Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-04-10

dress from
Hon. E. p. Cotton,
Master Of the State Grange, in which a re.
port was made Of the proceedings at the re-
cent meeting of the National Grange, and
upon the condition Of the order throughout
the Union. He also made statements in re-
gard to the state agent, which was all listened
10 with interest.
The state agent then gave statement of
his operations to date, aud particularly EN-.
phasized the essential Importance Of keeping
all special prices, especially Of machinery,
&c, STRICTLY PRIVATE Manufacturers aud
dealers will not give their bottom prices un-
less they can feel security that the prices
shall not he made known In reference TO
articles made by known manufacturers, to
disclose prices is sure, in every case, to break
up the contract at once. A member, for in
stance. who gets a mower, a horse rake,
horse power, or sewing machine, through
the grange, must be specially careful not to
allow even the members of his own family
to know the cost. If STRICT SECRECY can
he maintained, much lower prices can be
had, and as this is on articles where the sum
saved on each is comparatively large the i'm
portance Of careful observation Of the
Changers obligation will be manifest to all
And here grangers will see one OF the reasons
why the secret element of their order is one
Of essential Importance. Ii few days the
state agent will begin to issue his circulars
aud priee.lists which will be sent to the
proper officer OF each subordinate grange.
These price.lists must be carefully guarded.
A committee on resolutions vas, on mo-
ton, appointed, and all resolutions offered
were referred 10 that committee The fol-
lowing resolutions were reported and adopt.
ed
RESOLVED. That it is the sentiment Of this
meeting that the declaration of principles as
set forth by the National Grange at its
seventh annual session meets the wants Of
the Patrons so fully that we heartily endorse
the same as our future guide of action.
Resolped, That it is our duty as agri-
culturalists to institute such means as are in
our power for the relief of the agricultural
interests of the state, which are beyond a
doubt at this time in a very languishing con.
dition, and for this purpose it is necessary
that the farmer should be brought as near
the manufacturer on the one hand and the
consumer Of his products on the other as the
nature and current Of the business Of the
country will admit.
Resolved That we as Patrons will endeav.
or to sustain the state agent in his work
and avail ourselves of the benefits to be de.
rived through the agency.
Resolred, That we recommend all Pat.
rons to encourage home business of all kinds
aud to deal with their neighbors. but at the
same time we advise that they buy Whorev
er the article they need can be had the
cheapest for cash, and demand such favoIl
as cash customers are justly entitled to.
Resolved. That subordinate oranges are
requested from time to time to present theil
views on such practical questions as affec
their particular local interests in the differ
ent sections of the state, in order that thu
state grange may have an intelligent under
standing of the wants and wishes Of oul
people.
Master Cotton called the attention Of tn,
oranges to the illegalty of the reduction o
degree fees to any but charter members
The doing of this forfeits the charter of aay
grange in which it is done, it being contrar,
to the constitution of the order
After some brief discussion of minor top
les the meeting adjourned, sine die, at
O'Clock. The attendance was good, but a
there was no half fare it was not so large a
at Montpelier We believe that the effec
of these conventions is excellent IN develop
ing the spirit Of unity, and in stimulating
the officials Of the order to activity in tn
performance Of their functions.