Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-12-31

question you can do much toward regulating
the present existing unequal status between
the prices Of farm labor and the price Of
farm products.
The order is now firmly established in the
state. The business Of organizing is nearly
complete, and it remains for you to see that
those iraternal ties which bind us together
remain intact for the benefit Of the members
II is in union that there is strength it is
by concert Of action that the resolution was
adopted which allows fourth degree members
in good standing to receive the fifth and sixth
degrees Of the order, under such rules aud
regulations as hereafter may be decided
upon. The grange closed its session with
perfect harmony and good will prevailing
among its members. We consider Il our
duty TO say that the men and women COM
prising the national grange are earnest work.
crs Tor our cause and are striving to do that
which will ameliorate the condition Of the
hard-working burden-ridden farmers who
compose the backbone of our order.
Topics for Consideration.
Ii is proper that your attention be called
to few subjects which it is your duty to
consider while assembled for the purpose of
legislating for the benefit OF tho order in this
state. We invite your earnest attention TO
the necessity of establishing county oranges,
which, it in active cooperation, are valuable
auxiliaries to the state, and subordinate.
The duty Of county oranges is clearly defined
in the preamble to the constitution, which
says: "They shall have charge Of the edu.
nat;onoI ond hncinaso intaroata oF kho ordar
10 their respective interests and shall encour-
age, strengthen and aid subordinate oranges
represented therein" They are the cou-
Decting link between the state and subordi-
nate the columns which sustain the struc.
ture without which it lacks that symmetry
so necessary to its perfection. Should the
proposed amendments to the constitution be
ratified, it will be in these oranges that the
higher degrees of the order will be conferred.
The subject of transportation is one Of
great Importance to individuals, aud to the
national prosperity. We find no difficulty
in making satisfactory arrangements between
producer and manufacturer, but often-times
the transportation of exchanges has cost more
than their actual value. The producers and
consumers together with the mercantile and
manufacturing interests all feel the injurious
effects Of costly transportation. In q coun-
try like oars, where one portion requires its
breadstuffs from another, and has manufac.
tured goods required by the bread producing
states, how important it is that the means
of exchanging the products of these remote
sections should be conducted with proper
regard for the people whose prosperity de-
ponds largely upon the justice of the service.
The American board of transportation and
commerce hold its third annual convention
at Chicago, commencing Its session to-mor-
row. We have been urgently requested to
send delegates from this grange. We sug-
gest that this grange request the board to
hold its next annual convention later in the
season, so that state oranges may (if they
desire) be represented there. More than
half of the state oranges hold their annual
sessions this week, from which no delegates
can be spared to attend to this important
matter.
Next year will occur the centennial cee-
bration of our existence as nation. Many
members Of the order will desire to visit
Philadelphia during tho summer. The pro.
posed Patrons centennial encampment has
received such aid and encouragement that
the scheme will be probably carried out
The question of insurance has created a
spirit of inquiry among the members of the
order in this state, Insurance is like mer-
chandise. which is bought and sold at price,
reasonable or exorbltant as it bears relation
to its cost. OF late years the insurance
business has come to be characterized by
great extravaganza in its expenses and de-
mands for large profits, and draws from the
community large amount Of money, which
properly belongs to the general capital of
I the community in which insurers reside, and
employs it at place in the we'll being OF
which the persons who pay the premium,
have no immediate interest.
As members Of our organization of farmers
whose chief objects are to foster mutual
understanding aud cooperation, good re-
suits can be accomplished, and by co0pera.
ton great benefits to the order can be
obtained. 1t may be well to call your
attention to some Of the benefits We have
derived from the order; or, in other words
What the Grange has Done.
1t has established agents for the sale Of
products and for the purchase Of goods, SC
that there is but one commission between
producer and consumer. 1t has inaugurated
system OF economy ia all business matters
which is gradually coming on to a cash
basis. 1t has created 4 spirit Of inquiry
among farmers so that they endeavor tC
ascertain the amount Of surplus products
they have to sell and compare them with
the probable demand. Ii has brought farm.
ers nearer to each other. socially and fol
business purposes. II has opened the eyes
of the public to the fact that states through
their Legislatures have the right to regulate
by statute the rates of transportation aud
fares over railroads and canals; that rail.
roads are public highways, whether owed
by the state, by corporations, or by private
individuals. 1t has inaugurated a reform
which will take years to complete, but tbs
revolution has commenced and millions have
been saved to the people. 1t has set tn,
great mass Of agricuturists 10 thinking, aut
in some sections their thoughts have crystal
lied into great and beneficial results. Away
over on the Pacific slope the Patrons hag,
built railroads, chartered ships to take thei
products to foreign ports, established banl
with a capital of five million dollars, will
half that amount paid in, and are now loan
ing money to farmers for two-thirds the pei
cent per aRnqm formerly charged there
they have reduced the price of agriculture
implements over one-half; established fir,
and life insurance companies upon just ap'
mutual principles, and placed themselve
upon firm and independent basis. In tn
great states of the West the order has estab
lished manufactures for agricultural imple
ments, built elevators aud Touring mills
opened communication aud direct trade will
consumers, AMI, to great extent, control
its own product, In the South the planter
have perfected arrangements for direct trad
with manufacturers of New England AM