Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1874-02-20
Grand Mas ter Adams Address


Grand Master Adams Address.
At the recent meeting of the Ma
tional Grange, at St. Louis, Grand
Master ID. w. Adams delivered an
address of much merit, very sensi-
BILE in its suggestions and moderate
in its tone. He began by giving a
statistical review of the progress of
the order during the past year. AT
the last annual meeting there were
represented nine State Oranges,
having under their jurisdiction 1900
subordinate Oranges. Now there
are State Oranges in thirty-two
States, two Territories, and the two
Canadas, all of which had represen.
tatives at St. Louis, and had under
their jurisdiction twelve thousand
subordinate Oranges. The order at
its inception was intended only as
social and educational institution,
rendered more attractive by pleas
ing ritual and the subtle charm Of
secrecy-bringing together the
farming population at intervals to
interchange views on agricultural,
literary and scientific subjects, and
cultivate the social amenities of CIV
ilized life. AS such, the order was
complete success. Other features
have since been engr;.fted which
now occupy a more prominent place
in the public eye; but Gas moral
worth, mental power, and social cul
ture lie at the foundation of real
progress, there is danger that, in
graphing with the gigantic ques-
tons of the hour, we may lose sight
of the rock on which we builded."
He adds:
"When the first subordinate
Oranges had been organized, one OF
the first and most proper subjects
for discussion was, how to make
two blades of grass grow where one
grew before. During these discus
sions the fact soon became promi-
nent that how to sell crops was fully
as knotty question as how to groac
them. We received 60 cents for a
bushel of wheat while the man who
ate.it paid $l.2O for it. We were
selling corn for 20 cents a bushel,
while the consumer was paying 80
cents for it. In what we bought
there was the same discrepancy be-
tween first cost and what we were
obliged to pay. For Mowers, sew
ing machines, plows, musical instru-
ments, ETC., we were paying from 20
to 200 per cent. above the original
cost. We asked ourselves whether
this amazing difference vas neces-
sity, or the result of circumstances
over which we had no control. The
solution of the problem soon became
a leading idea IN the Order. Sub
ordinate Oranges, County Councils,
and State Oranges have given this
point more thought and attention
than perhaps any other; and l am
happy to know that satisfactory pro-
gress has been made,-millions Of
dollars saved to the members of the
order, and still the lookout is, that
we are as yet only on the threshold
of the great work."
Cooperative stores have been es-
tablished in many places; but are
yet but an experiment. Mr.. Adams
is "of the opinion that the National
Grange should propose careful and
elaborate plan tor such stores, using
therefor the abundant materials
which the Rochdale and other soci-
cites afford. This would be hailed
with delight by thousands of Pa
irons who are now cropping in the
dark" The transportation question
next receives Mr.. Adams attention.
Acknowledging that railroads add
immensely to the development Of
the country and the convenience Of
the people; still, in our inmost soul
we feel deeply wronged at the re-
turn made tor the kind and liberal
spirit we have shown them. Rates
of freight are often exorbitantly
high and frequently changed. Often
a larger bill is charged for short
distance than longer one, thus dis.
eliminating against places, and Oft
en- higher rates are charged one in.
dividual than another, thus discrim-
mating against persons. When we
plant a crop we can only guess what
it will cost to send it to market, for
we are the slaves of those whom we
created" The next inquiry is,
"what shall be the remedy?" He
adds, "even in our own ranks there
is babel of opinions New routes
east, by rail or canal, "would re-
quire many years before they can
afford the relief we want nom;. and,
besides, would develop into other
credit mobilers giving opportunities
for $50, OOO,O or 500, 900, 900 swim
dies, for which the producer would
have the privilege Of paying. New
roads built by private enterprises,
in the hope that competition will
lower prices Of transpol tation, will
only add one more link to the chain
that now binds us hand and foot.
see no solution to the question but
for Congress to avail itself of it's
constitutional right to regulate COM
merce between the States, and for
the States themselves to regulate the
tariffs within their own boundaries.
That this right vested in the gov
eminent of the States and nation
seems wholly clear.'' Mr.. A. fol-
lows with arguments similar to
those adduceo in the Congressional
discussion of this question, and with
which our readers are already IA
miliar. Speakin- of the river trans
portation, he says: "Nature has
placed q most magnificent river
through the heart of the agricultural
region Of our country, reaching from