The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-11-29
National Grange.

0US BUSINESS-THANKS-STAT LETCURER'S :
REPORT, &C., &c.
The National Grange was called TO order
at 10 O'Clock yesterday, and the usual open
ing and other preliminary exercises were
had.
Mr.. Sims, chairman Of the Finance Com
mittee, reported various accounts which
had been referred to them-al Of which,
were concurred in.
Mr.. Eshbaugh, chairman Of the Commit
tee on Mileage, reported the amounts due
to each member for mileage and the num-
Der Of days consumed by each in making
the round trip. The estimate for the num-
Der Of miles travelled by the member from
Oregon in coming and returning was 1850
miles, with twenty-eigbt days on tine road.
Mr. Aiken, chairman Of the Committee of
Claims and Grievances, made report OF GER
which were the accounts Of the late secre-
tary, which they had adjusted satisfactorily
to Mr.. Kelley. The report was concurred in.
Reports were made on several other cases
which have, some OF them, for number OF
years been before the Grange. They are
now all cleared up, and the committee de-
serve much credit for their labors in adju-
dicating them and getting them into shape
for action by the Grange.
On motion, the hour Of 8 O'Clock during
the evening session was set for the eXem-
plitication ofthe unwritten work Of the order
in the first four degrees.
Speeches were, on motion, limited to five
minutes during the remainder OF this ses-
sion, and the hour for the beginning OF the
morning sessions fixed at O'Clock.
The following resolution was passed:
Resolved. That no per diem will be paid
the members OF the Grange for the time
consumed in the excursion to Norfolk.
The thanks Of the Grange were rendered
the member from Oregon for the valuable
specimens Of the products OF bis State
which he had displayed in the Grange.
In the annual report of the Lecturer, he
makes certain suggestions and criticisms
upon the actions Of members OF subordi-
nate oranges in some localities in accepting
candidacy for partisan political office. This
is strongly condemned by him as tending to
disorganiZc the members and disrupt the
Grange.
This seems to have created some degree
of feeling amongst some OF the members OF
this Grange, and the report has been very
strongly commented on. 1t has been up
more than once and discussed, and was
called up again yesterday morning.
Whenever the report has been assailed,
its author has warmly and strongly defend
ed it. On the subject OF cooperation, the
views and recommendations Of the Lee
turer have also met with opposition and
been productive of much discussion. The
two subjects were again before the Grange
yesterday morning, and after remarks by q
number Of members, and before reaching a
conclusion on either OF them, the Grange
L. ~ oIn Y>Ion 10
report again OH the special order.
The matter was taken up again during the
afternoon session, and the following being
that part OF the report Of the Committee on
the Good OF the Order (Nlr. Moore, Of Mary
land, chairman )-relating 10 the subject was
adopted unanimously. ....
{" Your committee feel constrained to dis
agree with our worthy Lecturer in his
views as regards, members OF our order in
the capacity Of citizens accepting positions
OF honor and trust from political party Or
ganizations. We cannot believe that it has
been productive Of harm either to the Or
der or our country. The order certainly
cannot pretend to deny to its members. the
highest rights OF citizenship, nor does it
deny to any member the right to full dis
clIssion Of any question affecting the body
polite. Your committee are unwilling to
disapprove OF the conduct OF worthy men,
bers Of the order who have accepted these
positions of honor and trust at the bands Of
tue people; but it is 4 duty resting upon us
as citizens and members of this order to
secure, maintain, and uphold good govern
ment in our country"
The term used by the Lecturer in his re-
port was "leading patrons mot "mem'
bers of the order," as we reported on Wed.
nesday.
Afternoon Session.
The presence of Mr.. William Saunders,
OF Washington, the first master OF the Ma
tional Grange, was announced by the pre-.
siding officer. 8lr. Saunders said that he
came here as the bearer OF 4 communication
from the Commissioner OF Agriculture at
Washington asking that closer and more
intimate relations be entered into between
the Patrons and the Department, and depu.
ting him to represent the Department in
this meeting OF the farmers OF the country.
He also bore an invitation from the Com
missioner to this body to visit the Depart
ment and TO call in body on the President,
who was anxious to meet them. The letter
was ordered to be spread upon the minutes,
and referred to the Committee on the Good
Of the Order, for them to present some plan
by which suitable response may be made
to it.
VARIOUS.
Mr.. Moore. from the Committee on the
Good OF the Order, reported, recommend
ing that the next meeting OF the National
Grange be held at 10 O'Clock 4. NJ. on the
third Tuesday in November next in the
town of Canandagua, n. Y. Several other
names being proposed, showing the Grange
were not ready to select place for meet
ing, the matter was laid over for the pre-
sent.
Some discussion was had as to the loca-
ton of the office OF the secretary, and with
out action the subject was indefinitely post
poned.
The Committee on the Good OF the Order
reported adversely to the purchase OF q
place for the meetings Of the Grange and
the location Of the secretary's office.
The Committe on Finance made several
unimportant reports, which were all con-
Cured in.
The Committee on Accounts reported
one or more accounts which they had ail'
dited, and which were concurred IN by the
Grange.
Messrs. Aiken and Forsythe, members OF
Congress, were appointed to present tne
memorials to Congress ordered by this
Grange to be so presented.
The election of member Of the Execu'
tive Committee in place Of the one who
goes out by limitation was made the order
for 9:3O O'Clock this morning.
TOBACCO TAX.
The Committee on Resolutions reported
back the resolutions on this subject offered
by DR.. Blanton, Of Virginia, and recon-
mending their adoption.
AS the subjectmatter was one not well
understood by the members generally,
motion was made to refer the subject to a
special committee Of three.
m tbic cuhioct D,. plopfop ctrapoly on