The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1875-02-18
THE STATE GRANGE.

The following from the State Journal,
concerning the management of the fnan-
ces of the State Grange will doubtless be
of interest to our readers. 1t may fairly
be said to be important if true. If false
no doubt it will be promptly denied:
But to state matters as they really are
or as the committee patched them up,
and printed them in 76 page phamphlet
for the use of the faithful, 1--WE among
the number) they do not appear in as
good light as the "thousand wire line"
show them. The committee make out
the receipts of the State Grange for the
past year was $19,969.31, and the ex-
penses $24, ,3O2.O5, which would indicate
that the disbursing officers had lived rath-
er beyond their means A member to
keep posted in the doings of this order
must remember" great deal THAT it
would not do to print, in order not to be
surprised at the Treasurer reporting only
$l,893.O1 of the $33, 3,399S2 in the treas
ury.
On page IA of this remarkable little
book from which we hope to quote more
at length, or some future time, appears
the following paragraph:
"But while there is a reputed balance
as stated, we are to bear in mind that ac-
counts to the amount of over ST, 300 are
now due and may be presented at any mo-
ment, that the committee on mileage and
per diem have reported $4,549.3O as due
the members of the State Grange, and
the dues to the National Grange for the
year 1874, and due and unpaid, amount
ing to probably $4,000 more making a
total deficit of about $9,966.19 less the
amount received by the treasurer for dues
since the Sth day of December, 1874"
Over four thousand dollars due the
members and the dues to the National
Grange, amounting to $4,000 unpaid, and
only 81 800 in the treasury to meet the
Indebtedness. No wonder the rank and
file exclaim in wonder, "Where has our
money gomez" and "When is there an
other election?' We venture the asser-
ton that there never was more corrupt
ly managed institution in the State of
Iowa than the State Grange. Never a
larger swindle upon the farmers and a
greater humbug on the people.
They pretend that the State Agent
sells exclusively for cash, and is thereby
enabled to furnish implements at lower
rates Yet on page 25 of this interest
| ing little book they report among their
resources $1,498.0O as the amount due
on harvesters sold and sold to account of
individuals, and personal accounts receiv-
ed from j. d. Whitman, uncollected,
| $263.2O.
Preaching to members of the order to
''pay cash for everything you buy" the
head center sets the example by trusting
out their wares and running into debt it.
self $6,930.04, with nothing but these ac-
counts and 800 in cash to pay their in
debtedness.
The Grange may be good thing for
the farmers, especially those who wish a
place to spend their hard-earned money; ;
but as it is run by the fnanciers of the
State Grange, it is in our opinion poor
thing for poor farmers.
One word in regard to the State Agent s
office: We notice that Agent Whitman
received a salary up to April lst, 1874,
$462.5O, and as contingent expenses (not
perquisites), $664.39.. Agent Day re-
ceived as salary 81 900, and as contingent
expenses 81, ,223, making the amount re-
ceived by the two Agents, $3,349.s9-ex-
penses exceed salary, and still Whitman
lost money