The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1875-11-04

/ organized, l, l5t, or nearly One-haIi, are
In that section. More than two years
ago the World prophesied that the
strength Of the order would eventually
be found IN the cotton States, but the ra-
pidity with which the change has been
brought about was not anticipated
NATIONAL GRANGE REFORM.
Editors N. I. World
Having been one of the pioneer
gFangers, have watched the progress of
the order with intense interest. I was
one of the first patrons in Tennessee, as
well as one of the first general deputies,
having been commissioned By Saunders,
July 9, 1870, aud organized the thirty
fourth grange ever orga nized in the Unit
ed States, viz Pioneer Grange a I, of
Tennessee, over which have the honor
to preside, on the 30th of July, 1870
/ Having tins been connected with the
order from its infancy, we cordially con
cur in the popular idea of reconstructing
the national grange. As at present con
structed, the subordinate and State
oranges are dependent on The national
grange for existence, while a purely rep
resentative system would abolish the
exclusive eligibility of peculiar class of
our membership toofice in the national
grange. g. The agitation of thought is
said to be " the beginning of wisdom"
and if mistakes occurred in founding the
order, and erroneous laws prevail, we
should not fear to speak out in meeting,
and endeavor to profit by the example of
the past till we succeed in perfectlng
one of the best organizations of modern
times
The grange movement was somewhat
anomalous in It's inception - growing
from within out~ards and from above
downwards-the national grange being a
self-coustituted body scarcely compatible
with our ideas of either republican or
democratic institutions. Hence we
would make it a purely repr esentative
body, and limit its revenue to a sum lib
orally sufficient to cover expenses and
no more.
The accumulation of large fund in
th e Golfers of the national grange is of
questionable propriety, and should be
returned pro rata to the sources from
which it was derived, or so expended as
to result in the greatest good to the
greatest number of whose who contrib
uted to it.
There seems to exist a jealousy in the
national grange that to say the least
looks rather suspicious. 1t reminds US
of a jealous king on a lettering throne
who is using every available means to
retain an uncertain grasp of the sceptre
of power. at the last session of the ma
tionaI grange a resolution was offered by
one whose soul has ever been faithful in
the work, and whose heart and works
are ever above reproach, to make all the
old general deputies honorary members
Of that tody, but it was promptly voted
down. Such a scrupulous Jealousy OF
selEconstituted rights indicates fears for
the safety of sandy foundation.
We don't think the score OF general
deputies appointed by Saunders at al
dangerous men.
Such zen as D. D. T. Moore, editor OF
the Rural New Yorker, N j. Coleman,
of the Rural World, George E. Blakelee,
of the Ohio Farmer, and others we could
name, are. certainly not so dangerous as tc
be unworthy of seat in tue legislative
head of the patrons of husbandry.
Furthermore, the higher degrees of
Flora and Demeter seem to be useless
appendages, as they viii forever a sealed
book to all except about three score and
ten who happen to be masters Of State
oranges and their matron wives. This
is prescription and unworthy of the
broad principles Of the organization
Then abolish the higher degrees or in
corporate the best parts of them into
those of laborer, cultivator, harvester
and husbandman
Give US a Legislative head commensu
rate with the noble genius and liberal te
) mates Of the grange, and millions yet un.
born will live to bless the name Of those
I WHO lCuuuSG an oIA6E WAOSO AlVtIS 10
!" In essentials, Unity. in non-essentials
' Liberty in all things, Charity
= Fraternally, W A. SnPsoy,
Gate-keeper Tenn. State Grange.
f London, Tenn, October 81.
: CONSTITUTION.
In accordance with section of artiel,
: l, of tie new constitution of the Dationa
grange all election of officers of 8nbordi
nate oranges must be held " at the regu-
/ lar meeting in December !" otherwise
3 they will be illegal AS many subOrdi
e nate grange constitutions have repaired
elections to be held in October, special
attention is called to the subject, in order
+ that elections may be held uniformly
= throughout December
n Advance sheets Of Poor's Railroad
! Manual furnish some interesting and in