Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1873-05-01
The Patrons of Husband

Otates 10 resist what they CONSIDER
extortion and oppression by the
railroad companies. To the casu
al reader, these hints of some vast
agricultural combination have
been tantalizing and unsatisfac.o.
ry; there appears to have been but
little public preparation in the
usual way of holding mass meet.
ings and passing resolutions, and
yet the manifestations of combined
action and power enough to COM
mand respect, have been sufficient
to attract general newspaper at.
tention. AS spontaneous move
ment, the action of the Western
farmers would be more than mar.
vel, and yet there has not been,
beyond its extent and visible ef.
fects, any avowal Of q wide spread
and concerted organization.
We are in possession Of facts
which will help tc unravel the
mystery and give significance to
the recently published kilograms.
This controversy between the pro-
ducing and transporting interests
has been prompted By a wide
spread aud numerous secret organi-
cation, known as the Patrons of
Husbandry."
The Order was organized, after
much labor and preparation, by a
number of leading Agriculturalists
who met for the purpose in Wash.
Iington, in 1867. Since then, it.
has become one of the most power.
full organizations in the country.
The leading spirit in the establish
ment Of the Order has been a resi-
dent of Minnesota, named 0. II.
Kelley, who was the first Secrota-
ry of the National Grange, the
master being William Saunders, a
gentleman for many years identi.
fed with the Botanical Garden at
Washington. The avowed OBJ
jects of the Order were the general
improvement Of husbandry and
the increase of the general happi.
ness, wealth and prosperity of the
country"
II has succeeded remarkably
well in accomplishing It's aims.
which are, to bring about a sys.
tematic organization of farmers,
and to protect their common inter.
ests. The subordinate bodies are
known as oranges, and the govern
ing bodies are State oranges and
the National grange. The term
grange was adopted in preference
to "lodge, as being moreapplicable
to agricultural pursuits. There
are four degrees for males, and
four corresponding degrees for fe.
males, each with its appropriate
signs, grips and passwords. |
The practical efforts of the Pat.
rons SO far have been directed to-
wards protection against patent
right and agricultural implement
swindlers. A blue book is kept
in each grange, and as soon as any
swindle Is discovered it is recorded,
and a full description of the opera
tor forwarded to all the other
oranges. At last, after six years
of preparation, the Order believes
itself strong enough to cope with
the great railroad corporations, and
a struggle commenced which is
likely 70 have all important bear.
ing upon the conflict between la
Dor and capital. 1t is q strike,
not of the agricultural laborers, as
in England, but of the agricultu'
raj interest, employers and EN-
ployed, against the power which.
by demanding excessive freights,
creates an uni just standard of
prices for breadstuffs, causing the
poor to be taxed more heavily |
for conveying food than the price
for labor, seed, capital and soil
which produce it. AS one of the
instructive lessons of the present
uneasy social condition, the origin,
objects and extent OF the Order of |
Patrons of Husbardry are worthy
of record.