Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1876-01-29

upon every Patron the importance OF
obtaining q copy and reading it most
carefully, studying and adopting its val
liable truths.
nS- The following extracts we copy
from an address made by the Master OF
the Maryland State Grange, q short
tine SINCE
Brothers and Sistcrs:-Let US return
thanks to our great Master above, that
We are again permitted to meet togeth-
err, near the close of our second annual
year, for with the end of ths present
month we enter upon the third year of
the existence of the Maryland State
Grange. Truly it is fit time for SOL
emn reflection, and we should carefully
look back over the history of these, to
US eysntful years, noting our shortcom-
ings, as well as the great work we have
accomplished for our calling, not only
TO those within our noble order, but TO
all within the reach of the influence we
strive to exert.
At the organization of our State
Grange, we had faith to believe that
much could be accomplished by co-ore-
ration and united action now by actual
experience, after two years OF fair trial,
we know our faith was well founded
We have certainly caused all kinds OF
business to be conducted on more
economical basis, and consequently we
have cheapened every kind Of goods
bought for cash. We have brought
the producer and consumer much near
or together We have inaugurated
public sentiment in favor of 4 cash sys-
tern; true it will take years to complete,
but the wheels are in motion, and mil
lions have already been saved to our
people. We have elevated farming as
profession, and have drawn the men,
bers of our order nearer to each other,
both socially and for business purposes.
We have sown seed that will ripen into
rich harvest for the farmers and con-
sequently for all other classes.
We have certainly started reforpna-
ton that will not cease Till virtue and
honesty once more bear sway, where
ignorance, dishonesty and corruption
now hold high control. We have
learned by actual experiment our ability
to transact our own business without
the aid or advice of the surplus middle
men. Let us then my brothers and Sis
tiers, treasure up the lessons we have
learned in these two years, both by orr
successes and failures, renew our hopes
for the future, and working hand In
hand, strive TO make our lives as bar
noniously beautiful as are the works of
nature.
There are many other questions of
political economy, over which in time
we will have TO exert our influence, only
one of which l will now call your at
tention to, and that is the very impor-
tant one of taxation. In no instance is
there a more marked or unjust discrimi.
nation against the agriculturist than is
made by both the law-making powers
of our State and Federal Govern ment.
While almost every other pursuit has
been specially protected and assisted by
leglBldtlOu, dSIiCultuiS has wv"
entirely overlooked, except in the i'm
position of taxes, when special pains
have been taken always to put upon her
the greatest burden. For example, the
laws exemptiug National, State aid
county, with bonds and mortgages, and
many other species of property from
taxation, are mere devices by which the
owners of land, houses, stock or other
visible property are made to bear near
" the entire burthen of taxes for the
support of government. This kind of
legislation is directly opposed to public
policy, because it builds up moneyed
aris.ooracy that contributed nothing 10
the support of government at the ex-
psnse Of producing industry, which is
the chief source of all our wealth. Such
legislation would be unjust,if the invest
men,s of the farmers were more produo-
tive than those of the exempt bondhoid-
ers, how, then, is it,, when we know
that the. capital invested in bonds and
other securities exempt from. taxation
is, to say the least, much more remnner-
alive, and therefore, one would think,
better able, to bear the burden OF taxa