Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1873-06-20
THE FARMERS NEW DEpARTuRE.
The Patrons Defining their Position
what Do the Patronss IEusbandry Pro-
pose to do !?

WHAT DO the Patrons iEusban dry r ro
/ pose TO do
! Following is the opening address at tile or
ganzation and installation of the members
and officers Of Elmira Grange, on the 2sth o.
May, 1873, by Judge i. Hart Hyatt, Master
Of Vacayille Grange:
! We propose to become rcyolutionists Yes.
we propose to try our hand at revolution, nm
til We can overthrow the pervt rtcd, rotten
system by which the ii,sis.sArs5us farm or, the
producer of the very elements of mans ex-
istence and subsistence, has been made to
toll and sweat ond suffer privation, and too
often pennry and ruin. in order that the
bloated monopollist, the grasplng middle
man and the Ri g sharps, who rob the farmer
OF all his profits, may roll in luxury and
wealth, and by which the farmer has been
made TO support the political demagogues.
who ride into place and power on the backs
OF the honest but duped Allers Of the soil,
who are taxed, and taxed, and taxed and
squeezed, and robbed to support these insati-
able monopolists and political bummers, until
1t has come to be a serious question with
many farmers whether they had not better
abandon their farms and their homes to those
who already absorb all the profits ter farms
and labor can produce.
We propose to break up these monopolies,
TO combine our strength into one mighty
power that shall be able to hurl from place
and power all these dishonest harpies who
steal into Office, betray the farmers interests
and make themselves millionaries and loraly
aristocras at the expense of tic honest but
to, contiding faimer.
We propose to demonstrate that although
our order is a secret organization in its nsodas
operandi, in its Internal workings. and has
a secret charm spring that gives yigor and
life and unwanted energy to its magic work
ings-a shield Of mystery that from pruden-
tial yet justiiiable reasons the outside w orld
may not penetrate. and that shall exclude
the triekser and covert enemy from our coun-
cils, while we only maintain the privacy
necessary to the success OF every judicious
enterprise. Yet we do not fear freely, pub
licly and boldly to declare the erds and aims
that we propose to accomplish in the progress
OF our secret mission. They are such as all
good men aud honest patriots and true Chris
tialls and worthy citizens can commend, and
with success. too.
We propose. acting upon the principle that
.eternai vigilance is llle price of lii.esty,'.
and Of su.eeas. =>.eiI, that we will Use that
vigilance to tn. utmost to prevent Involves III
sheep.s cl,tl,ing'a from stealing into o r old
to carry ont their mischeYious. selfish designs;
to see that political deinagogues and corrupt
partisan intrigllers do not fo!st tliemselye
into our order To distract our COUNCILS or to
or ask any man who joins us to lay aside his
honest political principle nor his party OBJ
legations. only when and So tar as these OBJ.
legations are found to clash with his honest
duties as good citizen and a faithful patron.
We propose to consolidate the farmers of
California and our national union into one
united mass, to organize. conciliate and COM
Dne, SO far as possible. every conflicting eIe-
ncnt into one united Whole, so that. like the |
electric current that by touch can send an in-
,tantaneous shock to the remotest bounds OF
.arth and sea, so shall the slightest outrage
II these oppressors upon the weakest men,
Der OF our order of patrons send a thrill |
through our entire lines, interpose protec-
ing shield and call down righteous. .retribu-
ion upon the offending agglessors.
We propose to stand by each other in COM
,atting the railroad monopolies, when they
efuse to listen 10 reason and insist on charg-
ng rates of fare and freight that are ruinous
o the farmer in combating ship monopolies
md grain rings and produces brokers, who
re not satisfied with reasonable commissions
or their services, but who assume to dictate
O farmers what prices they shall sell their
.rain and products at, and dictate what
AMOUNT of freights they shall pay ali d what
they shall submit to.
We propose that, nasmuch as it is the
armer's lands, aud the farmers labor, and
he farmers capital and the farmers pro-
lucts that build up and support these modes
# transportation and these middle men, we
hall have some voice in the haEdling and
disposition of our products, and at least
mall share OF the profits
We propose to have line, of transpo rtation,
nd warehouses, and shipping merchants,
nd storekeepers and machine builders, and
ealers, aud mechanics devoted to our Inter-
sts-those that will be willing and can afford
o do our business at small, fair profits, by
Iaying our trade, as whole, guaranteed to
hem.
We propose to aid aud encourage the build
ng OF narrow gauge rilways wherever piac-
icable and needed, to be owned and manag-
d by or In the interest OF farmers and farm
ng pursuits. as means of cheapening fares
nd frelghts, and getting rid of the extor- !
ions Of the old monopolies.
We propose to see why it is that farmers
hould not be placed on equal footing with
ther industries and other people in obtain
az banking facilities, when they find it nec- !.
ssary to borrow money to aid in their farm
ng operations: to see why it is that the far
ler must pay from one and half to two
nd half per cent. rer month interest, when
he speeulator, the grain ring sharks. can
ct money at the same places at one bali the
ates, with which to s.cornern the farmer and |,
OBJ him Of his just dues.
We propose to make acombined, energetic
fort or series of efforts to lessen tho amount
f taxation III our State and nstioD, under
rhicll the farming interest is now groaning
nh stru0rfino a. 1or existence If ii 4 sirniff-