The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1880-03-06


bile, who amid the indifference manifest
ed all around him, nobly did his duty.
managed TO pay off every obligation
Thus failure overlook the only means of
meeting our obligations, and of placing
lecturers in the field. AS an expedient to
arouse the zeal of the Order, Col. Cham
bers was induced to purchase the 'Plan-
ters' Newspaper" and to found upon its
ruins the "Farm Journal" which was in
tended as an organ of the Grange, as well
as a general agricultural medium, but no
inducements could be brought to bear
which could get our members to support
it. The success of the Journal depended
mutually between the Journal on its part
giving the members of the Order salts
factory Grange paper, and the members
on their part giving it a sufficient sub
scription list to support it. Whilst l do
not acquit the proprietor of the Journal
of all blame in this matter, vet must do
him the justice of saying, that met by the
reigning apathy he was forced to look
elsewhere for support, and has been COM
PEELED to furnish paper to suit those who
supportit Upon the heels of these failures
the session of 1873 was convened. The
faithful few who assembled, recognizing
the efforts of the Chairman of the Execu-
tive Committee Immediately placed him
in the Masters chair, knowing that he
would accomplish all that could be under
the circumstances. He Immediately COM
missioned a number of Jealous county
deputies, and among this number was
Col. Grayson, so highly eulogized by your
correspondent from Bashi. But these
/ deputies found themselves utterly power
less for any good except to keep together
| their own Oranges and Col Grayson with
all his acknowledged zeal and ability has
proved no exception to the rule. Let me
here state that it is no purpose of the
writer to detract from Col Grayson, in
order to support the officers of the State
organization. On the contrary, endorse
what your correspondent has said in re-
gard to his zeal and ability, but show what
has actually accomplished when brought
into requisition.
| Another fair was held in Montgomery
last November in copartnership with the
Fair Association Of that place, but al
though financially a grand success, yet
through the management of the Associa-
| ton, only $4,000 fell to the share of the
Grange. The Association forced stipu-
| lation upon the Chairman of the Execu-
|
interest of the Grange, which prevented
the Subordinate Oranges from coming
| forward with their magnificent exhibits.
This was then charged to the bad faith Of
! the Grange, and after much contention
was compromised upon the payment of
the above sum. Most of this was sent to
the National Grange, and was the means
of saving our charter
/ When the Grange met soon after the
fair, the members were unanimously in
favor of continuing the Master in his office
as it was through his efforts that even
these small reeults were accomplished;
but his private affairs forbade his accept
ance. Capt. B. c. Harrison, a member OF
Pleasant Valley Grange, Grange which
will compare favorably with any in ex-
istence in the South, was called to the
front. Enclosed you will find a copy Of
an address to the Masters of Subordinate
Oranges, which has the true ring. He
asks for that confidence which has beer
denied to his predecessors. If he is. ac
corded that, he will again revive the Or
der. If it is again denied, he will be utter
ly powerless to accomplish anything.
After reading the above, l hope Mr.
Editor that you will see the impropriety
5 of your structures by adding to the wan
: of confidence in the officers of the organ
ization in Alabama, as that is precisel.
: what is weighing down the Order here
} They are suffering the consequences o
t the mismansgement of others, am
S through no fault of theirs. The cause
7 which have resulted in the present stat
3 of affairs have not been their work.
e This has not been written in a contro
7 versial spirit, and hope will meet wit
d your approval. Fraternally,
a L. L. MCCURDY,
y Secretary Alabama State Grange.