Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-03-26
The Future of the Grange.

a correspondent of 4 Chicago pa
per writing from Charlestown, when
the National Grange was there in
session, gives the following in regard
to the past and the future workings
OF this organizations:
The future of the order it is not
difficult to predict. its secret tea-
lures will be abolished; its cere.
monial features made simpler and
optional; the National Grange will
be wi ped ont and reduced to mere
clerks office; the State Oranges will
conduct most of its business, but the
county Oranges will be the real seat
OF Importance, each representing fiji
teen or twenty co operative and social
clubs.
Ere this Is arrived at, sweeping re-
torms-nay, revolutions-lnust be in
stituted; and, in this sense, the pres
ent meeting of the Grange is OF inn
portance. fhe large amounts Of mo-
ncy passing into the treasury the re-
ceipts last year We're $4,000, and
this year are i'll excess of S200,OO0-
and the power and profit of their po-
sitlon, have impelleI certain members
of the National Grange to coyet its
extended control. At present many
OF its members sit and vote without
representing amy constituency what
ever; and it was attempted, last year,
to perpctuate this packing by making
seven ''Founders' life members, and
creating Il superior privileged class.
The Patrons have everywhere revolt
ed against this, and rejected the
amendments Of an oligarcnIal tenden-
cy. Their introduction, however, has
severely injured the Nnllona! Grange;
and, were the rank and file able to
exert their influence, the present Di-
rectory would he ou>tcd, and the
Constitution popularized summarily.
1t is, however, not expected that the
National Grange Will reform it elf,
and its failure to do SO will precipi-
tate a revolution. Among the points
TO come up here are the follow
ing:
1.-The disposition of the surplus
fund. The Order now has from
$4,000 to 100000 in Governments,
and between $40, 900 and $4,000 in
cash. 1t is desired that this surplus
shall be returned to those who con
tributcd it, and that the dues and
fees shall be SO reduced that, in flu
turc, the accumulation of such fund
will be impossible. This the ''kelly
Ring" will oppose, principally on the
ground that it is desirable to keep
money on hand to relieve Distress
This is a very shallow pretext; for
though the State Oranges have sent
many thousands of dollars to Kansas
and Nebraska, the National Grange
has not contributed Il cent. 1t did !
give $4,000 to the handful of sufferers
in Iowa, but not in cash. The Iowa
branch OF the Ring having run in ar
rears for dues to that extent, the Ma
lional Grange wiped ont the debt,
thus suggesting that what money
Iowa could not raise to pay her debts,
she SHOULD give in charity. The es:
OF any national manutac-
turing enterprise will not be f;,vorably
regarded; neither will the purchase
Of real estate and erection of central
offices. Last year Crop Report
Bureau was created to reduce this
surplus; but it failed most ignomin-
iously.
2.-The removal of headquarters.
These must be taken from Washing
ton, partly to remove the Grange from
political influences, partly because Il
central location is desired. st Louis
is likely to be selected us the perma.
nent headquarters of the Grange,
though Louisville and indianapolis
will also compete for it.
-Thcreduction Of salaries, which
are larger than are warranted by the
work and responsibility, and much
larger than their recipients could
make at any other pursuit.
4.-Thc complete abolition of the
features of the National
The Ring has made Il hand
some profit on song books. seals, re-
gala, &c. and has used the Orders
seal and cash to advance the in.ert SITS
of Eastern houses wherein are inter
estcd certain of its members. This
is absolutely demanded on Ill sides.
5.-The investigation OF the South.
a committee of Patrons will be sent
the Southern States to report I
at once to the agricultural communi-
ty the actual condition of affairs.