The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-01-13

correspondence --sl.9'r a-Fsf &, 80, ,,,s ....
On Thursday night the newly elect.
ed officers of the Mantua Grange, Pat.
rons of Husbandry, were publicly in.
stalled at Citizens Hall, by W. w.
Stevens Esq. of Hiram, who had been
authorized 80 conduct the ceremony.
The hall was we'll filed, and q quiet,
respectful attention was given TO the
details, which If net extremely impes-
ing were decidedly Interesting. We
have heard it said Hantua and Shalers-
vile ssed to take precedence for tho
number 81 handsome ladies to be
found within their limits, but il the
number gathered upon the stage and
scattered through the house may be
considered fair sample, Mantua at
least, has no occasion to relinquisll the
claim, though we can recall several
very pleasing faces from sister towns.
| Vocal and instrumental music enliven-
ed the affair, as the sweet notes of the
| 'Rsaper's Chorus" and other appro.
pirate songs, vibrated the air and
thrilled the listeners. The voices OF
Mrs. p. o. Chaiker and Miss Ella
Kingsley were marvels Of sweetness !;
clear as the morning songs of birds !;
restful as the silyery ripple of the
murmuring brook over its pebbly bed
After the installation, Mr.. A. 8.
Beecher, the new Master, made an ad-
dress of which we give q synopsis.
He spoke first, of the aims Of the or
der, and the claim of agriculture to be
considered q sciences profession.
Considered it the basis upon which
rested ali progress in art, science, lit
erature and manufactures. He depre-
Gated the tendency on tho part of man:
ufacturers to combine in order to fix
the price on their own products, as
well as those of the farmer himself,
The idea entertained by some that the
main object Of the order was to reduce
and control the price of farm labor,
and to do away with all classes follow.
ing mercantile and other pursuits, the
speaker considered erroneous. Its
doctrines inculcated honesty and up
rightness in public and private rela-
tions; its working tended to elevate
the moral sentiment, and enlarge the
mental capacity Of it's members, and it
was hoped they were not without a
good influence az regarded their fol-
low men. The high prices paid for |
labor by iron manufacturers, owners
of'coal and iron mines, and the conse.
quent enhancement of the price of
their products, which the farmer must
stand, was given as one Of the reasons
why the average farmer thinks he can
not afford to pay present prices for
farm labor. OF course laborers natur-
ally seek the channel where the high
est price is paid for their work, and
are not to be blamed for so doing. No
man wants to work IA 10 l6 hours
day, at one dollar or less, when he can
get in other directions 2 SO and 300 for
o: 8 hours toll. That enormous
profits are made by the manufacturer
was shown from the fact that they can
lfford to pay such prices for labor, and
It the same time support theirfamilies
n almost princely magnificeice. and
'pulence. Railway mpanies-the
argest consumers Of iron-care moth.
ng for the price of it, for they can
'asily make the excess from their pat
ons in the way of a few cents per 100
BIS. for transportation of freight. Tho .
traveller or "drummer"
vas mentioned as being the objection
BILE mid dle man" SO often mention
d in connection with the order. !
with her 500 agents at IS ,
er day each, makes an aggregate of ,
25OO added to the cost OF goods which !
he consumer must pay. This for the I,
ales of one day in the district tribu- ::
ary to Cleveland alone! The claim :
lade by business men that this 'sys.
EN- was necessary that they might be
csted with regard to the solvency OF
heir customers, was us&1 10 warn
eople of the inexpediency Of buying
r selling on credit, spending money .
efore it was earned, etc. Commission
lercAants were also mentioned 20 be- {
ig too unreliable, and toe exorbitant
l their charges to be anything but !
to the interests Of famers. \
While not Glow to understand and ap- !,
reciate the advantages of the railway q
stem, he locked with alarm upon =
,eir gigantic corporations, with their :,
,ecial rights and privileges, and spec 4
i legislation, too often, it is feared, ~
rocured with money extorted from h
le hard working farmer! Alss their p
over to combine and control rates a
ven compelling the power which h
'eated them TO pay tribute-and the =.
ndue influence exerted by them in "
not only legislation but !,
nblic sentiment. Z.
In conclusion, the speaker held, that Ez
hen social intercourse was more free d
I'd nnrestrained among farmers aud
eir families, when they became mas
rs of their calling, when all glasses
labor are remunerated upon true :.
isis; when men or companies who :,
10 others of their hard earnings shall ;.
, held guilty ola criminal offence =,
hen transportation is reduced and +,
Iualized; when the giant monopoly Z,
the railway system is reduced to a q
vel with other industries when the I,
ws protect all equally, aud they are n
in accordance with the spirit ;.
their meaning, the Grange will have =,
rformed part of it's mission. The tSy'
dress was well received and at its y
ose the speaker was applauded.
,l,l.o NJ. II n e. =