The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-01-10

Mis Personal Appearanee ama Cmmrm,ser-
The slew Growth or the 0rder-Hh Re-
markable Progress In che last Ten Months
--Ce-Operative Purchasing.
Washington Correspondence New York TnbuneJ
have recently enjoyed several pleasant
conversations with WILLIAM SAUNDERS, the
man who dreamed, and thought out, and
inaugnrated, the order of the Patrons Of
Husbandry, commonly referred to as the
Order Of the Grangers. Mr.. SAUNDERS is
genial, transformations, sensible Scotch
man. He is upward of GO years of age, a
man of large frame, something above me-
dium height, with gray hair, beard al
most white and, although his complexion
is rather dark, he has the slightest blue eyes
| ever saw-eyes which would delight the
transcendental Alcott, who believes that
the blue-eyed will inherit the earth. He
has high and somewhat retreating fore
head a nose which evinces strength Of char
acter, and a rather sober expression of
countenance, as of man of thought rath-
er than Of man who is controlled by his
feelings. His bearing is such that he elicits
good will from others those who are as
sociated with him holding him in pro
] found and even tender regard.
Mr. SAUNDERS came to this country in
! 1847. Prior to that time he had been en-
gagged in horticultural and agricultural pur-
suits in and about London, where he also
organized several societies Of persons en-
gagged in occupations similar to his own.
For several years past he has been, as he
is at present, the Superintendent of the
gardens Of the Department Of Agriculture,
and the beauty Of the gardens, consider
ing the brief period they have been in ex-
istence, certainly does credit to his skill
| and taste.
The Order Of the Patrons of Husbandry
was first conceived in his mind some seven
years ago. The grand objects he had in
view were general improvement i'll hus-
bandry, the promotion of the welfare and
hsppines of those engaged in agriculture
and kindred pursuits, and the increase.
consequent upon these, Of the general
wealth and prosperity Of the country. He
had observed that the popular modes Of
creating an interest in husbandry, and Of
securing a diffusion of knowledge with a
view to its application for the increase of
the products of the soil, were imperfect
and wholly inadequate. He saw that, for
the welfare of the great producing masses
of the country, and for efficiency in their
labors, two things were essential educa-
ton, especially instruction in relation to
the best method of production and unity
of action, and these two essentials he kept,
and still keeps, steadily in view.
The first remark he made to me, upon
my referring to the great interest the pub
lie was taking in the Order Of the Gran
gers, was, that there was gross misunder-
standing in the popular mind as to the main
purposes Of the order. He said it was
generally supposed that it was an organi-
zation to fight monopolies and to control
political action, but that, 80 far from this
being the case, 1t was an organization Of the
Patrons of Husbandry for purposes Of
simple education and business, for instruc-
ton in horticulture and agriculture, and
for economy and efficiency in their private
business transactions
| Having settled upon the ends to be ac-
complished, he spent two years-1865 and
1866-in corresponding with the principal
agriculturists of this country and Great
Britain, with the view of interesting them
in his project. Referring to his CORES
pondence then and since, which has been
very extensive, he assured me that in it all
he had never made use of a franked envel-
ope, although the franked envelopes of the
Agricultural Bureau we're always at his dIs-
posal At length, after much labor and
preparation, in December, 1867, the first
grange was organized in this city, consist
ing of agriculturists from various States of
the Union. Soon afterward the Secretary
Of this first grange, while, on visit to his
friends in Minnesota, organized the second
grange, and during the Eve years following
societies we're formed to considerable
number in various States. But the pro-
gress Of the movement was slow, and the
founder met with numerous discourage
ments. Many oranges disbanded, failing
to realize the great advantages that had
been held out to them, and he was obliged
to urge the others, by letter to hold on.
Assuring them that considerable results
could not be counted on until the move
ment had become extensive, but that, they
would, to use his phrase, ''do big bust
ness.
Mr.. SAUNDERS stated that during the siz
years when he was seeking to place before
the farmers of the country his plans fol
their self-improvement and their self
protection, he sought, with little
success, to enlist the press in the service Of
his cause. He said that publishers seldom
cared to hear further of his project after
he had once informed them that one Of hi,
purposes was to get rid of the vast number
of middlemen-agents and retailers-whc
operated between the manufacturers and the
farmer. They promptly assured him thai
these middlemen were the best patrons o.
their advertising columns, and that they
were not disposed to take up an enterpris,
that would initiate against themselves.
Eleven months ago there were but l, lO(
oranges IN the whole country. 1t WAS ther
that the movement took q sudden forward
start, and it has since grown with rapid
ity astounding to MR. SAUNDERS and Il
! everybody else. There are now over 8,
500 oranges in all the States, and they ar,
increasing by the hundreds weekly. Their,
are over ], 800 in Iowa alone. In Pennsyl
vania twenty-eight oranges were formet
not long ago, the result of an agents La
bors there for few weeks. Speaking o
this rapid growth, MIR. SAUNDERS remark
J ed to me that the thing was now beyont
} his control, and that he could do little els
! than sit still and observe its course. Still
he receives large mail daily from all part
of the country, and he has numerous call
from the people interested in the move
ment- The reported membership 10 nearl,
, $4,000.
Mn. SAUNDERs declares that he has m
} fight to make with The railroads nor witt
middlemen. His whole affair IN with tn
} farmers. The moment they begin to &C
together the railroads win become thei