The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1881-08-06

were organized. The impression that our
body made at the State capital was deci-
dedly favorable, and the readiness with
which the legislators listened to our sug-
gestions was truly encouraging. reso-
luton has already passed the Legislature
instructing our members in Congress to
vote for the bill to make the Commissioner
of Agriculture Cabinet officer"
CALIFORNIA. uH
Bro. Shipman, Master of Califor-
MIA State Grange, in recent lotter
said
II find many Oranges taking in new
members. AS far as l have been able to
learn, the outlook for the Order is favora-
bic in this State"
ARKANSAS.
The Order in Arkansas met with
rcverses. The funds in the State
Treasury were exhausted, the Mas
ter died, and the Overseer refused
to assume the duties of the Master.
Hence the Order was left without a
head, and the Subordinate Oranges
ceased to pay dues to the State
Grange. | appointed Bro. J. V.
Scott, the Worthy Secretary of tho
State Grange National Deputy,
and took the Subordinate Oranges
under the jurisdiction Of the Ma
tional Grange. Bro. Scott is hope
full that he will soon be able to re-
organize the State Grange upon
sure and lasting basis. In recent
note he says:
"The good work goes on. I am in better
| spirits every day, for every mail brings me
encouraging reports.
LOUISIANA AND NEBRASKA.
Louisiana and Nebraska State
Oranges have for number of years
been dormant, and in each the same
financial history is repeated. Both
State Oranges lost heavily by the
failure of business agents and busi-
ness enterprises. | have exercised
the authority given me by the last
National Grange, to protect the
welfare of the Subordinate Oranges
in those States, and Lave appointed
Bro. III. w. l.. Lewis a National
Deputy for Louisiana, and Bro. G..
2. Miller for Nebraska. Bro. Lewis
was the first Master of his State
Grange, and under his administers
ton the Order prospered. He is
hopeful and writes me that reports
from the Subordinate Oranges are
coming in, and he will soon know
the condition Of the Order in his
State. He expects to reorganize
the State Grange soon. Bro. Miller,
of Nebraska, is also inspiring con-
fidence among the Subordinate
Oranges, and hopes to reorganize
the State Grange this season.
Experience is said to be ,''dear
school," but the lessons learned
therein are often valuable. Wher-
ever our Order has met with re-
verses in States, one of the princi-
pal causes has been depletion of the
Grange Treasury by unwise or un-
fortunate use of the funds. A
Grange with full treasury will live
and prosper, while one laboring un-
der financial embarrassments is
very apt to suspend work and be-
come dormant. These early errors
and consequent rcverses in the his
tory of our Order, were the results
of natural causes, which time and
experience are correcting. AS. q
rule, the funds of a Grange, other
Subordinate, County, State or Ma
tional, should net be used in busi-
ness nor placed in the hands of
agents or officers without ample
security for every dollar. -
1t must not be inferred that the
condition of the Order is not satis-
factory in the States which have
failed to report up to this time. L
am satisfied that the contrary is
true. This system of reports is
new departure in our work, and it
is evident that Masters of Subordi-
nate and State Oranges have failed
! to learn, or have forgotten the re-
ouirments of the National Grange.
As soon as the delinquent reports
arc received, / will summarize and
publish them. j. j. WooDMAN.