The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-08-11
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IAnnILIlO UnAIvOIVf
The Origin, Aims, Organization and
-o" TIN DH~
LIZ
n VISIT ~ VIC r'eo0qua' 'e's u
u'o O'oe'.
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CASH TEE TALISMAN OF TIE ORDER
Cooperative Stores and Agricultural
Societies No Remedy for Far
mers' Grievances.
The Success of the Movement
Assured.
An Official Declaration That Politics is the
Handmade Of the Devil.
WASHINGTON, August 0, 1873.

WASHINGTON, August o. 1878.
Can any good come out OF Washington That is
question hard to creditably in the nations
capital. This city has been abused by people with
in and without, until the faint of corruption or bad
morals is supposed to infect every deed and exis-
tence within It's boundary. Old ParsOn BrownlOw
ssed to say that whenever he approached Wash
1ngt0n there came over him strong propensity to
steal something, which was generally accepted as
response magnetic to his ruling passion. These
thoughts were suggested by the rapid strides
which the order Of Patrons OF Husbandry has made
throughout the country within the last seven
months, and which organization has given so much
momentum to the so-caed farmers movement in
the West and Northwest.
In looking over agricultural papers one would
suppose the oranges had come down from another
century instead Of scarcely having been released
from swadding clothes. And it was In this con-
nectOn that it occurred to me that
HISTORY OF THE ORIGIN OF THE ORDER,
az well as its present status, would, perhaps, do
something toward redeeming this city from its
bad reputation, you know; for here the order was
conceived and brought forth until it has become
mighty power, working silently, but effectively, in
every State where 1t has taken root. 1t is called
by some the farmers David, destined to plug the
giant monopolies which have so long hindered
healthy growth of our agricultural resources
1t must be confessed that searching after the
mysteries Of q secret society, with the mercury
amDitiously rising in the nineties, is by no means
nm easy task. had heard that the Office OF the
Secretary Of the National Grange was somewhere
in Georgetown, perhaps under the roof Of an
ancient residence for which this old burg is
famous Search in that direction proved fruitess.
Whora fha hos duua had baan woo IN n
pleasant house. Visions OF harvesters, moving
machines, rakes, ploughs, churns, harness and
other utensils necessary for a farmer vanished,
and was directed to seek for the Office on LOusi-
ana avenue, Washington, just above the Pension
sf1ce, and what was formerly the Seaton
House. plain three story brick dwelling
had recently been reftted from basement to attic
for the accommodation OF the wants of the Ma
tional Grange. The furniture is plain but substan-
tial, while there Is an absence Of everything that
would cause a Scion Single to complain of being
extravagant Here met Mr. o. Il. Kelley, Secre-
tary OF the National Grange, and was invited to in
Bpect the premises.
THE GRANGER's HEADQUARTERS.
His office, on the first ioor adjOins that Of the
lady clerks, three in number, who work regularly
eight hours day for half what the female clerks
in the department receive. There was business
air about the place, yet Of the thousands who daily
pass this unpretending ediice probably but very
few are aware of what is going on within The rooms
In the second story are devoted to the male clerks,
the consulting room OF the Executive Committee
and the packers, employed in filing the orders for
stationery, tracts, pamphlets, manuals, &c. Apart
ments above this floor reserved for future use,
Is 1t Is evident more room will soon be needed.
In the basement, from floor to ceiling, were tin
boxes, used in sending to new oranges copies OF
the constitution and other papers; manuals piled
mp by thousands nnumerable folio tracts on diff
ferent subjects, blank books by the cord, boxes of
envelopes, reminding one Of a wholesale ware
house more than the capacious rooms of an ordi-
nary dwelling. And from what did this origi-
nate, and how has 1T developed so
rapidly without the aid Of the press for
such is the case. One OF the leaders told me it was
astonishing, the order had so few friends when 1t
was first proposed. The editors of agricultural
papers were naturally sought to present the plan
OF the Patrons OF Husbandry, but invariably the
answer was, ut will injure our advertising, and
we cannot AFFORD to do it," About that time the
benevolent order OF the Knights Of Pythias (also
originated in Washington was making great prog
ress, extending its lodges into every city and town
OF Importance from Maine to Texas. II am not
mistaken, the Knights OF Pythas and the Patrons
OF Husbandry are Of about the same age. In fact,
olnOng Jne names originally suggested LOT the
latter were Knights OF Husbandry and Knights Of
the Plow. The press did not appear to aid the
knights more than the patrons and yet the former
was moving on with such rapidity that several
tunes the Master OF the National Grange was on
the point Of seeking advice from the knights and II
possible get the secret of their success But he did
not 90 SO and the order was left to mature in It's
own time. Looking back to
- TIE FIRST YEAR OF IT'S EXISTENCE,
WIEN IKE John Smiths colony, all the members
were 0mceh0ders, and when there were not even
cnougn 10 MI the onices designated In the ritual,
one can scarcely realize that the organization OF
to-aH Win lts 1000 oranges distributed through
OUT tne lanu ana membership OF probably not
less IMAM three hundred thousand persons is
adentca Win tnat which Just six years ago yester.
Gay was snaped Ia room 46 OF the United states
HOTEL on Pennsylvania avenue. propose to give
some account OF It's origin. Mr. o. n Kelley the
present secretary OF the National Grange and MT
William saunders, superintendent of GARDEN and
Grounds at the Department OF Agricultnre Inc 6rst
Master ofthe National Grange and at present oh
man OF the National Executive Committee divide
che honor OF starting the movement. Whether
Mr.. Kelley FIRST suggested the utility of such an
order or Mr.. Saunders first defined 1t is NOT mate
RAJ, Between them It was first agitated. Mr..
Kelley was clerk in the Pest once Depart.
raj Department. They presented their IDEAS
10 Mr.. William NJ. ireland, then as now chief clerk
Df the Finance ONCE, Post once Department; Rev.
John nimble, Jr., Rev. A. b. Grosh and J. r.
thompson. These were gentlemen OF education,
members OF Masonic and other secret orders, and,
with their varied experience and views, were en-
nbled to mould the plan which, with some modn-