The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-01-30
TIE SITE GR.g.vGE.
The following are Che resolutions adopted by
the State Grange at its recent session at hala-

heSolced, that the extention OF patents py
Congress is wrong in principle, and against the
best interests OF the people.
The following ia the report OF the Committee
on Transportation, which wac adopted
WHEREAS, The farmers have suffered more
by railway exactions than all other classes COM
bned; and
WHEREAS. we have in reality TO foot all the
charges for transportation, for the merchant
and all Others engaged in traffic have charged
the freight in their commission; and
WAEnEAs, The railway corporations have out
grown legislatures or defy them, and have
made the chosen representatives OF the people
matter of barter and sale; and
WHEREAS We hold that the right OF eminent
domain rests with the people, to be expressed
by them through their representatives that
railway companies are amenaDle to the law
under the same rules which govern plank and
gravel road companies, and that legislatures
must prescribe the manner OF taking the rght
of way and the manner OF collecting tolls as
identical in all respects. On the latter roads
the freight il moved by individuals, and on the
former the railway companies furnish the mo-
tive power; and we hold that we have the same
RICH I to fix the toll OF either as we have to Tx
the toll the miller takes from our grain for re-
ducing it to flour; and, in case there was no
precedent. the higher law-that sense OF right
that rests in every bosom-would forbid the
impoverishment of one class to enrich another.
Ia the construction Of the law by the railways
there is no limit to their exactions, but the abil-
ity OF the people to bear them.
WHEREAS, AS a case OF wrong we would cite
section ID O. an act to authorize sale OF The
Central Railway, which distinctly asserts that
''said railway shall transport merchandise ana
property on said railway without showing par
tiaitv or favor and also clause 10, OF section
z. Of act 1876, approved ApIii Is 1911, when
saws that any railway company doing business
within the State shall be required to transport
without unnecessary delay, and IN due order OF
time. without discrimination, except as class
lfcation of freight offered for transportation.
and at uniform rates per mile. which is violated
every day, and virtually forbids us, as farmers,
from shipping our own produce, and hands us
over. b ound band and foot, to the tender mer-
cies of tie middle men; therefore, DE 1t
Resolyed. That we assert the autho nty, and
that it is the duty OF the Legislature and State
officers to investigate this matter OF the VIOLA
tion of the law by the various railway compa-
mas doing business In the state, and to prompt
| " enforce the laws enacted for the protection
Of the rights of the people, and in case where
the present laws may be found deficient 10
nromptlv remedy the defects by new enact
ments.
Q. That no legislative judicial or State ofhcer
should be allowed to accept free passes from
railways. and all offers OF any special privileges
nv railway companies to any such officers
should be looked upon and treated as a corrupt
attempt at bribery
2. That we are IN favor OF our representa-
tives and Senators in Congress using all lawful
efforts to secure the Improvement OF tue ST.
| Clair River and all other national thorough
fares.
4. That while we deprecate any and all at-
| tempts to cripple or destroy the railway inter-
ests, we would remind them that our interests
are identical, cur prosperity is theirs, ana we
Implore them not to kill the goose that lays the
Golden egg bv taxing US at exorbltant rates to
enable them TO compete with other great trunk
lines leading from the West to the East.
The following preamble and resolutions we're
also adopted
WHEREAS. The experiences OF society mas
long since proved that all great enterprises II
the various departments OF business, growing
hNGf YarO
NOTED and more fully developed by the ascot
ated effort of those interested in the same
calling; and
WHEREAS, such association of effort has been
brought to the aid Of every important branch
of business in our country except agriculture
therefore, be 1t
Resolced, That we as farmers of Michigan
regard the organization OF the Order OF Patrons
of Husbandry as a movement Of vast impor
lance, not only to the interests OF the great
producing class OF our country, but also III its
ultimate and highest object designed anc
calculated to bless society at large.
2. That we understand the objects OF this
organization to be- first the bringing together
in friendly and intelligent association that large
class of society, the farmers, who have in all
the past lived comparatively isolated, bringing
with them their wives, their sons, anc
their daughters, thereby promoting the socia
culture with all its beneficial results second
TO encourage the intellectual Improvement Of
those connected with the equalization, not only
by the discussion Of the numerous questions
purely agricultural, the proper understanding
Of which umderlies our greatest success IN the
tilling Of The soil, reading Of our agricultural
librares and journals, thereby becoming bette
farmers. become more intelligent, but as'
that we may oe more thoroughly acquainted
with the great and important duties devolvint
upon US and growing out Of the relations w
sustain to society, and also with what are on
rights and responsibilities as sovereign citize nj
Of free government third, the advancement
Of our primary interests by first buying NOR
directly from the manufacturer and selling 4
the consumer, thus avoiding as far as practica
bic the payment OF large ami unnecessar.
commissions and by encouraging the estab
hshment, as Far as possible, Of all the various
branches Of manufactures in our midst, thus
bringing market for our surplus products t,
our own doors.
8. That the discussion Of questions belong
ing to the general interests of farmers and FIN