of Rights or Declaration of
Principles. Next, the name of the or
ganlzation should be given, its officers
enumerated, and also the committees to
assist, or work with, or Independent of
these officers. Then comes the most
important part In the preparation of
the constitution, the prescribing of the
duties of each officer und of each com-
mittee. Too much care cannot be ob-
served in doing this. The duty incum-
bent upon each officer and each com-
mittee should be most specifically and
explicitly set forth In detail, the rights
of the organization being Jealously
guarded, and no authority beyond that
really necessary, delegated to any of-
ficer or to any committee. Above and
beyond a>l things, the submission of all
questions, of all actions not directly
and plainly provided fof in the duties
of officers and committees, to tfce organ-
ization, should be required, and In such
terms that no one can misunderstand.
Th« time'for annual meetings should be
provided for. Provision should be mads
for special general meetings. The man-
ner of (.-hanging the organic law and
the adoption or rejection of those
changes, and how the vote thereon shull
be taken and counted, should be very
plainly set forth so that there could
never be doubt or quibble over the pro-
vision. The monthly pay of officers an.1
members of committees, when pay is
allowed, should be fixed, also the pay,
If any, of delegates to State meetings,
regular or called. Eligibility to mem-
bership and obligation of members,
when admitted, should be set forth.
This being the outline of a constitution
for a State organization, a set of needed
by-laws strictly in harmony there-
with, outlining the order of business,
the question of eligibility of delegates,
how questions shall be discussed and
voted on, and such like things should
be adopted as by-laws, subject to
change at any meeting by a two-thirds
vote of all delegates attending the meet-
ing.
The by-laws should prescribe a form of
procedure for the adjustment of differ-
ences which might arise among the of-
ficers or members of the organization—
fixing the power to call meetings, ap-
point Investigating committees, define
limits of testimony, how and.by whom
It shall be secured, etc, etc.
Now, this is merely the outline of a
constitution for ,-i general or Stale or-
ganization, made up of subordinate or-
ganizations, like the Farmers' Union,
for Instance. For these subordinate
and component organizations, like the
Local Unions, to Illustrate, there ought
to be a constitution, identical for each
one, in strict harmony, and along the
same lines, with the general constitu-
tion. under which each Local Union
enn Iftnke by-laws to suit Its special
requirements. The main point Is for
the subordinate organizations, the Lo-
cal Unions, we will say, to retain the
right of referendum. When the de-
mand is insistent for the Immediate
formation and completion of the State
Union, it Is In the very nature of the
case, impracticable to refer It to the
locals for ratification, as was the case
when the Mineola constitution of the
Farmers' Educational and Co-Operative
Union was formulated. But once the
institution 1^ started and under head-
way. then it becomes an easy matter
to submit all proposed constitutional
amendments to the membership who
support the whole organization, a two-
thirds vole being necessary for their
adoption. The votes must be canvassed
by the proper authority and the result
announced before said amendments can
be In force. To make this point perfect-
ly plain, let us review a little history.
In February last the annual State meet-
ing of the Farmers' Union met in Fort
Worth. A committee on constitutional
amendments was created. This com-
mittee formulated certain amendments
and Incorporated same Into tlie State
Constitution in such manner as to
make It In a sense a new constitution,
and said: "This constitution and by-
laws are amendatory of the constitu-
tion aiid by-laws adopted at Mineola.
