New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-02-06
IN, TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrDUsg.l

IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRiDUfHl
ST.. LOUIS Feb. 5.--The following IL the substance
of Grand Master Adams's address to tho National
Grange delivered yesterday;
At our last annual meeting there wero represented
pine state Granges having under their jurisdiction
about 900 subordinate Oranges To-day there are state
Oranges in 81 States two Territories and the Province
q, oneboc fin the Dominion of Canada, all Of which are
present through their chosen representatives.. and o@
under their jurisdiction early 900 subordinate Oranges
10 America .ne causes which have led 20 this great
uprlsg. which have rendered tho work OF organization
possible and easy few, but grave, aud mainly
OF a nature never contemplated by tho orginators OF
tho Order In its inception It was INTENDED to be chiefly
a social ond educational institution, something after
the nature OF a farmers club. only moro com.
prehensiye 10 its plan. including both sexes,
and rendered more attractive by pleasing ritual and
tho subtle charm OF secrecN II was Intended to bring
together frequent and stated periods the Agricultural
population 10 interchange views discuss agricultural
literary and scientific questions and cultivate the
social amenities OF civilized life In short. It was in
tended to improve the standing Of the ulers Of the SOL
mentally, morally. and socially. As such IL has been
and is being a most magnificent success. Though some
features which have been engrafed on tho parent
stock at later daY have occupied more prominent
place the eye OF the public than tins. yet cannot be
denied that none OF equal Importance to the
permanent welfare OF the Order and its members for
foundation OF all real progress There is danger
that we may lose sight OF the rock which builded
We must keep the subordinate Oranges up to high
standard or efficiency and not be carried away Win tho
charm Of novelty. Cooperation is thing worth your
special attention Most manufacturers OF small agricu
tural Implements have been found ready to sell direct
to Oranges at wholesale rates With the manufacturers
Of reapers aud the has been dferont Not
that they were unwilling do from any principle or
hut no one tai
thom that they could offer more certain market for
thor could be obtained through their present
system Of agencies In such these Is the duty
OF the National Grange TO lend ITS aid to tho State
Oranges or by itself grapple with the difficulty The
subject cooperative is in which subordinate
Oranges have manifested much interest but the want
VI definite information to the most approved and sue
ce5sfu plan OF conducting them has prevented their
general establishment. am OF opinion that the Ma
tona Grange should propose a careful and elaborate
plan for such stores using therefor the abundant mate
rails which the experience Of tho Roohdale aud other
societies affords.
need not here repeat what the discussions OF the
last two years have developed concerning the rascal
itcs Of wacred stock construction companies buying
legislators in State and nation and Credit Mober.
These been exposed till fully understand them
What shall be the remedy Where lies the difficulty
For even ranks there Is battle OF opinion
Some advocate routes East subsidized by Govern
roads made by private enterprise, and trust to compo
tion The first Of these would require many years be-
fore they could afford the relief which want now,
and BESIDES would surely develop into other Credit Mo-
oers The second would only add one more link to the
chain which now binds hand and foot. see solu-
ton OF this question but for Congress TO avail itself OF
its constitutional right to regulate commerce between
the States aud for the States themselves TO regulate the
tariffs within their own boundaries. That this right is
vested in the Government state and nation seems
wholly clear When railroad is be built, the line or
which crosses my private property, do not wish 10
nave this property mutated. l frankly so inform
tho railroad. Government now steps IN end very
pr0pery says: This railroad Is for the Development OF
tho state and Oh the ground that the public good de-
nands construction, you must sell them your right or
way, aud will allow you reasonable compensation
therefor" Now 1t seems clear to me that the same
Government which can take my land for the pubic
good and II price therefor say to this railroad
The public good demands that you carry freghts aud
persons az reasonable rates. which you henceforth must
do and we will decide what those rates shall DO" As
well as any one fully appreciate the difficulties which
lie in the way Of a tariff fixed by law. easily SEQ
where il may sometimes work hardship, and even
actual wrong; but it is amazng-it seems to me pre-
prosterous-that DISTINGUISHED men are not az compe
tent as those interested fix rates which shall DO just
to the railroads aud the people.
To rely on competition for relief will only bring
the rapid Of railroads has only resulted in tho
more gigantic combinations It viii doubtless be diff
cult induce National Legislature and most OF our
State Legislatures to pass any such law which will DO
efficient for there is no money IN It. The propositions
which will be most likely to meet with favor In those
august bodies will be tho building Of railroads or
digging vast canals, which will allow them the oppor-
tunty to spend s5OOOOOOO 900 which We will at
last have the producers privilege OF paying
When such amounts that arc to be e1-
PENDED IL is easy 10 advance class or arguments
which usually carry conviction TO legislators.
Besides those artificial highways, nature has placed
most magnificent river right through the heart Of the
agricultural region OF country reaching from tho
wheat fields Of Minnesota TO the sugar plantations OF
louisiana which, with q small expenditure, can be
made capable OF bearing on its bosom the productions
OF A continent Even q single rapid sand bar,
and most hearess towboat ring are all that seriously
impedes its navigation Matters OF such importance as
these should receive at your hands most patient inyes
CATION and careful consideration.
Our Constitution makes Masters and Past Masters OF
subordinate Oranges and their wives who Matrons
members Of the state Grange. In many OF the states
this already constitutes body too large for any prac-
tical purpose Under this law the State Grange OF
Iowa al ITS annual meeting one year ago. numbered
and had in actual attendance about 1000 members IL
will be apparent to all that such an aSsembage Is very
expensive aud too large for the careful consideration
or rapid tran sactiOn OF business.
Article as now wOrded caused perhaps more trouble
and yexation than any other. refer TO the clause
which reads, Any person interested In agricultural
pursuts" This clause Is capable OF such varied con
struction that much confusion and misunderstanding
have resulted During the infancy OF the Order, when
members we're few strength puny, and our chlef aim
simply social and educational there was no danger 10
constituting this clause literally, ana admitting nearly
sll who would pay the fee aud consent To JOIN such
weak and unpopular institution but now al these cir
cumstances are changed. To be patron OF husbandry
Is no longer OF doubtful prOprety but the proudest IN
tho land knocking AZ doors The order has been
~ fba NJ If la AM M
the gates beseged from ocean TO ocean by hors or
spectators, demagOgues. small politicians grain buy
lnHYlrs wi suddenlN discover