River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1874-02-17
GRANGE IDEAS.
AddIc ss of Grand Master Adams Before
che National Grange.

National Grange in st. Louis, Grand
Master Adams delivered the following
address:
Brothers and Sisters o. he National Grdnge,
The work of the National Grange for Tho
past year has been almost exclusively one 81
organization. In this direction its success
las been such rs to excite the constant won
der OF even its own members, whie those ont.
side the gates have beheld our growth with
undlsguised amazement. At our last annual
meeting there were represented nine State
Oranges. having under their jurisdiction
about 300 subordinate Oranges, To-day
there are state Oranges in thirty-tWo States
two Territories, and tho Province of Quebec
IN the Dominion Of Canada, all Of which are
to-day present through their chosen repre-
scntaliyes, and claim under their jurisdiction
nearly 2OOO subordinate Oranges in America
The causes which have led to this great %
rising, which have rendered the work Of or
ganizatiOn possible, and even easy, are few
but grave aud mainly Of nature never con.
templated by the originators Of the order. In
ite inception 1t was intended TO be chiefly a
social and educational institution something
after the nature Of a farmers club, only more
comprehensive in It's plan, including both
sexes, and rendered more attractive by
pleasing ritual and the subtle charm OF
secrecy. 1t was intended to bring together at
frequent and stated periods the agricultural
population, to interchange views. discuss az
rlcultural, literary and scientific questions,
and cultivate the social amenities Of civilized
lie. In short II was intended 10 improve the
stan ing OF the tli4ers of the SOIL men,
tally, morally and socially. AS such II has been
aud ls beng most magnificent success.
Though some other features, which have been
! eugtatted on the parent stock at a later date
have occupied more prominent place in the
eye OF the public than this, yet it cannot be
denied that none are OF equal importance to
the permanent welfare of the Order and its
members, for, really, moral wealth, mental
power, and social culture lie at the foundation
OF all real progress. There is danger that, in
graphing with the gigantic questions of the
hour, We may lose sight Of the rock on which
we builded.
When the first subordinate Grange had
been organized, one of the first and most
proper subjects Tor discussion was how to
make two blades Of grass grow where one
grew before. During these discussions the
fact soon became prominent that how to sell
crops was fully as knottY question as how to
grow them. 1t came to the conviction of
members that We received 60 cents for a
bushel OF wheat, while the man who ate il
paid Sl.2O for il. We we've selling corn at 20
cents per bushel, while the consumer was nav
ing 80 cents Tor It. In what we bought there
wac the same discrepancy between first cost
and what we were obliged TO pay. For now
ers, sewlng-machines. plOws, musical instru-
ments, etc. We were paying from 30 to 200
/ per cent above the original cost. We asked
ourselves whether this amazing difference was
necessity, or the result of circumstances
over which we had control. The solution of
this problem soon became leading idea in
the Order. Subordinate Oranges, County Coun-
ellis, and State Oranges have gwen this one
polut more thought and attention than per-
haps any other, and | am happy to know that
auN 10. NraVr
lions of dollars saved TO the members of the
Order,-and still the outlook is, that we are
as vet only on the threshold of this great
work. Almost universally we find manufsc-
tuTers and consumers equally anxious to be
relieved of so much rs is possible Of the loss
IN transit occasloned by surplus of middle.
men. Most OF those manufacturers of small
agricultural implements have been found
ready 10 sell to Changers at wholesale rates.
With the manufacturers of reapeTs and NOV
ers the case has been different, not that thew
we're Wiling to do so from any principle or
prejudice, but no one state was strong enough
10 show them that they could offer a more
certain market for their wares than could be
obtained through their present system of
agencies.
In such cases as these il is the duty Of the
National 90 lend It's aid 10 the State Oranges.
or by itself grapple with the difficulty The
subject Of cooperative stores ia one in which
Z
interest, but the want of definite information
as to the most approved and successful plan
Tor conducting them has prevented their gem
eral establishment. | am of opinion that the
Satlonal orange should propos, q careful and
elaborate plan Tor such stores, using therefor
the abundant materials which he experience
OF the R0chdale and other societies afford.
This would be hailed with delight by thou
sands OF Patrons who are now cropping in the
dark.
Transportation OF farm products to market
is an outgrowth OF and properly part Of the
same question, and part which has laid firm
: hold on the conscience OF our people. In a
Z country Of magnificent distances the trans
pOrtation ut heavy farm products by wagons
to market ~, OF course, out Of the question.
Railroads are q necessity Of the times and
circumstances. Fully recognizing this, the
Government has kindly fostered and literally
r subsidized them. The people have heavily
, taxed themselves to aid IN their construction,
! expecting substantial benefits in return.
While we readily assent 10 the propo.
2 sitlOn that railroads, even as now
= conducted, adj immensely to the develop
, ment of the country aud the convenience OF
, the people still, IA our inmOst soul, We feel
deeply wrungCd at the return made for the
KIND aud liberal spirit We have shown them.
/ Rates OF freight are often cxoIbitanty high
, and frequently changed Often larger bill
! is charged for n short distance than long
! often higher rates are charged one individual
than another, thus discriminating against
, persons When We plant a crop we can ony
guess what u will cost 90 send It 20 market,
tor we are the slaves OF those whom We
have created. What h the remedy Where
hes the diftCultyY For even m our own ranks
, there rs Babel OF opinion. Some advocate
new routes East. subsidized hy Government
either rail or canal others would have new
: roads made 10y private enterprises. and trust
! 90 competition
The first Of these would require many year,
before they can afford The relief which We
want now and, besides, will surely develop
= into other Credit Mobihors The second viii
only add one more link % the chain which
now binds MS hand and foot. / see no solution
fer this question but Tor Congress 20 avail IT,
self OF los constitutional right 90 regulate COM
$ mcrce between the States, and for the state,
! themselves 20 regulate the tariffs within thcii
/, own boundaries. That this right IS vested Ii
: the government Of the states and uatint
] seems wholly clear when a railroad Is 3.
+ ho built the hue " which CROSSES
{ my private property and l do no
wish 10 have this properly mutAtrd.
: frankly so inform the rsiIrOad. Government
> now steps in and very properly SAYS rbii
J. railroad Is for the development NJ the state
Z aud On the grot % that the public good de
n manis its construction, you must eel then
i your right Ut way and We Will allow y0n rea
:. sonalle compensation therefor Now, /
N