Texas, February IS, 1904." it thus, by
its own declaration, recognized that
there was a constitution In force, but
th* majority of this constitutional
amendment commltteo, and of this
State meeting, made a fatal blunder
by declaring In section 31 as follows:
"It Is hereby provided that this con-
stitution shall become effective from
date of Its adoption by this State
Union." Mark the words, "by tills
State Union," which means that the
moment a two-thirds vote of the dele-
gates present was counted and an-
nounced favoring it, those amend-
ments went Into full force and
effect. The Mineola constitution,
under authority of which tho
Fort Worth meeting was held, pro-
vides In section 29 that It cannot be
amended until ratified by a two-thirds
vote of the local Unions. Could the Fort
Worth meeting legally and authorita-
tively put Into effect this "amendatory
constitution" of Its own motion, by
Its vote, even had It been a unanimous
vote? The Mineola constitution says
no. It also requires a two-thirds vote
before the local unions can give It
life, can put it Into ,force. Yet we
Bee that the State officials, the execu-
tive committee, Ignores the Mineola
constitution and recognizes this new
constitution. The "flew ' constitu-
tion" provides tor nn advisory
committee, which advisory com
mlttee has assumed to per«
the duties provided tot It be*
rmutee
form Um
fore the
ments. The Mineola constitution pre-
scribes the duties of the executive
committee. The new constitution en
larges these dutlas, placing almost un
limited power In the hands of this
committee and It goef ahead doing Its
work in accordance with this new con-
stitution, knowing It has not been rat-
ified by the local unions snd it cannot
know whether it has been ratified until
next July—the time it fixes for can-
vassing the vote. It was clearly an
act of Indefensible usurpation on the
part of the majority of the delegates,
and this agreement to thus usurp
power has thus virtually been endorsed
and enforced by our state committee.
A WORD OF CAUTION.
Those proposed constitutional amend-
ments, Sees. 30, 31 and 32, are so ambig-
uously worded as to leave the reader In
some doubt as to Just what is really
meant. But this much is certain: Sec-
tion 31 does fasten upon the member-
ship this "amendatory constitution"
family was found shoring three rooms
with eighteen lodgers. Born under such
utterly, demoralising, disease-breeding
conditions, what hope is there for the
miserable children of the slums? Ma-
caulay predicted that the Huns and
vandals who would ultimately destroy
our civilization would be born and
bred in our midst.
Every farmer wants what his prod-
ucts are worth. Some want more, than
they are worth; all expect less than
they are worth. It's a case of "haff to.'
It's either sell for less than an equitable
price, or not sell at all. Nor can they
ever hope to command a fair price,
short of combined action. Therefore
every farmer should Join the Farm-
ers' Union to help control prices of
farm products. Decline to do this, and
you stand In your own light and vir-
tually antagonize the Interests of your
own class.
Some of our subscribers will find.
without their consent, and establishes] upon exxamining the date on the ad
a precedent by which ail future State dress label, that their subscription Is
meetings may override the fundamental
law without reference to the rank and
file. Therefore, to be on the safe side
let us take every available precaution
against the elimination of the referen-
dum and vote this amendment down.
'•"Therefore, The Mercury-Password
recommends that every Union re adopt
section 29 of the Mineola State consti
tution in lieu of sections 30, 31 and 32
of this anti-referendum instrument
Some Unions have adopted section 32,
believing that by adopting it and re-
jecting sections 30 and 31 the referen-
dum principle wouiti be retained. Other
Unions, local and county, equally In fa-
vor of the referendum, have rejected
sections 30, 31 and 32, on the theory
that by rejecting these three clauses,
all of which are in reality amendatory
to section 29 of the Mineola constitu-
tion, this section 29 would therefore
stand, and since the three amendments
to ttime were voted down. But here Is
danger of confusion.
To be reasonably assured of safety,
and leave little chance for quibbling,
every Union favoring the referendum
should specially endorse section 29 of
the Mtneola constitution, as well as re-
ject the three amendments in question.
Brethren, let us steer clear of traps
and pitfalls.
Gov. Jeff Davis of Arkansas possess-
es in an eminent degree the faculty of
forcible expression, and also has a well
developed backbone. When he ex-
presses himself no one Is In doubt as to
his meaning. In these respects he stands
out in refreshing contrast to the typ-
ical politician. And whenever he ex-
presses himself he says something. You
may not agree with him, perhaps, but
you can at least easily place him. How
unlike most governors! In his speech
before the Arkansas Farmers' Union he
declared that if any of tlie farmers
were convicted under the anti-trust law
for the offense of fixing a price on their
own products, he had pardons on ice
ready for all such cases.
about to expire, or has already done
so. We like neither to mail out person-
al duns, nor to cut these friends off
the mailing list. We hope we shall not
be required in any case to do either.
