The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1874-12-24
PATRONS OF HusBANDaY.


O~-~
bandry met at Mankato on the 10TH,
and was opened with an address by
Grand Master Parsons. He opens with
a review of the progress of the Order
stating that l42 Oranges have been or
ganized in this State during the past
year, and that there are now $4,000
Oranges in the United States and Cam
ada. He gives the objects Of the Or
der as four fold, VIZ:
First and foremost, then, the Grange
is designed as a school for the farmer,
where he can be instructed and educat-
ed in the business or calling which feeds
and clothes the world. The wants OF
the age demand better and more intel
ligent farmers.
The second great object Of our order
is the cultivation of the social graces.
and the promotion Of social enjoyment.
Man is social being, and in social in
tercourse finds the main enjoyment OF
life. From the very nature Of his call.
ing the farmer is in measure isolated
from his fellows, and needs something
more than mere accident, or the calls of
business, to bring him into closer social
connection with them. The Grange IS
admirably adapted to meet and supply
this want.
TO dispense charity is another of the
leading objects of our beloved order
and we should love it, and cherish it,
and defend it, because it provides
plan for the systematic, sure and
speedy relief of those amongst US who:
from any cause, need assistance.
What is called the business arm OF
our order, which at first was placed IN
the background, has been placed IN the
front, and demands our wlsest and most
serious consideration. In all times
past the farmer has not realized salts
factory pecuniary prosperity, and 1t Is
now so, ght through this secret society,
by concert of action and cooperation,
to improve the financial condition Of
our members. The pertinent and
vital questions here present them
selves: How, on the one hand, shall
we procure the best prices for farm pro-
ducel and how, on the other hand,
shalt we procure farm and family sup
plies at the lowest rates The latter
question is rapidly approaching solu-
ton. Within the last twelve months
much has been accomplished through
cooperation in buying, buying with
cash, and as nearly as possible of first
hands, thus creating competition
among sellers, thereby reducing the
cost OF tools and machinery for the
farm, and supplies for the household.
| We are confident that, in this direction,
our efforts will soon result in entire
| success.
The former question, however, seems
net to be so easily answered. Not
withstanding the fact that what the
farmer has to sell are articles of prime
necessity, without which the world
! would s,arve, and the price of which he
OF right ought to have some voice in
establishing, he is still at the mercy Of
a horde of spectators. warehouse men,
and carriers, combined in monopolies
and rings, who fix the price Of his pro-
duce at their pleasure, taking to them
selves the principal profits, and leav-
ing to him but little more than the
bare cost Of production. It seems as
though the remedy for this great evil
1 vas as far off as ever.
RAILROAD LEGISLATION A FAILURE
| Mr.. Parsons thus speaks of the pres
ent railroad law:
The question of transportation o.
farm products to market, Is as lmpor
tant factor in agricultural economy a.
the abundance or scarcity Of the crop
or the volume of the demand FOR tbs
farmers produce. Our efforts have
accordingly been directed heretofor,
principally to the restraint, by law, o
the transportation companies IN oul
midst. aud within our reach. to reason
able rates for carrying our persons oil
our produce. In our own State law
has been enacted, and is now in force
intended as remedy for the evil com
planned of. The operation of that law
as now executed. is an actual aggraya
ton of The evil. In many instances tbs
rates OF transportation. as fixed by th'
, Commissioners, are higher both fer per
son and property. than before It's en-
actment. One end. however, is gained
. We hear now no more of ehtVtsre.
, rights above and beyond the power o
, the Legislature to restrict. For rea
r sons obvious TO the dullest understand
: ing, the corporations affected. with on
accord, make haste to yield ready
obedience to the behests of the Com
, missioners. The fault of this condi
) ton of things is not to be found in tn
1 provisions of the law itself. but in tn
!, execution of those provisions. Tn
measures which we had fondly ha pc,
: would in some degree afford relic
/ from cur burdens. has been turne,
, against US, and made an engine of still
: greater expressions. This seems to me t.
$ be strange and unaccountable oyertur,
{ Of justice When the farmers of Min
: nesota. who. either directly or indirec,
2 ly, make all the freishts upon our rail
roads, are left without representative
of their special interest on the Board c
| Commissioners, under the law enacte,
) at their instance and for their especia
relief. 1t looks either Ike an ignoranc
: ofor wanton disregard of s-the eterns
. fitness Of things" For this unsatisfac
f tory state Of Affairs | know Of no inrns
t diatc remedy, but turn with hon
c to the promise of relief fror
= another quarter. Az the redus
e ton IN the price Of goods and ma
!, chincry has been brought about chief
n by stimulating competition So l be