The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1874-03-13
OUR PATRONS OF HUsBANDRY. q,

2&-FE
tional Grange" In which We hud these
sentences: we emphatieally and sin.
cerely assert the oft repeated trutl
taught In our organic law, that the
grange, national, State or subordinate
is not a.poiitical or party organization
"No grange, true to its obligation, car
discuss political or religious questions
nor call political conventions, nor nom
mate candidates, nor even discuss THEN
merits in meeting" at is reserved by
every patron as his right, as q freeman.
to affiliate with any party that will best
carry out his principles "Ours being
peculiarly a farmers'institution, we cam
not admit all to our ranks. Many are
excluded by nature of our own organ
~ization, not because they are profession
al men, or artisans, or labOrers, but be-
cause they have not a sufficiently direct
interest in filling or p~dsturing the SOIL"
1t would appear from this that in Or
der to be eligible to become a granger,
d man must get his living directly from
the soil, by actually tilling it or from
p~asturage. To simply be an owner of
land will not do; the owner may hold it
to sell for speculation. He may hold it
to lease, without having any direct in
terest in the success of the crop. The
owner or lessor here would be- no farmer
or planter, but the lessee would; and
though he did not own the land he cult
waited, he would be eligible as a granger,
because he has q "direct interest.in till
ing the soil"-whereas the owner of the
soil has not. .. ~.
This is the sensible and logical view
of the subject, as set forth in the article
referred to, that only actual practical
tillers of the soil or those pasturing it,
canl egitimately become members of D
grange. If others become members it
cannot be other than bogus, If the reso-
buttons of the National Grange are worth
the paper on which they are printed.
lagrange was organizedhere last week,
and among the list of officers we see the
names of two practicing physicians re-
siding in the town of Opelousas, one
practical printer following his trade, one
tailor doing likewise, one professional
lawyer who is directly interested in prac-
ticing law, and one we do not know how
to class, and last but not least among the
members is the name Of our Parish
Judge, who has no superior as a politi-
clan and electiOneerer in these parts,
and no equals that we know, unless they
be our District Judge and State Senator.
We are informed that a list of some
forty persons was presented to Mr.. Dem
nett while here, and he requested to or
game them into a grange, which he de-
clined to do. The impression was made
that he came here to organize a political
movement under the cover of oranges
in the interest of selected few, in whose
hands the entire eontrolo of the movement
in this parish was placed, and whose
ipse diait is to decide who are /" les enne-
mis- du bien-6tre du pays " Qui "ne peu-
vent pas 6tre admis.n-
One joke connected with the affair is,
that one of our best citizens was invited
to join; but when the time arrived, he
was told that he could not come in. He
was considered an "ennemi or "tergi-
v~ersateur" probably.
All Institutions here seem to run into
politics OF politics into them. Without
this ingredient those who practice hus-
bandry might join them, but there would
be little inducementfor the mere patrons
of husbandry to spend their time in such
organizations.
The trial of the Grant parish prisoners
has been going on for some time in New
Orleans. A communication in the Pic
ayune of the 5th inst, complains that
these prisoners are Witlontthe pecuniary
means to make a good defence, and that
popular contributions in aid of the pris-
onershaye been scanty. If these prison
1ers did what some think was a good and
patriotic deed, it is q burning shame on
the part OF those who think so not to as
sist them. It reminds us of some of the
cheap patriotism SO extensively INDUCED
in during the war.
Al clergymana at Council Bluffs charges
by weight in marrying couples, the rate
being four cents a pound for the groom
and two for the bride.
He should reverse his rate Of charges,
and charge double per pound for the
bride; for the NEST valuable articles are
done up in small packages, 1--WE do not
mean hoops, panniers, and all the other
tOggeFy D and even if the bride should
happen to be the heavier, her quality
makes her more precious, and double
price should be charged.
can't Ine the Grange said an
Oregon farmer. II am sorry was the
reply; five had counted on you." mo,
+ can't jine." said the farmer e because
they've lot the women in, and they'll
work it roHnd SO as to get to vote
directly, and / won't have nuthin' to do
with it. The woman is gettin' above
their privileges, any way. They don't
stay at home enough now, as st. Paul
commanded, aud I tell you | won't have
nuthin' to do with oranges
There is an advertisement in the New
Orleans Republican, thus:
"Wanted-The address of Mr.. or Mrs.
G. r. Smith, lsigned1 8. B. Dray, New
Orleans. In y