But we ask our readers to keep in mind
that we cannot-run a paper on sen-
timent unless that sentiment Is backed
by cash. Please look at your mailing
tag. and if your time is up, accept this
as our Invitation to renew your sub-
scription. Subscriptions are always
payable in advance.
"There Is no class of men In our so-
ciety more hateful or more dangerous
than unprincipled lawyers. When we
think of the manner In which some of
them have sold their legal talent to
gigantic plunderers; how they have put
their vast learning at the service of
men whom they knew to be bent on
the perpetration of colossal wrongs, it
is hard for any honest man to stand in
their presence and hold back the flam-
ing word of Indignation."—Washington
Gadden.
The Texas Midland Railroad has fit-
ted up an egg and poultry car, wh'ch
will pass over its line regularly at
stated times, stopping at each station
wherever consignments are on band.
The car will go straight through to New
York, and the claim is made that this
will give the farmer the benefit of
car-lot rates, no matter how small each
person's consignment. The company
will charge a commission of 5 per cent.
The president of the State Farmers'
Union of Arkansas. Bro. J. T. Button,
of Tucker, Is a typical farmer, honest,
earnest, intelligent and straightforward,
and has had previous experience as a
county executive in farmers' orgniza-
tlons. He will devote a considerable
portion of his time in the lecture field
building up the Union and encouraging
and advising with the membership.
Don't fall to get your nonsUnlon neigh-
bors out whenever any capable Farm-
ers' Union lecturer makes a date. The
vice president-elect. Dr. C. M. Norwood,
is a veteran Wheeler, and a man of
force and experience.
W. A. Sansom, secretary and general
manager of the Standard Mutual Live-
stock Association of Dallas, Tex., has
proporsition to make the secretaries
and business agents of the Unions by
which they can make some extra money
for themselves, and at the same time
benefit the members of the Unions.
Look for the advertisement of the
Standard Mutual Livestock Insurance
Association in this Issue of The Mer-
cury-Password. and write to them to
them for the proposition. Mention The
Mercury-Password.
Ye crimsoVi-crested secretary-elect of
Arkansas State Union, Bro. Ben L.
Griffin. Is as live a man as one can find
In many days' travel. But with tho
combined duties of State set retary and
organizer he will doubtless be afforded
ample opportunity for the expenditure
of all his surplus exuberance of spir-
its. The Union secretaries In that State
will make their reports and remittances
to him at Nashville, Ark. Bro. Griffin
possesses both the ability and the en-
thusiastic interest in the cause requi-
site to making a thoroughly satisfactory
officer.
The Arkansas boys made a Judl-
ctous selection of state officers, but In
some cases It was hard to make a de-
cision between equally suitable men
The executive committee Is a splendid
body of men, and after a little lime for
more Intimate acquaintance with the
work before them, will doubtless de-
monstrate excellent capacity for ad-
ministrative service. The chairman,
Bro. H. N. Bulgier, formerly of Van
Zandt Co.. Tex.. Is a clear-headed and
promising young man, with a career of
usefulnes sbefore him: and Indeed th I
entire committee Is composed of men
who assume their tasks with that earn-
estness which is so essential to success.
Some correspondents, writing to
headquarters and to this paper, forget
to sign their.-names or give their ad-
dresses. Sometimes money orders are
sent, and not a line is written to say
who it is from, or what It Is for. In
writing concerning Union matters, the
name of the Union should be given, to-
gether with County and State, and the
writer should not fail to sign his name
and give postoffice address.
Members of the Union In each State
division should loyally support their
State papers and learn to rely on them
as their local medium of interchange.
This done, they may depend upon The
Mercury-Password as the representa-
tive journal of general organization
to keep them Informed on all matters
pertaining to the Union at large, and
In all the States.
aim to reach. Our entire office force
has been rushed, and has been laboring
under difficulties which will soon be
overcome. Bear in mind that various
Improvements are contemplated.
