The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-03-01

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SOME UORDS TO THE CHANGERS.
Mr.. Charles Francis Adams, jr., has
delivered the tenth of his series of lee
lures on Railroads, before the Lowell In-
stitute. The topic of this lecture was
the relation of the Grangers to the rail
ways. He treated the Patrons with con-
siderable liberality.
In speaking of the bad management of
the Western roads, he said that when he
Travelled in the West, he was always
''ready to bless the Changers, for all the
civility he met with, he attributed to
their existence, and all the annoyance
he thought could be remedied by a
thorough agitation of reform in railway
travel" He asserted that if he was a
Western man, he 'swould be one of the
most enthusiastic Grangers."
Dir. Adams attributed the bad manage
ment to the fact that the owners of the
roads are Eastern men; and being non-
residents of the West, they left the rum
ming of the roads to agents who have
hesitated at no abuse for the purpose of
making money for themselves and their
employers. He says that roads have
been built that were not needed, lively
competition sprung up between them
and the result was the absorption OF the
weaker lines by the stronger, and the
consequent destruction of all competi-
tion. This produced dissatisfaction, ar
bitrary rates of freight and fare, and
gross abuses in the transaction of bust
ness intrusted to them. Great tavorit-
ism was shown to those who had the
largest amount of business.
Mr.. Adams said that he had no respect
the Changers. In this he betrayed his
lack OF knowledge as to the nature OF
the organization. It. has no system OF
politics. AS an organization it can not
meddle with political questions or party
management. The war on the railroads
was commenced by the Illinois Farmers
Association--a society that has no more
to do with the Patrons of Uusbandry
than the Manufacturers or the Bankers
Associations. No doubt the meeting OF
the Changers affords opportunity for prl.
yate conference and common under
standing among the leading farmers as
to any grievance; but the order has. nc
system OF politics or religion to uphold
Its object is in part preparation ol
the farmers for maintaining their rights
as citizens. This is being effected by ia.
miliarizing themselves with public bust
ness, informing themselves as to theil
civil relations as well as in respect to
their occupation. This is certainly laud
able, and Mr.. Adams could but applaud
the object were he fully imbued with the
suirit of the order. The attention of tn c
order is largely directed to matters ol
political economy, with view to ad-
vantages arising from reduction of the
expense and profits of the transfer OF pro-
ducts from the producer to the consumer,
and thereby securing economy to both.
This study opens up to them knowl.
edge Of the operations of the market and
the influences that affect it, so that they
may be able to dispose of their own pro
ducts to the greatest profit to them.
selves. This is very intricate study
involving the most practical knowledge
and requiring very nice intellectual
discrimination. AS a source of menta
discipline no study could be more eff
cient. Under the Indictment of direc
interest the study is rendered interest
ing.
we must not fail to renew our exhor
tation to the Patrons to keep up and in
crease their interest in the order; ant
to this end to more and more wake UP tt
the necessity of elevating the STANDARD
OF intelligence in their guild. They ar
beginning to perceive that mind is thu
strongest force in human affairs, which
rs they become more complex by the i'm
provements Of civilization, increase the
power of intelligence.
They perceive that the most profitable
investment is in knowledge and menta
discipline. Let, therefore, every Grangt
make provision for the education of al
its members. Let books be gathered in
ample exercises provided, and punctua
attendance upon them be secured by stir
tI5pg up general enthusiasm in behal
Of educational progress. On this rest
all the hopes Of the farmers and the work
ing classes Qeneraily -.te