The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1877-12-27
THE STATE GRANGE.
Grand Master SIMS Report.


port of the Grand Master:
Brothers and Sisters:
Pursuant 10 the requirements OF our
constitution, we have again convened
in this, the sixth annual session OF the
Kansas State Grange. We have met
for the purpose of reviewing some OF
the most important events connected
with the organization and history of
this individual grange, and TO note the
progress made in the work of our or
der in this State. We have met to re-
count our successes and failures, and
to consider the causes which have con-
tributed to bring them about, and to
take such action, looking TO the future
advancement of our cause, as the ex-
perience of the past may seem to indi-
cate as necessary and proper.
Since our last annual meeting, album
dant harvests have rewarded the hus-
bandman, the tillers of the soil have
found remunerative employment in the
cultivation and production OF album
dant crops. Doubt and uncertainty
no longer exists. Industry, persever-
ance and economy, under the benign
influence of an all wise Providence,
are fast bringing to the agriculturist
of this section of our country, that
substantial prosperity necessary TO
their permanent advancement, in all
things, which contribute to our tenn
poral peace prosperity and consequent
happiness. Let us therefore be not
unmindful of the debt of gratitude
we owe TO the giver of all good for
the blessings so bountifully bestowed
but let us unite, as true patrons, in re-
turning TO Him who orders all things
well, our heartfelt thanks that we are
again permitted to meet under such
favorable circumstances.
AS the chosen representatives of the
membership composing our organiza-
ton, you, the delegates now here as
sembled, are charged with grave and
important duties; duties more closely
connected with the interest and future
welfare of those directly interested IN
agricultural pursuits than any similar
body heretofore convened in this State
under our organic law, and trust
that, aided by the light of the past,
and guided and directed by wisdom
and that calmness, justice and love,
which should ever characterize a true
patron, your action at tins session
may be such as TO meet the demands
of our organization and merit the COM
mendation of our fraternity.
1t will become..your duty as the leg
islative branch of our State organlZa-
ton, to provide, by appropriate legls-
lation-or at least TO give direction as
to details necessary-to put into prac-
teal and successful operation the
business arm Of our organization, also
to provide for some general systemat-
ic plan OF diflusing among our men,
bership all that kind of information
necessary for the development of the
true principles of our order.
Our subordinate oranges have, as
rule, been very imperfectly organ
lied, and poorly instructed in their
work, laws, usages and purposes OF
our written and un-
written. Our farmers have, been or
ganized. but not fully informed as to
the principles of their organization.
Ours is a work of education, and
successful results can be attained only
through continued and persistent eff
forts, as evinced by the tact that the
progress made in the work of our or
der has been in proportion to our edu-
cation in true grange principles.
1t is not practical for one or two
persons to travel and properly instruct
The subordinate oranges in the State.
The field is too large, and the expenses
necessarily incurred, too great.
would therefore very respectfully rec
ommend to your favorable considera-
tion the expediency of providing at
this session fof the appointment of q
sufficient number of district or coun-
ty lecturers to complete the work oil
instruction necessary to put into
practical and successful operation our
district, county and subordinate
oranges, ON the success of which de-
ponds the perpetuity of our organiza'
lion. would also recommend that
the compensation Of such lecturers be
fixed in amount and provided for.
While am deeply impressed with
the evils resulting in frequent changes
in our organic law, my experience con
yinces me that some further amend
ments are demanded, Permit me,
therefore, TO recommend the follow
ing.
1.-THE amendments recommended, cal
be considered only in connection witt
the constitution, and are therefore lef
out of this copy.l
At the last annual session of THU
body, the master was directed by res
oiution to attend the next meeting o
the executive committee of the Ma
tional grange, for the purpose OF ad
lusting our national grange dues
amounting at that time to about twelve
hundred dollars. Immediately after
the adjournment of said session,
opened correspondence with the chair
man of said committee, and learned
from him that said committee had nc
power TO adjust dues upon the basis
had been directed to insist upon. This
being the case, nothing could be done
until the meeting of the nationa
grange, except as provided for by res
olution of the national grange for thu
adjustment of dues of 1865. This wal
attended 10 by our worthy secretary
by filing amended reports, which CAV,
MS credit sufficient to reduce the clair
the national grange held against us e
S923. rs, and thus matters rested unit
the meeting of the national grange las
month.
Pending our negotiations, however
for the adjustment Of dnes, the A. w
was secured through the proper chan
mel and communicated to the oranges
entitled to receive it.
| attended the meeting of the ma
tional grange last month, and present
ed our claim for adjustment of dues
upon the basis indicated in your reso.
luton of last session, and now have
the pleasure of reporting that oul
claim for S99462, over payment Of duel
for 1884, was allowed, and an ordel
drawn in our favor on the fiscal agen
CIV for the amount. | then paid tht
amount due from us to the nationa
grange, on dues for 1886, and placed
the balance, $65.S4 to our credit for tht
quarter ending September 80, 1877, land
have turned the receipt over to oul
worthy treasurer. This, l trust, will
be accepted as sufficient and satisfac
tory reason fol- my disregard of the
order of this grange passed at its last
session.
BY the adoption of the report OF the
committee on cooperation, at the last
session of this body, the master and
executive committee were directed tC