Six weeks ago a Dallas Arm Inserted
an advertisement In one issue of The
Password. Since Its appearance anoth-
er Dallas Krm, a competitor, has already
spent 910,000 In an effort to counteract
the influence of that single advertise-
ment. The latter firm Is very hostile
to the Farmers' Union.
Do not forget that once an objec-
tionable amendment Is ratified and
becomes a part of the constitution, it
may be a difficult matter to ever get
It repealed. Therefore give every pro-
posed amendment close scrutiny.
Careful, boys, careful!
As the principal office of The Mer-
cury-Password will be at Dallas from
now on. always address The Mercury
Password at Dallas. Room 27, Gaston
Bldg.
An Indianapolis daily reports that an
average of 122 bushels of corn per acre
was raised on nineteen acres of land In
Marlon county, Indiana. Tlwt's "sum."
Bro. J. D. Montgomery, accompanied
by U. M. Burklow, dropped In at the
Mercury-Password office Monday, and
talked in his breezy manner on Union
matters. He was en route for home
where he will rusticate for some days,
The Mercury-Password office Is just
across the street from the Cotton Belt
depot and the Dallas News office, and
the latch string is on the outside. Take
the elevator.
Back of the "good roads" agitation,
which is raised from time to time. Is
usually found some scheme of graft,
bond Issues, etc.
A French scientist predicts that the
future man will be legless. Are there
not also some Indications that the fu-
ture scientist will still be brainless?
If you favor the referendum, vote
down sections 30, 31 and 32 of the
new constitution." and demand that
section 29 of the Mineola constitution
be retained.
The death of Gen. Fltzhugh Lee re-
moves one of the few remaining great
leaders of the Lost Cause. His memory
will long be honored.
Tell your friends that our arrange-
ments are now such that the paper
will be issued regularly as clock-
work.
The Union Educator, published at
Guln, Ala., by I. A- Worley, Is a
recent addition to the local press of the
Farmers' Union movement.
Sample copies of The Mercury-Pass-
word will be cheerfully sent to any per-
son who asks for them. If you need
extrac opies as samples or sub-
scription blanks, write us. In the mean-
time, cut the blank subscription form
out of the paper you have, fill it with
names of subscribers and receive the
watch or one of the pens we are giving
away.
It is welt to be cautious and keep
Union business within the Union so far
as practicable. But while there are
many questions which It were better.
If possible, to discuss solely Inside the
walls of the Union, yet the supreme
consideration is to preserve the purity
of the organization, even though It be-
comes necessary to "wash some dirty
linen" in broad daylight to do so.
The attention of our readers is called
to the announcement of our premium
proposition, wherein we offer to give
away handsome and useful presents to
those who will take the trouble to do
a little missionary work for The Mer-
cury-Password.
County and local secretaries, and or-
ganizers. In all the States and territor-
ies, nre requested to keep us informed
about union matters within their juris-
diction and to write any other matter
for the Mercury-Password that they
think will be of interest to members
of the order.
Brethren. If you pass resolutions
containing any strictures upon present
policies of Union officials, do not send
them to the non-union papers. You
merely desire to reach the members
and this can be done sufficiently
through the union press. "A hint to
the wise," etc.
The continuous growing of one crop
usually results in more or less injury
to the soil, while rotation of crops over-
comes this tendency.
Hard, close thinking often proves
more effective than mere hard work.
The planner accomplishes triore than
the plodder.
Alarm Clock Blount of Anderson
County, swears he Is going to run for
Governor of Texas.
Don't expect the Union to do much
for you unless you do something for
yourself and for the Union.
Always mention The Mercury-Pass-
word when writing our advertisers.
The Texas Federation of Labor is In
session at Denlson.
Read our premium offer, and then
get a hustle on.
The new constitution submitted at
the Fort Worth meeting Is being rap-
idly acted upon by local unions. Sees.
30 and 31 should not be adopted, be-
cause they forfeit the dtrect power of
the membership to make their consti-
tution. Sees. 8. 10 and 13, of art. 2. are
dangerous because they give too much
power to the central head of the order.
