Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1875-01-23
OLYMPIA. SATURDAY MORNING, JAN. %. lS7l.
GAME NOT WORTH THE CANDLE.

deavored to show that the Establishment
of . /" grange organ" to advocate the
special objects sought by the Patrons Of
Husbandry, was premature. and not at
ill warranted by the peculiar exigen-
c;es of the times. We discussed the
subject dispassionately, influenced by
the firmsst convictions of duty alike to
the Patron and citizens whom circum-
stances alone have not made tillers OF
the soil. An issue of the Farmer has
appeared since our article was pub
lished, but it does not contain one word
in reply, nor has there been manifested
any disposition to refute the arguments
advanced to show that this is an mop
perfume time for the Inauguration of an
enterprise which must be, to some de-
gree at least, proscriptive in its nature.
Our Territory is sparsely settled, and
its people are dependent upon each
other to greater extent than in older
communities, where the fields of useful
ness are not circumscribed, the ordinary
means of obtaining a livelihood are
open to all, and the sources of produc-
ton and supply are not restricted to
the narrow bounds incident to our iso-
lated and primitive condition.
The objects of the organization, so
far as tho enterprises undertaken by
the State and National Oranges are
concerned, are subserved by the bare
fact Of tln official relations existing
throughout the jurisdiction, and no
journal published at this point, even
edited with the most commanding abil-
ity, would be likely to direct or con-
troll the policy which would actu-
ate the Patrons in the great work of
refrom. On all other points, there is a
unity of interest which can best be sub
served by strengthening the bond of
friendship between al classes Of our
people. The middleman pays taxes and
helps keep up the local and general
governments and quite often, especially
In new communities, extends the hand
of brotherly aid to the husbandman
when the crops fail, the market is bur-
dened, or mismanagement or misfortune
has involved him in financial embarrass.
ments. Is it right or just that pros
pect Of temporary advantage to result
from connection with the organization,
should induce the Patron to cancel such
obligations, and bestow his patronage
upon another, who may possess infinitely
less of the milk of human kindness
in his nature, but who has succeeded III
obtaining the endorsement OF the
Grange? We have too exalted an opin.
ion of the moral sensibilities Of the av.
erage husbandman to believe that he
would allow any such scheme to dc
such palpable violence to his sense o.
right. It appears to us that compe
tition is the life of trade; that to secure
low prices, it is essential to enlarge the
number Of sources of supply. To take
any other view of the subject is to re-
verso the ordinary laws of trade ani
foster monopoly which may become
grasping in its demands soon % it ha.
been warmed into life and vigor by til,
united support of those who have beer
impelled to swell the aggregate profits
under the delusive idea that they ar.
obtaining their supplies at less tina,
their market value.
The Patrons must remember that tn,
secrecy which surrounds their move
ments is calculated to induce many fair
minded people to misjudge their mo
fves; that to succeed, it is necessary
for them to use more than ordinary cir
cumspection in every movement affect
ing the interests Of others, who arr
debarred from obtaining knowledg,
Of the objects and incentives which ma,
shape any given line of policy. TIL.
effort now being made to establish al
organ, devoted especially to their inter
ests, presupposes the necessity for suct
an auxiliary. If that object is not ap
parent to the most casual observer, it il
presumed to be inimical to the interest.
Of some classes in the community, and
feeling of distrust is at once invoked
which Is easily formed into sentiment
of positive hostility. The utterances
OF some members of the organization
indicates that this view prevails very
generally within the Oranges, and tina
they, regard the enterprise as q measure
of doubtful e1pediency. The patron
age that has been secured for the Far
~ser., sitter very general canvass. ii
very meapre. and presaces A failure