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Newspaper
The Progressive Farmer
Location
Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
Date
Aug 21, 1894
Page
2
A damaged excerpt urges readers to include a post office name and signature when writing to advertisers. It references readers seeing a publication ad and hints at timing labels on stamps, then shifts to a poetic, unfinished reflection on country governance and roads ahead.
The Reform Advocate from Statesville comments on funding of politicians and criticizes party finance. It notes tariff tax changes on whiskey, NC platform on liquor tax, and remarks on public notices for the Eighth district senator convention. It cites national and state political figures and alliances, and ends with a weather-related rainfall anecdote tied to Mr. Cook’s acceptance speech.
The State Alliance has authorized formation of the Alliance Manufacturing Company to produce shoes clothing hats and tanning leather. The Progressive Farmer urges members to prepare and support the venture as a bold forward push. The piece criticizes Democratic leadership in Congress and suggests political action with humor about mules at the capitol.
The eighth annual State Alliance gathering in Greensboro drew good attendance and harmony. Officers were largely reelected, a Constitution amendment approved, and dues restructured with women paying five cents per quarter while men stay at twenty-five cents. State treasury funds cover national dues, salaries trimmed, and a notable rise in membership by about 1,200 year over year. President Mewborne’s address and Worth’s report hailed, as new Alliances formed. A note on English tariff impacts and a tongue in cheek forecast on toadskins prices in Kamchatka closes the item.
A critic describes a scheme where gold moves to the sub-treasury to secure bonds and six months’ interest, then bonds are sold for cash, and greenbacks are used to repeat the cycle. The author claims the nation gains nothing while debt accrues, criticizing London and New York financiers as driving the government. It alleges a thirty year pattern causing widespread hardship even in times of plenty.
The Coming Nation accuses goldbugs of a scheme to profit from duties by selling gold to importers for a million and exchanging for bonds and banknotes, then collecting interest. It cites Drexel Morgan & Co buying Louisville & Southern Railway for a million, as part of a broader claim of manipulation harming widows and orphans.
The educational Alliance campaign against sectionalism damped the bloody shirt rhetoric years ago but plutocracy now pushes renewed hostilities. Northern and Southern papers are blamed for fanning flames with lurid reports, while editors on both sides face calls for harsh responses. The note mentions John E. Ray, once with The Progressive Farmer, now at the Kentucky Institution for Deaf Mutes in Danville, and hopes he finds Kentucky climate preferable to Colorado.
Readers urged to send concise neighborhood bulletins and spicy letters about Alliance activities. Submit in one paragraph, with full name and post office. use one side of paper for longer pieces. Agricultural notes welcomed. avoid nom de plume byline and publish promptly.
A Raleigh resident mocks party conventions noting gas leaks and calling some delegates “champions.” He recalls the State Convention on the 8th and the Congressional on the 15th, claiming many are liars and comparing them to Sinbad Gulliver and Baron Munchausen. The exchange with Hon. Josephus Daniels hints at patronage and pensions.
A Wilmington Messenger column laments the Senate tariff bill, claiming it creates a 68 million surplus, taxes sugar and household necessities, and benefits trusts and Wall Street. It accuses Democrats of surrendering to monopolies, cites prior party statements, and predicts the bill may become law this week amid sharp partisan reproach.
The New York World lists leaves of absence in the past two months. It estimates docked salaries for four months would total under 2,000, yet full returns could save the treasury at least 200,000. July and part of August saw 64 members absent. 52 were away for sickness, a notable level of invalidism.
The World notes many lawmakers dodge duties claiming illness while courting convention duties. It cites Reed of Maine and Cameron of Pennsylvania as potential Republican presidential hopefuls who favor free coinage. The piece argues a long standing party and aging leaders are slow to adapt and warns they are unfit for office beyond filling gaps.
A Populist editor questions the Democrats about endorsing Mr. Cleveland noting their difficulty. The Democratic editor replies with a cautious admission and a quip about Cleveland never writing poetry for the press revealing light exchange on campaign rhetoric and press expectations.
A humorous exchange at St. Peter's begins with a new arrival from North Carolina asking about war progress in the area. The host clarifies he means a conflict between supporters of higher education and its opponents, noting there has been no actual battles or deaths.
In 1893 North Carolina produced gold totaling $55,109.31 and silver $15,386.32, for a combined yield of $70,505.33, down about $10,000 from the prior year. The figures come from the Assayer at the Charlotte Mint, Capt. W. E. Arminurey.
J P Kerr recounts an Asheville Citizen interview with Senator Vance claiming democracy is immortal and condemning bankers and brokers for privilege. The letter, dated July 27 1893 from Gombroom North Carolina, warns of bankers forcing a split from the Democratic Party and predicts a future exodus leaving a brimstone smell and Wall Street influence.
Secretary Carlisle yesterday dealt the blow which puts the free sugar and other small tariff bills to sleep, signaling a setback for free trade measures and the party's legislative momentum. The remark reflects internal tensions as political factions maneuver around tariff policy and parliamentary strategy.
The notice references Alliance activities across states including Virginia, Maryland, and New York. It notes a full delegation from Virginia and upcoming sub-assembly meetings. Alliance Day on August 17 at Clarendon Assembly Grounds featured Mathews and other speakers.
Correspondence from the Progressive era discusses who should oversee federal elections. The author argues the Constitution favors state control via state legislatures, while noting possible Supreme Court intervention. References to Mr. Fowler of Boston and President Cleveland’s tariff reform stance appear within the debate.
Letters from readers across North Carolina praise The Progressive Farmer and urge sustained support. Renewals from Alamance Onslow Bertie Orange Ware Dare Wayne Mecklenburg and others highlight loyalty, corrections offered for payments, and links to reform sentiment echoed by politicians like Judge Hine and T E Watson.
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