Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1874-02-19

WHICH you nencef0rth must no. ana we VIII
decide what those rates shall be-"
AS well as any one / fully appreciate the
difficulties which are in the way of traffic
fixed by law-I can easily see where it may
sometimes work hardship and even actual
wrong. But it is amazing, 1t seems to me pre-
posterous, that disinterested men are not as
competent as those interested to fix rates
which shall be just to the railroads and the
people. To rely on competition for relief will
only bring renewed disappointment. Oul
past history shows that the rapid increase oil
railroads has only resulted in more gigantic
combinations.
1t will doubtless be difficult to induce our
National Legislature and most of our State
Legislatures to pass any such law which Will
be 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 the
building of new railroads, or digging vast
canals, which will allow them the opportunity
to spend $50, 000 900 or 500, 900, 600, which we
will at last have the producers privilege OF
paying. When such amounts as that are to
be expended. it is easy to advance class OF
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 our country, reaching from the
wheat fields of Minnesota to the sugar planta-
tons of Louisiana, which, with small ex-
penditure, can be made capable of bearing on
its bosom the products of a continent. Even
now single rapids, q sand-bar, and a most
heartless towboat ring are all that seriously
impede its navigation.
Matters of such Importance as those should
receive at your hands most patient investiga-
ton and careful consideration.
The clause of Article of our Constitution
which reads, Amy person interested in agri-
cultural pu suits, is capable of such varied
construction that much confusion and misun-
derstanding has resulted. During the infancy
of the order, when members we're few, our
strength puny, and our chief aim simply social
and educational, there was little danger in
constituting this clause literally and admitting
nearly all who would pay the fee and consent
to join such q weak and unpopular institu-
ton. But now all these circumstances are
changed. To be Patron of Husbandry is no
longer of doubtful propriety, but the proud
est in the land are knocking at our doors.
The order has become recognized as one of
the great powers in the land, and the gates
are besieged from ocean to ocean, by hordes of
spectators, demagogues, small politicians,
grain-buyers, cotton-factors, lawyers, who
suddenly discover that they are " interested
in agricultural pursuits" 1t is true that they
are interested in agricultural pursuits, but
only as hawk is interested in the sparrow.
You would do well to give this matter most
careful review, and by law determine the
proper construction of the Constitution, so we
may be able to keep our gates closed against
those whose only interest consists in what
they can make out of us. To have such adj
mitted to our counsels can only result in evil
and SOW seeds of internal strife.
Art. IL also demands most serious consider
alton to definitely decide what Interpretation
shall be put upon the word political. / am
gratified that our members are substantially a
unit in the opinion that the order shC uld not,
in any sense, become a political party. But,
at the same time, there are questions most
fundamentally affecting our material interests,
which can only be reached through legislation.
1t seems imperative that such questions be
discussed in the grange. Shall it be ruled that
such questions are political in the meaning of
the Constitution? The questions of trans
portstion, taxation. finance. corruption in
public places, are such as come home to the
consciences and pockets Of our members, and
they wish to know whether they will be denied
the privilege Of canvassing them on the ground
of politics. This body should clearly set forth
an authoritative Interpretation for the guild
ance of members.
am gratified to be able to cay that gener-
ally have met with the most cordial Coop
Grafton of the officers and members, thus
tightening q work which would have other
wise been herculean. feel it my duty, how
ever, to call your attention to one painful ex-
ception in the case of the Boston Grange. A
grange was organized last summer in the City
Of Boston, Mass, by Deputy Abbott, COM
posed of class commonly known as middle
men, in direct violation of his instructions.
This is class of members never contem-
plated by the constitution. At the request
of numerous members of the National
Grange, and two members of the Execu-
tive Committee, the member, Mr.. Saunders,
hal Qio ha ar of ha Not FRO exa
recalled the dispensation of the Boston
Grange, and directed its return to Deputy
Abbott. They refused to obey this demand,
and have continued as a grange, thus proving
themselves a revolutionary and dangerous
element. The Master of the Massachusetts
State Grange has countenanced and sustained
their conduct, by directing the installation of
their new officers and investing them with the
annual word for 1874. Unless such defiance
of authority is properly rebuked and punished,
your executive officers will be powerless III the
future. and anarchy will reign in the order.
Brothers and sisters, the future progress,
preservation, and usefulness OF our order de-
pend largely upon our action at this session.
Without doubt, this is the most important
meeting of agriculturists ever held in any land.
The responsibility resting upon US is enor-
nous. The whole country, both within and
without the gates, is searchingly watching
our every act-the enemy to find q weak point
to attack; our friends hoping and expecting
much good to result. The agriculturists of
the nation are now on trial. The Order of
Patrons of Husbandry has brought them to-
gether in council. and it remains for our acts
to prove whether we have administrative, exc
cutive and business capacity equal to the
occasion.
With patience in investigation, wisdom in
enactment, firmness in execution, and justice
in all and to all, we may place our order on an
enduring basis and confidently look to the
future in the just expectation of seeing the
agriculturists of the country intelligent, hap
py, prosperous, powerful, drawn together by
q silken band encircliDg the whole land, and
permeatea all through with the kindest senti-
ments of fraternity.
The Secretary's report show that s, 900 sub.
ordinate Oranges had been added during the
year, but the increased membership could
not be exactly told.
The Treasurer reported over $4,000 Oh
hand.
The report Of the Executive Committee
read by Mr.. Saunders, the Chairman, was long
and full of facts and suggestions touching the
welfare of the Order. 1t spoke of the newnesf
of the Order, and the difficulty under which
the Committee labored in collecting and col
lsting such facts as might be used as lessons
or warnings for the future The continuance
of secrecy was strenuously advised. The re.
port rehearsed at full length the system Of
Il. -. 80. -