The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1879-12-20

hope for the future. We have yet among
us much Grange faith We base our hopes
of the future on Grange education for our
people, and we believe we must COM
menee. in the public schools of the State;
we have already secured the passage OF
law by our. Legislature providing tor
books to teach at least the elements OF
agriculture in our schools.
Bro. Franklin, of Verm nt-Our State
has ever been alive to the interests OF the
Order Although her membership is not
as large as when the tidal wave was
sweeping over the land, those we now
have, have a better realization of the true
objects of the Order. We-ha few DOR
mant Oranges, owing to the hurry and
mistakes at their organization. We have
no doubt that all of these can, with prop
er means, be put upon a solid foundation.
With us the financial feature has not been
a success. Our State Agency has been
abandoned. We don't consider that fea-
ture the hope Of the Order in our State.
We should look deeper for the causes..that
burden our people We will find on in
vestigation that the laws of this country
are such as TO burden the farmer. We
must take the ground that the farmer
must have better representation. The
National Grange should at this session
lay plans for high objects that are worthy
of the support of our membership. We
of Vermont are willing to work with our
brethren of the South in carrying out all
the high objects of our Declaration, !"
until we shall be held together by a united
bond from one end of our land to the
other. ----rss ss--
Bro. Baylor, of West Virginia--Ou Dur
State is getting along well. We have
about eight thousand good members. We
are in healthy condition Internationally
and financially. The business features of
our Order through cooperation have
with us been great helps, and are being
carried out with increasing success; are
building up the Order in some portions of
our State. We have so far managed the
finances Of our State Grange with sue
cess; always have had money i'll the treas
ury, and have not asked any financial aid
from the NationalGrange. We are making
progress. We have instructed our Legis-
latures and members of Congress to our
advantage. Senator Davis of West Vir
ginia, was the first to introduce into Con-
gress a resolution to promote the interests
of agriculture, and the first to state on the
floor of the Senate that the Grange was a
success, at least in West Va.
Bro. Sherwin of Wis.-In onr State we
have taken the lead in some Grange work
All knew of the railroad war in regard to
freights. Our people were pledged to
carry it to successful issue. We were
united and in earnest and we succeeded.
We are seeking to do our business at home
and do it we'll. We have had our share
of work in cooperation. We lowered
plaster from $II.oo to $500 per ton by
bringing in three hundred car loads at one
time from Iowa; last year reduced the
price to $4.5o per ton. The Grange pays
us in manhood and in our pockets. We
are out of debt. Wisconsin has never
begged, and hope she never will. We
have large numbers of cooperative stores,
and they are successful. We intend to go
on with it in our State We are working
to affect legislation in regard to taxation.
We are demanding equal taxation, and
will never give up the contest.
Bro. Smith, of Georgia. regret ex-
ceedingly that | cannot report more ia
vorably from our State. Our State Grange
refused to reduce its representation, and
it exhausted our Treasury. We have a
large and successful State Agricultural So
ciety that meets twice during the year 1t
is largely fostered by the railroads, who
furnish free passes to all delegates. Free
entertainment is also generally had. While
this has hindered Grange progress, it has
not stopped the advance of agriculture.
The State Board of A griculture is an out
growth of the Grange. We shall never
consent for the Grange to die on account
of its nationality. We must preserve it to
hold in check the evil designs of partisans
| L L
Georgia. We have accepted the situation
and don't wish it changed. Let us all
work together in our Order 10 break down
the sectional feeling that politicians are
constantly endeavoring to promote.