The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1873-07-02
The Pa,ropsofHasbaudry.


derstood and appreciated at the present
day, and the rapid growth Of the society
known as the Patrons OF Husbandry,
only illustrates the want that has been
ielt for protection against the peculiar
species of tyranny which those who
have enrolled themselves together have
suffered.
The leading ideas OF the organization
are based upon self interest, upon the
determination to throw of, not only the
tyranny OF railroad corporations, but to
get rid OF the exactions of middle men,
who row reap the lions share Of the
profits of the former. This is proposed
TO be done by the appointment OF
special agents in the towns, or points OF
shipment, upon whom they concentrate
their whole patronage, and to whom
they en!rust, not only the sales OF their
grain, etc., but also the purchase OF
their supplies OF iron, sugar, salt, e:c
These, so far as can be seen, are the
objects OF the society. Il is not difficult
TO see that these organizations vii! be
capable OF producing great effects in the
future, remembering the quite proiig-
ious proportions which the movement
has already assumed. The order claims
TO be altogether non.po.itical, aud it Ia
admitted that it may be o.! vast benefit
TO the country in carrying ont its pecu-
liar object, and championing the farm
ers, aud with them, society at large,
against the domination OF rings.
At the present day, the tendency OF
business is to concentrate all operations
in the hands OF the few, the consequence
of which is to place everything at the
mercy OF combinations. Prices rise or
fall at the d;ctation OF these parties,
end nothing is assured Of fixed value.
Some become enormously rich, at the
expense OF the many, and cement their
power by the corruption OF government
and government officials. TO combat
these rings, and rescue the government
from corrupt hands is what the Patrons
OF Hu5bandry aim at. Thus the new
organization promises great good to the
country, while the purity OF lis opera
tons is maintained and its originally
chosen objects ere kept in view.
The prodigiously rapid rise OF this
body to the dimensions OF power IN,
the land, is Illustrated by the fact the!
within the past year 377 oranges hsTe
been organized, with an aggregate
membership of 100000, the n'mber
being daily on the increase. The 'oclety
is q secret one, and no one is allowed 10
cross the threshold OF th@e grange
halls but members. Tne,t IS cllnglag
about the institution a god deal OF the
ou!ctncss so much elected ty other
secret societies. Wouen as well as men
are admitted to tbs highest degrees IN
the subordinate oranges, up to the
fourth decree bu. not beyond. Members
admitted 70 tb. first degree are known
respectively .s Laborer aod Maid; in
the second degree as Cultivator and
ShepherGes; in the third degree as
Haryeger and Cleaner, and in the
fourth as Husbandman and Matron.
Higher up we have the Pomona or
Hope Grange, composed ouly OF Mas-
ters and Past Masters Of subordinate
oranges; a superior degree is conferred
only on member Of the council Of the
National grange. This council Is COM
posed OF Masters and Past Masters OF !
the State oranges. The seventh degree |
Is conferred only on members OF the !
Senate. The Supreme Exec. |
ulive authority in the order is lodged |
in the Master Of the National grange. |
The establishment OF this order seems
10 be quite @ prominent and peculiar
feature OF tie times. The particulars
Of It's organization, save that they APP
near 10 sayo. OF the organization OF
other secret societies are vague, beyond |
4 most general idea, gathered perhaps
more from WHAT has accomplished tha |
rom avowed intention, which is stated |
above. II is said that the order exer-
:ises 2 moral supervision Of it's members,
scd provides for the care OF such ss
may be unfortunate. 1t has been well !
remarked that its vast increase in num-
bers, implying a corresponding accepta.
biity, It's general and rapid diffusion
over the country, and It's manifestations
Of power aud purpose, constitute an inS
ieresting sludy for the soCiologist and
publcist. One would like TO have its
objects more clearly defined. We are
told that ALREADY ir many localities the
occupation OF the agents or middle men
who deal in manufactured wares con-
sumed by farmers has become obsolete.
In some places the oranges have pur-
chased or leased grain elevators. In
Iowa they have built an agricultural
implement maruIactory OF extensive |
An eastern paper speaking Of the |
gra7geg says: "01e-third Of all the
elevators and grain warehouses in the !
State are now owned and controlled by |
oranges, and no less than five million
bushels OF grain were shipped to Chica-
20 on grange account prior TO December
Ist. The number OF cattle aud hogs
shipped il the same manner is euor-
NOUS"
In addition TO the before mentioned
features Of this remarkable movement,
ia the one that it has opened among q
class that one would have supposed the
least susceptible to influences Of this
kind. The world will doubtless watch
with interest further manifestations Of
this influence which, whether for It's
own mtmbers or for society at large,
has shown itself capable Of working
startling changes, though probably not
on tie scale OF examples that may be
furnished in the future.
Ux!rED STATES Commissioner Belts,
r ~ VII bna :g.,ri a y-e 80 y 2