The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-01-20
The State Grange.

The State Grange of South Carolina
met in Columbia on the 9Th December,
and adjourned on the evening of the
10th. Three days of deliberation, with
morning, afternoon and night session
each day, gave ample opportunity for the
escapement of pent up gas, but not much
time for reflection upon questions per-
tanning to the "good Of the Order"
The assembly was not so large as'here-
tofore, but still large enough to transact
with dispatch all the business presented
for its consideration. 1t was quite no.
ticeable that the eastern half of the State
was scarcely represented at all, only two
or three Masters being present from the
entire Pee Dee country. This is not as
it should be. The Grange is an organi-
zation of great power throughout the
land, and its every purpose is well adap--
| ted to the resuscitation OF South Oaro-
lima. But if those who are the chosen
leaders allow themselves either from
lethargy, lukewarmness or other minor
reasons, to become delinquent in duty,
the masses who compose the rank and
file will soon become demoralized, and
render the entire organization imcompe-
tent to effect its original purpose.
The western half of the State from
Beaufort to Pickens was well and ably
represented. And it was quite apparent
that those Masters who were the most
energetic, presented the best record on
the Secretary's book, where alone could
be told the exact status of the Oranges
represented. .r'.!.r.:' -i'r, 80, ~.
The subject of finance was, of course,
a question of importance, and received,
perhaps, more than its due share of con-
sideration. Its final disposition, how
ever, could not fail to- have satisfied the
demands of the most rigid economist on
the floor. Retrenchment has been car
ried so far that development is likely to
become paralyzed: The Grange in South
Carolina has not drawn within its folds
one-fourth the men and women who
should Constituent working material,
and until it shall have absorbed all that
rightfully belongs to il, great efforts
should have been made 10 continue the
emrloyment of. active and trustworthy
organizers. A different policy was adop-
ted, however, and much work has conse-
quently been left to be done by those
who, from patriotism or fraternal kind
ness will labor for the Order during the
next twelve months. -. .. .....:-
The Master may, at his own option or
by invitation, visit Oranges and have his
travelling expenses paid, but will receive
no per diem. .s.r. :.
The Executive Committee may and
will meet doubtless, as often as the needs
of the Order demand, but will receive no
pay beyond actual travelling expenses.
The Lecturer may take the field, but
entirely at his own expenses. .o,. ....
The Treasurer has had his salary con.
siderably curtailed, and the Secretary,
with d small increase of salary, is required
to perform the duties heretofore imposed
upon the agent of the Central Bureau.
This latter Office is discharged, and the
Bureau no longer continued. The Grange
in South Carolina has no business agency
but the Secretary.
The expenses of the order during 1876,
cannot 60 beyond the necessary printing,
postage, and stationery, the dues to the
National Grange, and the salaries of the
Secretary and Treasurer. There is cer-
tainly no surplus sail in the rigging of
the old ship this year. If she does not
plough the waters of prejudice, and ride
the storm of adversely successfully, the
crew must shoulder the responsibility, for
the man at the helm can only steer her
as she is rugged. If every Master will
but do his duty, our haven vii, be easily
reached.
Many of the radical changes to our
constitution, which were submitted as
amendments by the National Grange, for
the ratification by the State Grange, did
not receive sanction. If this Order is to
be National every requirement of its CT
ganic law should, as far as practicabls,
conform to this same idea. For each
State to construe for itGelf any funda-
mental principle of the Order; means 10
destroy its uniformity, and unless the
Patrons of Husbandry throughout the
United States are established upon the
basis Of uniformity in their entire organi-
zation, this cooperation amongst farmers
will be failure. The action of the State
Grange of South Carolina is proof that
this body we'll appreciated this fact,
| Pomona Oranges were left in statu quo
by the State Grange, and proportionate
representation was not received with
favor. These are questions well worthy
the consideration of Subordinate Oranges,
and will be brought up before the Stale
Grange at its next annual meeting, which,
! by the way, may not be until the Spring
of flS77, as the time of holding the next
meeting was left to the Judgment Of
| the Executive Committee, and it was
apparent that the Grange, for many rea-
sons, did not find December convenient
month in which to meet The same ob.
iections will hold against January, and
the possibility is that the State Grange
will not have another session until some
time in February, 1877. .. re-.
The question Of life insurance was dis
cussed and reported upon at the recent
session, but no action taken further than
to commend the subject to the Order.
No scheme was adopted, though one was
proposed. There can be no system of CO.
operation accepted by Patrons of Hus-
bandry more compatible with the designs
of the Order, than some equitable plan OF
life insurance. 1t is subject that should
receive the favorable reflection and ap-
| proval of all the Subordinate Oranges.
fessional men, the clergy, railroad
conductors, mechanics, and all classes of
men, save farmers, have co-operated
upon this subject, and great good has re-
suited. Farmers should see. to it, that
they will not be outdone in utilizing such
progressive and practical ideas.
The question of fertilizers was not as
prominent an one as we anticipated it
would be. Efforts were made to have the
State Grange secure che services OF an
agricultural chemist to analyze fertilizers
for the Order, but from the exhausted
state of the treasury only recommendato-
ny steps were taken, Subordinate Oranges
being advised to cooperate with each
other on this subject, and pay for the
work as it was done.