The membership should haw the power
to Initiate all law as well as to approve
of It after It Is formed.—Journal-News.
J, 8. Turner, who conducted the or-
ganisation In Arkansas quite success-
fully up to the time their State Union
Was formed last week, haa return/d to
hip home near Caddo Mills, Tex. W.
O. Bertram, his efficient assistant, has
returned to Myrtle Springs.
A Philadelphia committee of Inspec-
tion has reported that It found one ten
contained
obtained MB families of we purpose
thirty-four roams One U ap to 1
Our readers outside of Texas will
pardon us if we devote considerable
space just at this time to the fight for
n democratic State Union constitution
It Is partly your fight we are making,
for the policies in this State vitally Ef-
fect the future of the organization In
all other States.
See that every member of your lo-
cal reads The Mercury-Password. Point
out to him that It's decidedly the largest
the best and the oldest Union paper:
has a fine corps of Farmers' Union cor-
respondents, besides furnishes the cur-
rent news of State and nation as well.
"The National Boot and Shoe Manu-
facturers' Association" was organized
recently In New York. In this age of
associated effort, that class which falls
to organise Is sure to be Imposed on
from every side, and cannot protect It-
self. In union there Is strength and
success. \
Every organiser In the Held should
keep In close touch with The Mercury-
Password and notify us of his tempora-
ry postoffice address from time to time.
Our heading this week la not what
to M: neither la
THE MOUNTAIN LABORED.
The mountain labored and brought
forth a mouse. The farmers of Texas
petitioned the railroad companies to
grant them relief from the merciless
extortion of the railroads In cotton
freight rates. They asked for only a
reduction of twenty (20) cents on the
one hundred (100) pounds from com-
mon points. The railroad attorneys
made long winded and mendacious
speeches against the reduction, and
enlisted the help of their employes'
unions, the help of the compresses In
Texas and In Arkansas and a locust
cloud of swift witnesses. The farmers
simply stated their grievance In a
modest, respectful petition, asking for
an equalization of freight rates, so
that cotton should not bear an unfair
proportion of transportation charges.
The commission took the matter under
advisement, for weeks the mountain
travailed, and at last was delivered of—
a mouse. Asked for a reduction of
20 cents on the 100 pounds. It granted
a reduction of 5 cents on the 100
pounds, or 25 cents on a bale weighing
hoo pounds. Commissioner Colquitt re-
commended and advocated a reduc-
tion of 9 cents per 100 pounds, and
according to a published statement
he will sign the order for the less
reduction on the ground that some-
thing Is better than nothing.
This reduction of 25 cents on a 500
pound bale will save to the farmers of
Texas not less than $700,000. The rail-
roads argued that a reduction of the
cotton rate would not In Ore to the benefit
of the farmer, but to the cotton buyer,
because the buyer would not give any
more for cotton. We will see. The
railroads heretofore have trusted to
the credulity of the farmers, but they
will awaken very suddenly to the fact
that they are mistaken. The Intelli-
gent farmer knows the price of cotton
in New York arid Liverpool and New
Orleans, just as well as the cotton
buyer, and knows what the price must
be at the point of sale Including the re-
duced freight rate of 25 cents a bale,
and will have It Just that way.
Friday -last the railroad attorneys
were In'San Antonio holding a con-
clave. Within the shadow of the
Alamo, the blood consecrated temple of
liberty, the sacred monument to the
memory of the Illustrious patriots and
heroes of Texas, who died for the
rights of the people, for equal rights
to all; these men, hired by the merci-
less corporations, because of their skill
and expertneaa In twisting and con-
torting the law were in counsel, and
for what? To devise ways and means
for defeating the action of the legts-
certaln laws, to-wit:
the Love bill, which taxes the gross
receipts of railroads; the Williams in-
tangible assets biU: and the franchise
tax bill. These laws, these attorn ays
estimate, will force the railroads of
Texas to pay In {axes to the State;
somewhere about fl.000,000 per an-
num more than they have been pay-
ing. Have they ever paid a tythe of
what they ought to have been assessed,
for what Texas has done and Is doing
for them? Have they every paid. In
even a remote degree, upon the valua-
tion they claim the right to make a
dividend, $40,000 per mile. In propor-
tion to what other property of the
same aggregate In value pays? Ha'.-e
they ever paid even upon their actual
value, as a basis of assessment. In
proportion to the same amount In val-
uation of other property? The tax
rolls In the counties and In the comp-
troller's office say not. Yet, through
their attorneys, they are hatching a
scheme, to evade the taxes they are
required by these bills to pay, the fair
proportion of the burden of taxation
they ought to bear. They are going to
take these matters to the courts. They
have exploited their Infamies In courts
heretofore and won, and they hope to
do so again.
