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 Mustcr-J. N
IIpSCoNn

LlPSCOMD.
Patrons Those Of you who were at the
last session Of the State Grange will recol.
lect that the reports of the Worthy Master
Secretary and Treasurer gave very gloomy
aspect as to our condition, both financially
aud as to the working of the order 1t af-
fords me great pleasure to inform you of
very decided change in the financial condi-
tion of the order, and to, congratulate you
upon it. II 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 pu. the Worthy Sccro-
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 d. 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 tho task, willing and jealous in
The work, for which feel it my duty to
give them my highest commendation and
ask you to add yours.
The results of this labor has entirely re-
lieved 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 Secrctary's office
transferred from the old to the new Sccre-
tary, which greatly retarded and embarras.
sed both the new Secretary and myself in
efficiently performing the duties of our res
pective offices, and answering the numerous
calls upon us for aid aud information
There has no yet been final or formal set
tlemcnt of the accounts of the Worthy Past
Secretary, Brother William Hood, with the
Treasurer. He rendered receipt for what
ho claims was balance due him on salary
amounting co $9S.10, and asking the Treas
urer to give him receipt in full This
Treasurer Aiken referred to me and de.
clined to approve, aud it is now for the
Grange to take charge of and fairly adjudi-
>-sate the whole matter.
In accordance with the action had at the
last session to establish Pomona Oranges.
have used my utmost endeavors to establish
one in each county, and have succeeded far
beyond my most sanguine expec;ations-
NJ It 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 pcrfccting
the Pomona system, by making such changes
and additions as the experience of your
members have found requisite and bencfi-
cial. In some cases, under the pressure of
peculiar circumstances, found that entire
failure would ensue from punctlions a6-
herence to technical rules and provisions,
and in such cases | have assumed the re-
sponsibility of partially dispensing with
mere forms, when could do so and not
violate imperative law or fundamental prin-
ciples.
While the order has in this State, as in
all others, as far as | am informed, de-
creased in numbers, it has improved ia 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 cx-
aggeratod expectations.
In accordance with your resolution Of
last session, "Summer Meeting" was held
at Anderson Court House, which was deep
ly interesting and highly beneficial to Pat
rons and the order-and also to those 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-
rlcultural nature, and others upon questions
of public policy. The effect of these es-
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 Anderson most
cordial invitation to hold the next Sum
mer Meeting" with them this was received
and thanks returned, and is now before you
for your consideration aud 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 ex officio full voting men,
bers of the State Grange, regardless of
whether they are Masters of subordinate
Oranges or not. Under the Pomona system
oil business communications, correspondence
and reports should go up and down between
the subordinate and State Oranges and their
respective officers, through tho Pomona
Grange and their officers, as this is tho only
way in which the affairs of the order cal
be efficiently conducted and constant cor fu-