Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1874-03-27
NUMBER sc.
For the Free Press and Times
The Grange.



The question likely to suggest itself to =
farmer is. will it be hest for me to become a
Granger? To any such it may be remarked
they are already grangers. the word Granye
being the Scotch name for farmer. The
question, however, includes the idea wheth-
er they will be socially. Intellectually and
financially benefited bt cooperating with
others of their calling. Men Of other pro-
iessions find it for their intere-; ID do -,
and why should not the farming communi-
| ty, who, notwithstanding they comprise a
majority uf tho population of State, and
contribute. probably. the largest Of any
class to its wealth, are really used ~ pack
horses for the mure intelligent cla--s,> of
the community. who consider farmers. sss
class. very much their Inferior eau it no,
be shown BY co-operation that our calling
is as noble ssny?
In answer to these inquiries would ray,
there is little risk 20 run 10 joininga grange.
Those who think Of joining grange that
they may find way T. be elected to some
political Office, will find. ,anch To- their
chagrin, no doubt. that they are on b erd
the wrong train; for the grange i - or
gained As 20 prevent rs being used po!iti-
cally. However, for one, an in hopes
that when farmers become fraternally uni
ted. they " i'll do their duty to their country
more intelligentiy, and zee that they are
better represented in the halls of Legi-ia
lures, which, think. would tend 10 purity
the present corrupt political Combinations
There Is much misunderstanding 10 this
State IN relation 10 thls order and Vermont
farmers should investigate the matter
thoroughly, for il will he OF vital interest
10 them in the future. Farmers stould take
hold Of IT themseve, and thus prevent
WIre-pullIng riDg-leaderS. railroad kings |
and those who hope to use the farmers |
votes a stepping stones to political prefer
ment, place and perquisite>, u assume the |
position Of guardians Of the welfare of the |
lmbecile agriculturist.
But We see. also. other interests consider /
cd and represented with an earues,neS-
which deserves credit, and We should follow 4
this example. Our interests are equml,y /
ours, as the railroad interest Is thl. Of the
moneyed corporation. or the iron or coal ur
any other interest for whose favor the rarif |
Is being continually changed. rheir inter-
csts are specially represented Why shvull
not ours?
And whence come the objection, 10 the I
order? In nine cases out of ten II would
probably be found to spring from the fears
OF some railroad Interest that hud- n-ce~>iiS
70 own newspaper 10 manufacture public
opinion, and otherwise serve the interests
of the corporation. Ii will not d1 u list
railroads or railroad property in Vermont
Other States lay taxes On railroad property.
" by not in Vermont? Are the farmers 50
much served by the railroads that they can
afford to have their real and personal p7J-
perty taxed for a. purposes. and exempt !
the property o. ,ailroads, tha,. if they do
not pay diyiderd> to -tock-hDlding towns,
pay many munihcent salaries and Rho
could tell YOU also where dividends are paid
out III the earnings of the rOad2 IL world
not be very difficult il this Connection -
ask many other Il ie~tiuns such paDers would
not Ike to have pJt : bu; it the grange
think OF these ruatter-, and Trey are. ~
th-Y should be. mgd- 4 e sutiect 81 COLL
certed action. :; Il unt difficult 10 see that
many other Interests viii he drawn into the
discussion and ior the fr-i time, perhaps
farmers will learn toe greatness Of their
power. through Corporation. and the great
need Of its u>e
ASIDE, however from these considerations.
there are OtLe-- that ~aoGld induce every
farmer to join Il fer sn opportunity
for social intercourse. :o- TIE exchange Of
IDEAS IN reference tn farming Interests. fir
;ue more really adjusting differences BE-
tween neighbur<, anu cu!Jiysting a ueist-
horiy regard tor each other The ina Ienc,
gong iprtA i-uia taese meetings find their
yalne in the emulation excited. and the
know ledge acc aired and reduced - prac-
tice
In this cOnnecIiur. also. Il may be sad
the sccr6t phase OF the order. by soIne oh-
jected to, l. dopttd 80 secure tie company
of approved indiSid1sis. with " bona We are
willing our wives and dausht shall as>o
ciaie and at the same time furnishes 10
our members. when visiting other portions
of the country, tie pass to other societies
Of she order.
r. /. NsSAsDRz.
Willi~ton. II