They are also going to take this act
of the Railroad Commission in the re-
duction of a pitiful 6 cents per 100
pounds on the cotton rate to the
courts, so the dally papers says. One
of the learned brethren of the guild,
In his speech to the Railroad Commis-
sioner, pleading with anguish In his
voice, (at so much per anguish) and
tears, almost. In his eyes, against a
reduction of the cotton freight rate,
said the railroads were at the mercy of
the commission; that they could not
afford to appeal from the decision to
the courts; and he implored the com-
mission to have mercy ttpon the poor
(?) railroads that were struggling to
keep out of the poorhouse—straining
every point to keep the wolf from the
door! Yet the roads. It Is published,
will take the matter Into the courts,
asking that the commission be re-
strained from enforcing this reduction
of 5 cents on the 100 pounds, to stop
this poor, little lnslgntflcant 5 cents
reparation. Find the railroad in this
country whose president, whose gen-
eral manager, whose general superin-
tendent, whose general freight agent,
whose general passenger agent, has
not his private car, with the most lux-
urious appointments, its lockers filled
with fine liquors, Its elegant refriger-
ator stored with ice cold beer, and
wines, with his skilled, artistic chef to
prepare his costly and delicious viands,
with his retenue of trained servants
to come at the call of his silver bell,
to go at his command! Their offi-
cials of high degree with princely sal-
aries, (one president was paid $100,000
per annum salary, and was given a
bonus of $500,000 to accept the posi-
tion) and those of low degree also, go
junketing over the country like lords
of the realm, while the roads plead
poverty. The plain, common people,
the tillers of the soil, may eat corn
bread and bacon and wear coarse,
cheap apparel and what reck they,
so they fare sumptuously and are clad
In fine linen and purple provided by
exorbitant freight charges?
F. E- A C. U. of A.
Official Raster ef 8tats Union*
General Headquarters, Greenville, Ta*.
N. C. Murray, President, Kingston. t
E. A. Calvin. Vice-President, Wales.
Newt Gresham. Secretary-Treasurer
Point.
J. D. Montgomery. Organizer, Gordon.
J. P. Lane. Chaplain, Gallatin.
T. F. Gentry. Doorkeeper. Italy.
A. C. Neece, Conductor, Fruitland.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
W. T. Loudermilk. Chairman. Proctor
W. A. Shaw. Secretary, Dallas.
O. P. Pyle. Mbieola.
\V. D. Lewis. Cornhill.
B. F. Hok-omb. Campbell.
Jno. T. Garner, Business Agent.
Indiahoma State ynien.
S. O. Dawes. President, Cordell, O. r.
J. P. Connors. Vice-President. Canadian;
I. T.
3. S. Moore. Secretary-Treasurer, Hea%
O. T.
A. J. Carter. General Organizer, I.lnd-
sey. I. T. \
Rev. P. C. E/stls, Chaplain, Snyaer. O. T.
J. H. Krttner, Conductor, Stonewall, I. T,
J. E. Gunter, Doorkeeper, Muldrow, I. T«
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
A. Frank Ross, Chairman. Durant, I. T.
W. H. Lancaster. Secretary. Rolf, I. t
Campbell Russell. Hereford. I. T.
R. J. Ward, Oak Lodge, I. T.
J. W. Harrison, Roosevelt. O. T.
A CHANGE OF FRONT.
