The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-02-13

Clarke: John R. Num-.
Culpeper: J. ". Barry.
Cumberland D. II. Brown.
Dinwiddie: j. G.. Smith, S. Y. Gillian.
Fluvanna: George M. Petit.
Fairfax: r. r. Farr.
Franklin: W. L. Powell.
Frederick Asa Richards, j. S. Sudden.
Goochland: R. s. Allen.
Greene: George w. Graves.
Greenville: Henry Myrick.
Halifax: A. II. Farmer, ]. W. Craddock,
r. l.. Ragland.
Henrico: George D. Peasants.
Hanover: Edwin Vaughn.
King and Queen W. T. Haynes.
King William: j. c. johnson.
Lee: D. V. Larmer, NJ. N. Lyon.
Loudoun: James NJ. Benton.
Louisa: Henry Chiles, r. w. Wo oliolk.
Lunenburg: r. A. Blackwell.
Madison: b. F. T. Conway.
Mecklenburg: E. 3. Goode, j. I. Alex
ander.
Middlesex j. NJ. Evans and wife.
Montgomery: John G. Griscom.
Norfolk S. B. Carney.
Nottoway: B. +. Epes.
Orange: J. W. Scott.
Pittsylyania: G.. II. Sutherln, j. A.
Slaughter.
Powhatan: Robert Page.
Prince Edward: r. A. Miller, H. Jacob.
Prince George: o. S. Williams.
Roanoke John A. Persinger.
Rockbridge: J. W. Abrahams and wife,
j. q. Paxton.
Russell: w. r. Gilmer.
Surry A. S. Edwards.
Tazewell: Thomas Peery, r. w. Wltten.
Washington: r. S. Lowry, w. b. hel-
ley.
Wythe: George W. Gleaves.
Many other members will come IN on the
trains which arrive before the opening OF
the session to-day. A large number OF
members OF the order who are not delegates
are in attendance as spectators. The num-
ber OF ladies present is larger than at any
previous meeting OF the State Grange, and
the music adds an additional interesting
feature to the occasion.
The Grange took recess until 1880 I. NJ.
Evening Session.
The Grange met ut the hour appointed.
The afternoon trains brought, as was eX-
pected, large accession to the numbers,
and the hall before the hour of meeting pre-
sented lively appearance, members from
different portions Of the State meeting and
exchanging salutations after years sepa-
ration.
The Oyerseer, William McComb, was pre-
sent.
After opening the Grange the Worthy
Master read his annual report.
Worthy Masters Address.
DR.. Blanton in commencing his address
CONGRATULATED the order on the blessings
youchsafcd them by Providence, and cx-
pressed the conviction that "if the pros
perity Of the State is to be restored, and the
perpetuity and purity OF the Government
are to be secured, it must be done-lt can
only be done-by this organization OF the
agricultural class, acting upon the just and
wise principles Of political economy and
the faithful adherence to the doctrine OF
economy. retrenchment, and REFORM as
announced in the declaration OF purposes"
Such, DR.. Blanton said, has been, and it
is to be feared is even now, the manner in
which the great agricultural interest Is
treated and regarded by pseudo-statesmen
and jackanape politicians. BY their COM
binations against the farmer, by their COM
plicity with each other and the paid agents
OF railroad monopolies and other rings Just
as bad, legislation has been so shaped that
heavy, even enormous, taxes are levied upon
the farmers products, in the shape OF
freights and tolls on the one hand, and large
rebates and excessive commissions on the
other hand.
"The very inadequate protection the ag-
ricultural interest once had In the way OF
checks and restraints against unjust dis
ordinations on the part OF railroads and
tobacco boards of trade has been entirely
swept away by the sale, donation, or squan-
dering OF the States interest in the public
improvements Of the State, and the repeal
OF the seth section OF the tobacco inspee-
ton laws; and the farmers and planters are
now at the mercy OF the soulless corpo-
rations known as railroads, and that other
organization, probably just as soulless,
commonly called the tobacco ring"
THE LEGISLATORS RAPED.
It Is perfectly plain, Or. Blanton contend
ed, that certain legislation is required in
order that the agricultural interest may be
developed and protected, the prosperity OF
the State restored, and the interest Of all in
every class and profession subserved.
The time has arrived when the farmers OF
the country can no longer afford to be idle
spectators OF the do-nothing policy Of their
legislators in regard to the development OF
the agricultural interest, or that other and
,oorSe policy OF treating with contempt any
request or demand made by the farming
class.
You are masters Of the situation, did you
but realize the fact and act accordingly.
Politicians may laugh and ieer, and say they
"have heard OF you, but have aot felt you" !"
10 regard to those important measures
affecting the very life and safety of the agg-
ricultural interest. II your power has not
been recognized and felt, it is because you
have not thought proper to enforce that
power.
They forget they are your servants, and
not your masters. They fail to remember
that you, by your votes, sent them to look
after 1oar interest, and not to indulge
in epicurean suppers of /" canyas-back
ducks . and bacchanalian feasts OF 'sspark-
ling champagne" +" furnished by some ring,
combination, or monopoly. Patrons, II
these things be so, and common rumor says
they are SO, you are in very great mea-
sure responsible for them; for in your
hands you hold the corrective, and all you
have to do is to apply it iudiciously, but at
the same time effectually.
We demand OF the Legislature nothing
but right and justice. We seek no favors
we ask for no exclusive privileges as class,
We claim to have intelligence enough te
know what is necessary, in the matter o.