The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1873-05-29
GRANGE OR FARMERS CLUB
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In your issue of the 9Th, r. f. Rob
erts, Esq. gives his reasons Why the
Order of Patrons of Husbandry, is not
the best to promote the welfare of the
farmer, and Why the Farmers Club i.
the best organization. AS his objec
tions are the ones presented by al
opposers Of the Order, by examining
as to rsoundness we may find less
to condemn, than the many worried
pocket.frightened ones, who are SC
fearful lest the poor farmer be swim.
died. The objections urgedsagainst
the Grange are responsiveness and Sc,
crecy. First, let us us look at the
draft on the farmers substance made
by "salarieds leeches'' and Q '''tlarge
retinue of officials" OF the Is Off
GERS of a Subordinate or Town Grange
not one receives compensation or sal
ary.M Farmers Clubs cannot excel in
this respect. Where a Farmers. Club
Joins a State and National Organiza-
ton, the expenses of delegates, salary
of State and National Officers, print
ing and stationery, are met by pecial
assessments OF. clubs, or by member
ship fee, as in Kansas and Missouri.
Grange critics who see nothing un-
reasonable in the expense Of these
State & National Associations, should
compare the expense of the two more
closely before executing their anathe-
mas. The State and National ex.
pense, including charter and organi-
zatlon,of a Grange organized with 25
members, is but $1.25 for each mem
Der for the first year after the first
year only 25 cents. All excess of this
amount paid for membership and dues
is held by each Grange subject to their
own action. The $5 day mot their
expenses too,) paid Deputies for or
ganization of Oranges is the only OBJ
jectional feature | find. While it is
small tax on the membership, it
seems large compared with even har-
vest wages, but not when put side by
side with lawyers and doctors tees.
If one of our good neighbors come
along and offers pillow, seeder, mower
or grindstone, having, as we KIN w, a
No / article on which he makes SIS,
$10,$15 or 20 dollars,d we refuse to
buy what we actually need because he
getssome of our money. Shall we then
refuse all the benefits and help of the
Order because of one seeming defect?
Z. F. r. and all like fault-fnders
strongly and emphatically proclaim
something must be done to better the
condition of the farmer-as to the
necessity all agree, and the second
objection, secrecy,is the outgrowth of
necessity. That secrecy ID an essen
tial of success we think our national
history will suficien tly prove. What
of any moment, has affected the well
fare Of our Nation but it was con-
ceived, born, and nurtured in secrecy.
Our George 'Washingtons have all
crossed their Delawares and surprised
our enemies, not with blast of trum-
pet and beat of drum, but in the Sc
crecy of night marches. Had secrecy
nothing to do with our success in our
war for the Union ? Alas how many
loved ones sleep on Southern soil be-
cause our earlier war councils could
not be kept secret. Battles were
planned and armies moved in attempt
ed secrecy, only to meet well planned
ambuscades or deserted camps. From
the time relief failed to reach Sum,
ter because its coming was known,
until the Secret Service bad sifted
out the traitors and made secret
war council possible, we were CON
Istantly suffering defeat. Was the
journey in disguise to his Inaugural
flor, q ro;o+oJo &c o,,,, ,,,or+,,,o1 d.,