State convention—farmers' Clubs. 
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their political ideas and opinions; you know who will the best 
represent your principles and can therefore act intelligently 
in the selection of your delegates or representatives to caucuses, 
conventions and the like. And here is just where we can do the 
most. By attending to the primary caucuses, by getting the right 
men from the start and fully instructing them, we may also expect 
to see good men selected for the higher positions. 
But even with the intelligence, the moral, social and political 
advantages of Farmers’ Clubs, we must not forget the “ Almighty 
Dollar,” the direct pecuniary benefits of such a society. Several 
facts concerning the latter and I am done. 
The Newark Farmers’ Club has, the past year, actually saved 
something over $600 to its members in the purchase of farm 
implements, nursery stock, groceries, clothing, etc. It is true, we 
met with stubborn opposition at first. Some manufacturers of 
monopolistic tendencies refused in to-to to deal with us, believing 
that by the aid of their howling agents and a few one-horse news¬ 
paper concerns, assisted bv second rate bread and butter poli¬ 
ticians, they could easily squelch those “ impudent farmers ” and, 
as Nasby says, reduce them back to their “ normal condition.” 
But despite the jeers and sneers of these “ smart men ” the farmers 
were fast learning the use of a, to them, new but powerful weapon. 
They were learning the powers of combination and unity of action. 
The would be monopolists were left to “kick against the pricks” 
whilst the farmers coolly went about their business, giving their 
whole patronage to the manufacturers who were willing to give 
fair terms, buying where they could buy the cheapest, and always 
dealing on the cash system. 
The result has been even better than at first anticipated. 
Some of those that at first ridiculed our propositions, now court 
favors and are anxious for our patronage, and the farmers have 
learned a lesson which will not soon be forgotten. They have 
tasted the sweets of combination and learned that by concert of 
action only, can they hope to successfully contend against monopo¬ 
lists and their allies. 
In summing up then we have these facts concerning Farmer’s 
Clubs: 
First, increased intelligence. 
