The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-05-12
THE REFORM CALL.
A VOICE OF AUTHORITY
THE ORIGIN OF THE CALL.


AN EXPLANATION FROM THE ovERsEER or
THE STATE aRANGE-HE DEPENDS THE
MOVEMENT AND sILENCEs THE PARTIsANs.
To the Editor of the Sentinel:
SIR: Let me correct the false impression
which may arise from the note OF q 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 az
know fully concurred 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 Of the farming and industrial classes.
The dsavowal Of official action in the call by the
agents suggested by Mr.. Gilman. the political
editor Of the Farmer, was agreed TO Dy those
present at the last meeting, myself among them,
because, as / understood 1t. the resolution was
meant simply to imply that officially, the MEM
bers had no authority TO make the call, while,
individually, very nearly all sympathized In
its purposes, and plainly indicated as much
The call, as published, was the result of free dis
cussion for months past among farmers and
others throughout the state. Tue time OF its
promulgation was to certain extent an acci-
dent. We had talked over the matter out of the
council proceedings, ana 1t was thought best by
those who participated, that we should have the
calls printed and sent out to the counties We
had not intended to pu olish them in the press
but as the Sentinel chose to make them matter
OF news for its readers, we, of course had nothing
To say. 1t 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
mart Of those who framed the CALL am panied
that he should give even the shadow OF color
TO the monstrous misrepresentation made by the
Journal, and 1 reluctantly put myself In
print, to clear the record and relieve
the Sentinel from the unjust aspersions
which are being hesped upon 1t for taking
our part In q movement very dear to the hearts
of those who are looking for reform. 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 vii
rally to the call on the 10th. 1 am in receipt o
letters from many sections of the state showing
the interest all take in 1t and the surety tina
that they will uphold the result. Further ALLOW
me to say what is but just and proper that thes'
newspapers and politicians who charge Judg'
Gooding with participation in the call for th'
reform convention on June 10th, wholly misrep
sent the facts. personally know that he haG
no participation in or knowledge of TIT
call for the convention until after /
was made, nor has he committed him
self to its support since. 1 also wish to cor
rect a false report put in circulation by some o
the newspapers. that the charter of Hancocl
Grange has been revoked. There is not the leas
foundation for this statement. do not thinl
that there is a better or more fiourishing Grang
in the state than ours.
Yours truly JAMES CoMsroCk,
OverSeer State Grange.
GREENFIELD, Hancock County, April Hth.