Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-08-19
Letter from Fairfax Co

FAIRFAX G. H., Aug. lS.-A basket pic
mic, under the auspices Of CenIrai Grange, No.
562 Patrons OF Husbandry was held in Mir.
Sagcr's woods, near Fairfax {. H., On Thurs
day. the 18th lust to celebrate the second an
uiversary Of the organization Of the Grange.
The members left Henry Hall in procession,
With Perry's Leesburg band at their head, and
proceeded to the ground. where excellent ac'
commodations for public speaking, and refresh
ment had been provided The absence OF State
Lecturer komer was not felt when The audi
cnce listened to the short but vigorous and cIo-
quent speeches of Mcssrs. t. Il. farr, ID.
Mc. Chichester and G,n. W. Ii. f. LIE
H. Il. Farr, ESQ.,, NJ ster OF the Grangc, first
addressed the meeting aud said The Patrons OF
Husbandry, few years since, were Feeble
stream, but they uow numbered, l,500 900
souls They were working in the cause OF ug
ricu,ure, and for the benefit Of the country.
The farmers had always been hewers Of wood
and drawers of water, aud 10 combining they
onIv obcyed an inevitable law Of mans nature.
la unity was strength, and in strength was
protection. As things we're they had 10 pro,
lection whatever against dealers 10 iertliz RS
and machines. Much that went on liz the cities
was of no use under the sun to the farmer.
The dealer got the profit the farmer Dug t to
have. The Patrons Of Husbandry ught to
make themselves wholesale dealers. They had
nothing against the middleman, but they
thought him Of 90 use, like the fifth wheel to
coach. Money should be the only channel
between the producer and consumer. Some
objected to the secrecty oil the order, but Sc
cr cy might be found in the Bible. Others
obirc: ed TO their having lady members, but
the presence of ladies amOogds them WIS the
best proof Of their resrectabilIty The order
was both social aud business Institution and
their object Was not to iutrInge upon any man :
rights, but only to protect their own.
The meeting thcT adjourned to partake Of
the abundant repast which the ladies' of the
Grange had so kindly provided.
At o clock they reassenbIed, When D Nc.
G. Chichester, esq, Secretary of CeD'ra
Grange and County Superintendent Of Schools,
discoursed on the educational feature OF the
order. Upon the banner Of their Grange was
Inscribed the motto, Educate the Farmer
This should be one great object Of the order,
for the greater portion Of the voters OF the
State were iliteratrs One trouble hitherto
had been that the boys had been educated away
from the farm, aud when they returncd were
ofeu ashamed to work. Let the farmer sup.
port the pubic schools and they could be edu
Gated ut home. They should demand Of the
State that the schools be KEEP; open ten months
Instead of FIVE. But could the State with her
$33, 900 900 of debt afford to d. so? If any
one thought not he would ask hlm did lie drink
whiskey or chew tobacco, or keep dog? Did
such an one know that every year the cost Of
the LIQUOR consumed 10 the State, as beoerage:
was equal to the value of the wheat crop? How
ever, he did not propose to deprive man Of
his Whiskey, but be would show that the 81,
200 900 required to keep the public schools OF
tho State open ten months could be raised by
taxing luxuries rather than land. The method
of taxation was not new; Great Britain had
praciced it for years. The money could be
raised from The four following sources. II was
estimated that 1000 900 gallons OF whskey we're
used 10 Virginia yearly The tax Of 3Ocis per
gallon would yield 100000. There are 100000
dogs 10 til" State il tax IF $ per head. throw.
500 UUO OF the 800, 900 voters, $50 900, at
least, use tobacco, aud $4,000 non voters also.
A tax Of 81 cts per head for the privilege
would yield 100000 A capltatlon TAX d 81
per head on 300 900 voters would yield 5000.
600. We should then have
LIQUOR tax, $ 100000
Dog tax, 100, 600
Tobacco tax, 100000
Voting tax, 600 600
81, 400, 900
Dcducting 5000, 900 for expenses, add We have
tie whole amount needed, and from these
sources alone. Mr.. Chichester also showed
that the amount spent annually n whiskcy,
dogs and tobacco would, 10 four years, more
than liqudate the State debt. besides provld-
iug for interest, expenses of State govern
ment and schools His remarks were received
with marked attention and approval.
Gen. W. H + Lee being called upon to
make some impromptu remarks, WAS reminded
of Mark Twain, who mover made any which he
had mol written out and carried about 10 the
pocket of bis coat tail for years. 10 eloquent
terms he congratulated his audience that scenes
OF war had given place TO those OF peace. lie
regarded the organization as one through
which the farmer could be reached. Its secrecy
he was frank 10 saying was an objection to hlnI,
but those who sat around their council hoard
we'll knew that uothlug took place there which
could not stand the light. None should enter
the orgaoiz ,tion in order to gain political pre-,
ferment. Why should the public object to
farmers organizing? They were the stewards
of maOklnd,
A sudden storm cut short the interesting
speech Of the General and the public took
shelter 10 the Good Tenn pIars' hail and public
school building. In the former, where the
rempiars' organ had been lent Tor the OCCASION,
the time was spent by some 10 sloglop Granger
aud other songs ADD hymns and 10 the latter
others kept themselves cool by tripping on the
light fantastic toe to music of a livelier order.
The attendance was good and all enjoyed
themselves. Much credit is due to the ladies
for the taste displayed in decorating the staod
aud banner, and to the Lsesburg band for the
selections Of music they rendered so we'll dur
ng the day.
The conservative and republican parties will
each hold convention at Fairfax e. H. on
Monday the Dist inst to nominate candidate |
or Congress. The conservatives will also hold
n ass meeting to ratify the Tilden aud Hendricks
nomination. a. ]