Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1875-01-28

1t was not probable, says the Ne"
York World, that the example set
and enforced by the organization and
success of the Patrons of Husban-
dry would pass UNDECIDED by those
most closely connected with and IN
terested in the welfare of the work.
ers in other branches of labor, pro-
duetion and skill Mr.. William IL.
Earle, master of the Massachusetts,
State Grange, was the first to practl-
cally attempt q similar organization
for them. At frat the policy was to
make such movements a part Of the
great agricultural organization. The
effort was substantially inaugurated
in September, 1873, but did not real
Iy make definite head way until the
winter following. The chief reasons
for forming separate but friendly
order were TO be found in the essen
tial unity of interest, habits and poll
cy which the Patrons present:
unity which could be by no means
be made as compact and direct
among other producers. These must
be to a large extent consumers for
the Changers. But Mr.. Earle and
his associates argued, in no portion
of society is there as great need of
the economic and social solidarity
which has enabled the farmers to
save 80 much and so largely increase
their own influence as among the
men and women, skilled and unskill-
ed, who work for wages. Their iso-
lation is the profit of the middlemen;
their comparative ignorance is the
great source of wasted power, and
renders them the easy victims of
demagogues among or outside OF
themselves. To this end Mr.. Earle
framed a simple association, which he
aptly termed
s'THE sovEREIGNs OF INDUSTRY"
The subordinate branches were
named "councils," and the grades
are local, state and national. In or
der to keep the control out of the
hands of those who might try to use
such a movement for personal and
political purposes, the National Con-
stitution first proposed embraced a
supreme council, composed in an ex-
elusive fashion, aud having a four
years term. This plan was rejected
at the first meeting OF the National
Council, which was held in Spring
field, Mass, January, 1874, and the
grades remain as indicated Members
of the National Council consist OF
two deputies elected by each State
Council, and of the officers of the
national body. The following are
the present officers:
Presdent-William FL. Earle,
Worcester, Mass.
Secretary B terfeld, Boston,
Mass. P. o. address, Worcester,
Mass
Executive Communicable Il.
Earle, Worcester, Mass. r. T. FL
lott, Chicago, Ill. A. II. Kendall,
Springfield, Mass. ). Geo. r. KeasIey,
Hartford, Conn. Samuel r. Hey
wood, Worcester, Mass.
THE OBJECTS
of the "Sovereigns of Industry" are
tersoly stated 10 brief paragraphs
prefacing their constitution
1t is to improve the material,
social, and intellectual condition OF
those who wark for wages at indus
trial employments:
l. By presenting Gan organized
resistance to the organized encroach
ments of the monopolies and othel
~ hn 1al ~
commercial system"
2. By endeavoring to establish s
better system of economical ex.
changes, and to promote, on q basis
of equity and liberty, mutual fellow
ship and cooperative action among
the producers and consumers Of
wealth throughout the earth"
3. To do this in part, it is propos-
cd to concentrate the trade of the
members through their severai coun-
ellis local, state and national, SO that
they may, as far rs possible, deal
with "frst hands" direct, and d
away with all unnecessary middle
men"
In pursuance of these purposes it
admits all persons above the age OF
16 who are actually engaged in some
wage-receiving occupation. on pay
ment Of fee of 50 for male and OF
81 for femalo workers 1t rigidly
excludes all lawyers, and aims also
to keep out all persons known as
professional politicians, and all such
occupations as may be classified un-
der the term Speculative, rather
than "industriar' and "protective "
No war is made by the "Sovereigns''
on individuals or classes, but it is in
vigorous opposition to what its orig
nstors regard as false system of
exchange and commerce, which
practically benefits the exploiter st
the cost of the producers and tolers.
1t is opposed to strikes and similar
machinery, and has therefore in some
localities been reprobsted by trades
unionlsts, while in others 1t is seen
to have no antagonism thereto, ex.
cept such as may arise from q wiser
mode and policy.
Two purposes have been most ap-
HdIGuI III NIc IuOutOS VI ilS
existence. These are FIRST, to ex-
tend the order; and second, to ex-
pend all the energy, locally, in OBJ
tanning direct, Immediate and per-
sonal economic benefits to the men,
bership, by such lessening of cost in
the purchase of necessities as could
be obtained. No accurate summary
OF THE NUMBERS NOW EMBRACED
has yet been given to the public, but
President Earle and others of the
leading organizers have recently set
the total at $1,000, embraced in
about 600 councils, located in some
twenty-five states. the principal of
which are Massachusetts,, Connecti-
cut. Rhode Island, Pennsylvania,
Illinois, New Hampshire, Maine,