It Is funny to note how a union pa-
per, operated by a member of the ex-
ecutive committee, has finally been
"smoked out" of its oyster silence rel-
ative to the referendum. At the elev-
enth hour It read "the handwriting
on the wall;" it saw that the game was
up, that the subtile argument of silent
approval of this attempted destruc-
tion of the right of suffrage had been
defeated by the vigorous, open fight
made by the Password. It saw, furth-
ermore, that having kept discreetly
silent and non-committal, editorially,
on the subject, until no doubt remains
"how the cat Is Jumping," and what
the sentiment of the people Is, it had
still a fighting chance to partly redeem
redeem itself by declaring for the ref-
erendum at this late hqur, and thus,
perhaps, still manage to gain credit
for its recent claim that it was opposed
to those anti-referendum sections all
the while.
That paper well knew that several
counties which met Just after this
"new constitution" was sent out. In
their loyalty and confidence simply In-
dorsed It In toto, with little debate or
Investigation, acting oh the presump-
tion that the right thing had been
done. It saw that unless a note of
warning was sounded, the new docu-
ment might probably be thus adopted
carelessly by most of the remaining
counties, Just as the first counties did.
It saw this, yet kept silent as the
grave! Meanwhile the subtile influ-
ences of officialdom were steadily ex-
erted In favor of th^jimendments. The
Password waited merely long enough
to give them time to show their real
desires in the matter and thiSn lntugu-
rated this agitation, which has now
grown so strong as to sweep one of
the edltor-committeemen off his feet
into the referendum column. (Thai
is, he now favors It as an editor, but
as a committeeman, he "stands pat.")
Yes, now, after a number of the bi
couptles have spoken so emphatically,
now, when this demand for the con-
servation of the right of suffrage has
grown so ominously loud and strong
that Its enemies, both open and covert,
quake and tremble;
Now, at this late day, how amusing
to see some of these officials at head-
quarters hedge and squirm and finally
climb Into the referendum band-
wagon! Soon will the whole push
come across, swearing vociferously by
the great horn spoon that they were
strictly In favor of the referendum all
the while.
Can they hope to regain your full
confidence by "coming across" only
after It has become apparent that the
battle has been virtually won, regard-
les of whether they help or hinder?
Can we forget that their Insidious pol-
icy of non-discussion was agreed upon,
and that a few counties had already
walked confidingly Into the enclosure
before The Farmers' Union Password
opened the campaign in behalf of de-
mocracy as opposed to despotism?
Remember, actions speak louder than
words. Another editor-committee man,
who was also on the constitution
committee which first presented those
objectionable sections, still adheres to
tho original agreement and policy of
non-discussion af constitutional frtn-
Louisiana State Union.
L. N. Holmes. President. Bernioe.
J. E. Bullard. Vice-President. Belmont.
J. W. Boyett. Jr.. Sec.-Treas.. T&nnehllL
S. T. Williams, State Organizer, Grand
Cand.
J. A. Ambrose. Chaplain. Ruston.
A. B. COle. Conductor. Doyline.
Thos. McCain, Doorkeeper, Brown.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
W T. Field. Chairman. r>ul>herlv.
W. H. Wise. Secretary, Bernice.
W. L. Parker, Paragon.
N. A. Cuierbtaon, Btenvilld, Rt. 1.
I. N. McCollister, Rattan.
Arkansas 8tate Union.
J. T. Batton, President, Tuckerman.
C. M. Norwood. Vice-President. Stamps, a.
Ben L. Griffin, Secretary-Treasury gf
Nashville. ^
W. B. Mason. Chaplain. Guy.
J. W. Blackford. Conductor, Joneaboof
G. I. Vandyke. Doorkeeper, Magnet.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
H. N, Bulger, Chairman. Hope.
J. D. Oliphant. Secretary, Agnos.
C. D. Milner, McXoil.
L. A. Reece, Shover Springs,
J. M. Glass. Swifton.
NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS.
