The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-04-21
THE REFORM CALL.
A VOICE OF AUTHORITY
THE ORIGIN OF THE CALL.


AN EXPLANATION FROM THE ovERsEER OF
THE STATE GRANGE-HE DEFENDS THE
MOVEMENT AND sILENCES THE PARIlsANs'
To the Editor Of The Sentinel:
SIR: Let me correct the false impression
which NAV arise from the note of fellow
granger published yesterday. The question ofthe
issuing OF the call was discussed by the members
of the order OF the late meeting, and SO far as
know, fully concurref in. Brother Barnes hav-
ing voluntarily taken copies of the call to his
district for distribution, does himself injustice
in seeming even to oppose the perfectly under
stood wish ofthe farming and Industrial classes.
The disavowal of official action In the cali Dy 'ne
agents suggested by Mr.. Gilman. the political
editor of the Farmer, was agreed to by those
present at the last meeting. myself among them'
because, as 1 understood it, the resolution was
meant simply to imply that officially, the mem
bers had no authority to make the call, whle'
individually, very nearly all sympathlzed IN
its purposes, and plainly indicated as much
The call as published, was the result of free dis
cussion for months past among farmers ana
others throughout the state. The time OF lts
FORMULATION was to certain extent an accl-
dent. We had talked over the matter out OF the
council proceedings, and it was thought best by
those who participated, that we should have the
calls printed and sent out to the counties. We
but as the Sentinel chose to make them matter
of news for it's readers we of course, had nothing
10 say. Ii was perhaps untimely that 1t was
made public without the names of the thou
sands who are ready to sign, but Brother
Barnes knows perfectly well that there
was no purpose to mislead or deceive on the
part of those who framed the CALL am Palned
that he should give even the shadow OF color
to the monstrous Misrepresentation made by the
Journal, and L reluctantly put myself in
print. to clear the record and relieve
the Sentinel from the unjust aspersions
which are being heaped upon it for taking
our part in a movement very dear to the hearts
of those who are looking for reform. 1 am
confident Brother Barnes did not so intend
his letter but as he must have known that such
a movement would take place his note may be
construed as an effort to uphold the foolish
charges of your neighbor in its daily attacks
upon the farmers and their interests. can as
sure you from personal conference that the farm
ers of the state, irrespective of grange ties will
rally 10 the call on the 10th. am In receipt ol
letters from many sections of the state showing
the interest all take in it and the surety that
that they will uphold the result. Further allow
me to say what is but just and proper that these
newspapers and politicians who charge Judge
Gooding with participation in the call for the
reform convention on June 10th, wholly misrep-
sent the facts. personally know that he had
no participation in or knowledge OF the
call for the convention until after IL
was made, nor has he committed him
self to its support since. also wish to cor
rect false report put in circulation by some OF
the newspapers, that the charter of Hancock
Grange has been revoked. There is not the least
foundation for this statement. l do not think
that there is a better or more fiourishing Grange
In the state than ours.
Yours truly JAMES COMSFoCK,
Overseer State Grange.
GREENFIELD, Hancock County, April nth.