Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-12-05

Central vermont council EalfOhs ol
IIusbandry met at the hall of BrOokfeld
Grange Nov. 9th, and was called to order
by its Worthy Master, f. E. Andrews of
Berlin. Overseer, II. d. Abbott, Williams
town; Lecturer, ID. f. Boyden, Mortified;
Steward, c. B. Cummings, East Braintree;
Assistant Steward, Calvin Fullam, Brook
field; Chaplain, Asa Smith; Treasurer,
Joseph Gould, Roxbury Grange; Secreta-
ry pro TEN, Geo. Crane, Brookfeld (E. l..
Smith, Secretary, arriving about noon.)
The Oranges represented reported by
delegates as follows: Brookfeld, West
Berlin, Williamstown, Roxbury, East
Braintree, Berlin Corner and Barre. The
reports included the membership, attend
ance, social, literary and financial work
of each Grange. These reports were very
encouraging. Some Oranges had lost
some members, but they were mostly
those who joined the Order to CRAFTY their
curiosity, or from purely selfish financial
motives, or aspiring politicians who wish
ed to use the Order to favor their own po-
litical views and interests. The drones
have left, and the earnest workers were
earning to read, think and act for them
selves, to discard the credit system and
pay cash for their goods, buying at cash
rates. Each reported that their Grange
had fund, and kept some goods and gro
ceries for sale.
A resolution was introduced to change
the time Of holding the meeting from the
last Tuesday in February, May, August
and November, to the second Wednesday
in March, June, September IN Novom-
Der, and laid over under the rule until the
meeting of the Council.
D, L. Boyden of Mortified was called
for, and talked short time.
The committee reported in favor Of
holding the next meeting at Barre, and
their report was adopted.
After song by the choir, adjourned to
meet at half-plst one o'clock in the after
noon, in open session.
After partaking of an excellent picnic
dinner, the Patrons and II goodly number
of citizens assembled at the appointed
hour, and were called 10 order by +. i.
Andrews, who announced the following
order of exercises: Song by the choir;
Essay, Mrs. Geo. Crane; Select Reading,
Mrs. Terrence Callagan; Poem. Mrs. N.
Wheatly; Song by choir; Essay, Mrs.
Geo. Dewey; Essay. Judge j. r. Cleave-
land; Essay, Mr.. Watson of Williams
town; Song by the choir; Discussion-Do
Farmers Need such an Organization as the
Grange? If so, WhyP Discussed by G..
IL. d. Abbott, Judge j. r. Cleaveland. C.
b. Cummings, D. f. Boyden, L. f, An
drews, Mrs. G. Peck, l.. Blanchard and
Chauncy Carpenter. A. Allis objected to
the secrecy and financial work of the Or
der, and they were warmly defended by
d. f. Boydcn and others. One member
stated that undoubtedly the gentleman's
objections TO the Order arose from the fact
that when the Grange was formed at
Brooklicld he was agent for n plow, and
sold it for twenty one Or twenty-five dol
lies, and in few weeks the Patrons pur-
chased the same plow for fourteen dollars.
All seemed well satisfied that he had sub
stantial reasons for being displeased with
the secrecy and financial work of the Or
der. Every speaker argued warmly in IA
vor of the farmers organization.
After II song, and II vote of thanks to
Brooklield Grange for the kind reception
given the Council, and to the ladies for the
excellent dinner, and the choir for the mu-
sic, the Council adjourned to meet at Bar
re the last Saturday in February, 1878.
The session was well attended and very
interesting, and surprised those who
thought the Oranges Of Vermont were
dead and buried. Much benefit will be
received by the members of the Order
who attend the Council meetings. Those
Oranges in the county which have joined
the Council are generally prosperous, and
those which have neglected to meet with
it are becoming lukcwarm, and the mem.
bers despondent and hopeless concerning
the success of the Order.