During the past three months cor«
respondence for publication has ac-
cumulated to such an extent thai
It has been impossible to maka
an Intelligent selection for tha
limited space available. At this writ-
ing there are over 120 letters for pub-
lication on file in this office, which
we have been unable to handle. How-
ever, we will say that beginning with
next week this mass of accumulated
correspondence will be edited and
published in regular order, and here-
after we shall be better prepared to
handle communications satisfactorily,
Don't hesitate to write to us on any
subject which you deem of interest ta
the Farmers' Union and beneficial ta
Its growth and autonomy. Bo slioif
and pointed.
ALWAY8 BEATS THE FARM Eh.
In the May number of Everybody'*
Magazine Mr. Charles E. Russell, to
his article on "The Greatest Trust in
the World," shows exactly how this
Beef Trust manipulates the market,
"On Monday, Feb, 6, 1905," he says, "tha
Chicago receipts of hogs were light—
33,000—as against 56,000 on the prevl-*
ous Saturday. This afforded the exact
situation that best suits the trust man-
agers. They can make prices as they
please, and they put up the price oi
hogs 25 cents a hundred weight. As
the offerings were light, their purchases
at the high figures were few. As soon
as the advance price had been widely,
telegraphed (and the cunning super-*
vision of market quotations has been
reduced by the trust to an absolute sci-
ence) a great rush of hogs was started
from all directions. On Wednesday,
they arrived. Immediately the trust
put the price down to 15 cents lower
than Monday's opening figures, and at
this rate bought immense droves, with'
which they proceeded to fill cellars." ,
IS IT A BUNCOING 8YSTEM, Oil
BANKING SYSTEM?
This competitive system is what Gen.
Sherman said of war—It Is hell! In
one instance, as In many more, the bank
loans the money you have earned and
deposited with it to so-called "busi-
ness men," who are mostly Citizens'
Alliance men, believers In the "divine
right" to trade, for them.
Who are in the competitive HELZ*
where over 90 per cent actually fall,
(according to statistics?) Is It anj)|
wonder the bank at Owosso, Michigan,
had to close Its doors? There are othef'
instances, like the First National Bank
of Milwaukee, (we only hear of the in-
stances where they are caught), bul
the facts just brought te light at Mil-
waukee prove that the banks' funds ar*/,
not only loaned to the gamblers In the
nation's food supplies, but In this case
the president did the same.
This simply shows that you are fur-
nishing the means for the other fellow,
to own the machines, that you should,
and can, co-operatively own, not to
manufacture goods for this capitalist!*!
hell, but for your own use.
Then your little savings are absolute-
ly safe. IT CANNOT FAIL! Ain't you
tired of supporting the system? Have
you not worn shoddy clothes long
enough? Have you not exposed your
person to SWEAT SHOP GERMS too
long already? Do you want HONEST
goods?
If you do. you will have to own tho
machines! Do you want your savings
where you know they are safe, where
you know they are not loaned out to
be used for your oppression?
Then write for our plans (gladly given
free). Investigate our references. If
satisfied, Invest those savings co-oper-
atlvely with thousands of others, and
you wUI soon see some presidents of
some corporations, who defy Federal
and State authorities, and now draw
salaries larger than that of the Presi-
dent of the United States, doing their
part of honest toll for society!
We Invite you to say if this Isn't so,
and to write your "Uncle Johnny" and
tell him If you are to be counted In or
not.
He Is the first to come out squsrely
and fairly and make It possible for you
to be free, and not afraid to call a
spade a spade, or to call your attention
to the president of the'National Bank-
ers' association In his position as pres-
ident of the First National bank of Mil-
waukee, Wis. Yours truly,
RIO GRANDE WOOLEN MILLS COW
(CO-OPERATIVE.)
Albuquerque, N. M.
H.
£
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Southern Mercury United with the Farmers Union Password. (Dallas, Tex.), Vol. 25, No. 18, Ed. 1 Thursday, May 4, 1905, newspaper, May 4, 1905; Dallas, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth186189/m1/4/: accessed April 27, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .