Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1873-08-22
Tho Grange.

Husbandry, the organization of tn
first Grange, etc., we condense SOM
facts and fignres:
A Scotch society maintained 70
many years a feeble existence ii
North Carolina. So far as known
its object was to purchase all needed
supplies from first hands at whole
sale rates, and to cultivate intimat,
social relations among its members
In short, it was a secret, co-opera
tive, industrial and social associa
ton, among a set of farmers already
allied in one common cause. 1T
numbers and influence were, how
ever, so meagre that little was known
concerning it beyond its local habi
tation. Even its existence was
scarcely known until the spring Of
1868, when the idea of these Scotch
farmers began to dawn family upon
the people of the west. Mr.. o. II.
Kelly, of Itaska, MINI, and dozen
other leading agriculturists of the
west, happening together in Wash
ington, held frequent consultations
in regard to the farming interests
of the great west, and at this time
and place originated the first farm
ers' movement, suggested by the
hitherto obscure society in North
Carolina, and from which has re.
suited the present widespread agri-
cultural revolution.
The first grange organization in
the United States was formed early
in 1868, at Itisca, Mimi, under the
supervision of Mr.. Kelly. Another
soon followed at Newton, Jasper
county, Iowa. Another at Waukon,
Allamakee county. And so from
the parent stem the branches formed
their way from time to time over
the broad and fertile acres of the
west and southwest, and at the end
of 1871 the grange order had found
its way into Iowa, Minnesota, Wis
consin and Illinois. But it's entire
in the four States did not
at this time exceed probably over
IS, 900 members.
Within the past year its influence
and progress has been wonderful,
having, it is claimed, since the year
1872, increased it's membership in
the four named States from "A, 900
to the formidable number of 45O, 900,
and it continues to increase in cor
responding ratio.
The order has also been intro.
duced into a large portion of the re-
States and some of the ter
ritories, and is rapidly extending,
not only through the north and west,
but to the east and south. Tennes-
see, Alabama, Mississippi, and es-
pecially Georgia, are organizing
oranges with the same rapidity and
zeal as characterizes the movement
in the northwest.
The order is a secret society, in
women as well as men, who
are admitted to all the privileges of
he oranges. There are seven de-
yrees Of membership, the highest
being conferred only on members of
he national senate, which comprises
of the council who have
served one year in that body. The
of this degree are charged
With the secret work of the order,
and constitute a court of impeach-
nent Of all officers of the national
grange. The functions of the coun-
I'll and senate are equivalent to rep
and senators in civil
legislative bodies. The officers of
he oranges are master, overseer,
ecturer, steward, assistant steward,
chaplain, treasurer, secretary and
gate keeper; while the ladies' Offices
come under the poetical names of
Ceres, Pomona and Flora, wherein
heir respective duties are implied.
And all these come under the SUI
preme authority vested in the mas
Ter of the National Grange, who at
present is Dudley w. Adams, of
Iowa. One clause in the
constitution Of this powerful organ
ization, which has received both
commentator and condemnation,
summarily excludes all religious
and political discussion from the
work of the order. AS we have
seen, the political shoals and quick
sands have threatened it by the way.
1t has managed to steer clear of
them thus far, and there is little
danger that it will come out of
waters and strand itself up
on them now.
Grange, the well selected and
stored name. by which the order is
known in its working capacity, has
many shades Of meaning, but all
pertain directly or indirectly to ag-
md although to be a far
mer is not always indicative of the
highest toned aristocracy, to be a
granger leaves nothing to be de-
sired in the way of highfalutan ii
tie. All the grangers are not farm.
ers. There are many members OF
the organization which are not en-
gagged in agricultural pursuit, but
are as anxious for, and interested
in it's success as practical farmers.
Its leading object is to secure cheap
for farm produce, to
regulate railroad tariffs in such a
manner as viii! afford a fair and rea'
sonable outlet for the enormous and
rapidly increasing grain products
of the northwest. Another promi.
nent purpose Of the organization is
to reduce the cost Of manufactured
implements by bringing the manu-
facturer and farmer into direct rela
tions. To this end the oranges ap
point middlemen of their own
through whom an interchange O
produce is effected at minimum
cost. These grange agents will b.
seen on all the leading railway lines
of Iowa, who control the shipping
interests of the whole farming com
munity Of this state, and stipulat'
for the purchase of farm nipple
ments and all other articles Of dali,
consumption.
True Way to Water Trees.