THE ALLIANCE IN TEXAS. 39 



cies, was discussed at length, and its benefits and weak points 

 exposed. A consensus of opinion prevailed that nothing could 

 be done, except through vigorous efforts. In their efforts to per- 

 fect a trade system for their mutual good, through correspond- 

 ence with manufacturers, they were always referred by them to 

 their agents. In their communications to wholesale men, for 

 trade, they were continually referred by them to the retail mer- 

 chant. In the disposition of their cotton, in trying to reach the 

 manufacturer, they were met by the "bulls" and "bears" in 

 the cotton market. Hence the Alliance at this meeting, recom- 

 mended to the County and Sub-Alliances the importance of 

 establishing cotton yards of their own, for the purpose of bulk- 

 ing their cotton and selling, if possible, directly to the factories. 

 This was done to some extent, but was violently opposed by the 

 cotton buyers and speculators. In some towns, it is said that 

 farmers could not purchase land to be used for such purposes, so 

 strong was the prejudice of the merchants against the Alliance. 



The officers elected at this meeting were as follows : J. A. 

 Culwell, President ; J. C. McConnel, Vice-President ; Andy 

 Dunlap, Secretary ; Jacob Brown, Treasurer ; W. R. Lamb, 



Lecturer; Reeves, Assistant Lecturer; J. R. Masters, 



Chaplain ; S. O. Daws, Lecturer-at-Large. 



The next meeting was held at Decatur, Wise County, August 

 4, 1885, President J. A. Culwell presiding. Brother Daws 

 writes : 



" This meeting was a great surprise, even to the members of the order who 

 had been keeping up with its progress. More than six hundred delegates were 

 in attendance, which was the greatest body of true agriculturists that had, up 

 to that time, ever assembled in the State. The same discussions, as in the 

 previous meetings, relative to the cotton market and mercantile trade, were 

 continued, as shown by the following recommendations and resolutions : 



"Resolved, That the Grand State Alliance recommend to the County 

 Alliances that the members of all Sub- Alliances act as a unit in the sale of 

 their produce, and to this end the County Alliance set apart a day or days 

 in which to put their produce on the market for sale. We further recommend 

 that a committee of correspondence be appointed by the County Alliance, 

 who shall, if possible, make arrangements for the combined sale of the 

 produce of members of the Alliance. We further recommend that none but 

 members of the Alliance be allowed in this combination. The secretary of 

 the Grand State Alliance to notify each County Alliance. 



"Adopted. 



