The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1878-02-15
THE PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY.
SIXTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE STATE
GRANGE.
address Of the Worthy Mastcr-J. N.
IIPSCOMD

Patrons Those Of you who were at the
last session of the State Grange will recol-
lect that the reports of tho Worthy Master,
Secretary and Treasurer gave a very gloomy
aspect as to our condition, both financially
and as to the working of the order 1t af-
iords me great pleasure to inform you of a
very decided change in the financial condi-
ton of the order, and to congratulate you
upon it. Tt was supposed that this State
Grange was heavily in arrears for dues to
the National Grange, and totally unable to
pay out. l at once put the Worthy Sccrc-
tary and Treasurer to work to overhaul the
reports, accounts and settlements had bv
the former Secretary since 1874, with. the
view Of getting the full benefit of the re-
bate allowed by the National Grange upon
all the Oranges that should have been
marked ID. r., S. or c., on the quarterly re-
ports, and upon which the Worthy Treas.
urer of the National Grange assessed the
dues This required great labor intense
application, and that long continued; but
find the highly efficient officers you had
chosen rs Secretary and Treasurer fully ad-
equate to the task, willing and Jealous in
the work, for which feel it my duty to
give them my highest commentator and
ask you to add yours.
The results of this labor has entirely re-
lievod us from any Indebtedness to the Ma
tional Grange, and put our treasury, al
though not full, in sound and healthy con-
dition. There was long delay in getting
the books belonging to the Sccrctary's Office
transferred from the old to the new Sccrc-
tary, which greatly retarded and embarras.
sed both the new Secretary and myself in
efficiently performing the duties of our res
pcctive Offices, and answering the numerous
calls upon us for aid and information-
There has no yet been u final or formal set
tlcment of the accounts of the Worthy Past
Secretary, Brother William Hood, with the
Treasurer. He rendered 4 receipt for what
he claims was balance due him on salary.
amounting 90 S0S10, aud asking the Treas.
urer to give him receipt in full This
Treasurer Aiken referred to me and | de-
clincd to approve, and it is now for the
Grange to take charge of and fairly adjudi-
cate the whole matter.
In accordance with the action had at the
last session to establish Pomona Oranges, |
have used my utmost cndcavors to establish
one in each county, and have succeeded far
beyond my most sansuinc cxpec;ations-
lost of the counties of the State are now
under the Pomona system, and many dcriv-
ing great benefit from it, | most earnestly
urge upon you the Importance of pcrlcctin-
the Pomona system, by making such changes
and additions as the experience of your
members have found requisite and bcncii-
clal. In some eases, under the pressure of
peculiar circumstances, found that entire
failure wonld cnsuc from punctiions aa-
hernncc to technical rules and provisions,
and in such cases have assumed the re-
sponsibiity Of partially dispensing with
mere forms, when | could do so and not
violate imperative law or Fundamental prin-
ciplcs.
While the order has in this State, MS in
all others, as far as | am informed, de-
creased in numbers, it has improved in the
standard Of membership by improving all
those who had any zeal, and got rid of
many who joined from curiosity or selfish
motives, and were disappointed in their OK
aggcratcd expectations
In accordance with your resolution of
last session, 'Summcr Meeting" was held
at Anderson Court House, which was deep
ly interesting and highly beneficial! to Pat
loio aiiu tic oiu also tOIilOSc with
out the gates" and to the public generally.
Essays Of high order were read, aud dis
cussions had upon many subjects of an ag-
ricultural nature, and others upon questions
Of public policy. The effect of these cs-
says and discussions are to be seen in many
points Of legislation had and now pending.
The Grange and agriculturists of Spartan
burg County sent to us AT Andc. son Il most
cordial invitation to hold the next Sum
mcr Meeting with them this was received
and thanks returned. and is now before you
for your consideration and action
The question Of representation is one
that should have your careful and patient
consideration !; and if no other change is
made, let me impress upon you the almost
imperative necessity Of making Masters of
Pomona Oranges cx oiiicio full voting mem
bcrs of the State Grange, regardless of
whether they are Masters of subordinate
Oranges or not. Under the Pomona system
all business communications, correspondence
and reports should 90 up and down between
the subordinate ana State Oranges and their
respective officers, through the Pomona
Grange and their officers, as this is tho only
way i'll which the affairs of the order can
be efficiently conducted and constant cor fu-
sion and misunderstanding prevented
The greatest need Of the order in this
state now is that there shall be some one.
at least, Of the officers Of the State Grange
NJ Il