The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1879-11-01
ADDRESS OF WORTHY MASTER
A T TEAGIIE

A. F. LEAGUE,
Delivered before the Lee County (Texas) Coop
erative Association, upon assuming the Presi-
dency of the Association.
Brothers and Sisters of our noble Order
and of ibis association. In assuming the
duties of President of this Cooperative
body, do so with the earnest conviction
that am unable to discharge this duty
with the dignity and efficiency so essential
and so desirable in presiding over so intel
hgent body as the one before me- I am,
moreover, aware that notwithstanding my
locks are somewhat silvered by the frosts
OF many winters, you have many who
could have filled this position with more
honor to himself and reflected more credit
upon the Association. Yet you have seen
proper to confer this honor upon me, and
in return | can but promise to use my ut
most efforts in promoting the best inter
ests Of our Association while occupying
its highest position, assuring you that l
shall ever feel grateful for the esteem in
which my-co-laborers hold me, and 1 fond
ly hope you may never have cause to re-
gret your action.
With the feeling of true enthusiasm now
so plainly manifest, | can but feel assured
that | shall have the earnest cooperation
of every member and officer of this Asso-
citation while in the discharge of my du-
ties, as also in promoting the true interests
of the organization.
You must be aware that no one, no mat
ter how earnestly he may labor, can give
satisfaction, while discharging the many
and complex duties that will thrust them
selves upon the presiding officer of so
large a body as this, unless he have the
earnest efforts of every one in his behalf.
Therefore, | urge that every one exert
himself to make the meetings of this body
harmonious and interesting, as we'll as pc
cuniarily profitable.
AS farmers, we have but little time to
meet, to confer with each other, or to lis
ten to long speeches unless they can be
turned to some material benefit to us as
such, hence | would earnestly suggest that
every one study we'll every interest in our
business, and when we meet be able to
discuss in an intelligent way the legiti-
mate business before us, and thus avoid
bringing subjects before the body in a
crude shape. This will learn us to mature
our plans well and to execute them quickly.
Strict attention to matters under Consid-
| Grafton will always insure thorough un
Outstanding of them, and will enable all
to work rapidly and systematically to-
gether, or to battle against measure cal
culated to produce discord.
In the selection of your Board of Direc.
| tors and Secretary, must congratu
late you upon your good judgment
and here let me urge you to lend them al
aid in your power, extend them every en-
enlargement, stand firmly by them at all
at times, let them feel that you have con
| fidence in their executive ability, and
assure you that your reward will come
| through a successful business under thel1
control. They must have our encourage
ment, our confidence, our support. They
look for it, they need it, they deserve it
| Then let us not disappoint them.
In our Association, Wnlty is the ONT
great essential to success, and this W.
have thus tar Then let US continue a
one, and in the end our efforts will bt
crowned with success, and the bushes
under our control will reflect credit upol
| us.
| While success has so far crowned on
efforts, | feel that we are laboring unde
a wrong system. Our basis of business
not equitable, and for one l stand ready a
any moment to change our joint sys
tenn to the true plan, as recommended b,
the National Grange. I fully believe tina
so soon as our people fully understan
that plan, just so soon will it be adopte
by this Association. The change will nc
!, only benefit our members, but wi
} strengthen and build up our noble Orde
} as it never has been.
Here followed an explanation of tn
true plan of cooperation in detail.
| hot he re of
, business is distributed to patrons, that 500
} all patrons become stockholders, and 500
, all farmers become patrons in order t
reach its benefits: Thus we build up ne
only the business, but the entire Orde
will reap rich harvest.
Where such great benefits as these al
bestowed upon community, the mora
of its people must of necessity improve.
When we began business here, we kneN
but little about it and even less about CO
operation. Of necessity, we have mad
many changes, but, as you are all awar
< each change has been for the better, an
I do sincerely believe that no change tn;
has been or could be made, would con
4 pare with the one now under consider;
ton, namely, to adopt the true plan of C
operation Bro. Rose, of Bell count
+. urges all joint-stock cooperative associ
: tons to at once adopt the true plan, an
with the experience he has, feel that h
Judgment in the matter is not inferior
S that of any one, and heartily join him
his opinion. If others see this in diffe
e ent light, or we should fail to adopt tt
II true plan, let me urge you all to stick {
} eether, and, whatever your plan may b
e your efforts will be crowned with success
/ There is to-day going on one of Il
n grandest, yet the most quiet, revolution