Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-09-13
THE STATE GRANGE
OF WEST VIRGINIA HOLDS ITS MEET
ING AT ANDERSON.
An Interesting Meeting Vitality Of the
Grangers-The Female Element
Woman the True Help.Mate-
Addresses-The Next
Meeting.
FRANK HEREFORD ON MoNoPollES.
Correspondence OF the Register.


Correspondence OF the Register.
ALDERsoN, W. Va, September 10.
The West Virginia State Grange have
had their annual meeting this week, and
as a consequence the town has been
flooded with the farming population.
The State Grange officers came in on
Tuesday, and the meeting proper began
Wednesday and closed Thursday night
They seemed to have a very interesting
meeting, and came with no flourish OF
trumptets and departed as quietly. l
can do no better than send you an eI-
tract from leading editorial in recent
issue of the North American, as showing
the work the Grange seems to be accom-.
plishingi in Pennsylvania as well as in
this State: "The Grsngers of this State
are displaying an amount of vitality
which indicates that they have lately
been working more steadily, il with less
flourish OF trumpets, than during the
heyday OF their early incorporation.
Apart from their absurd war upon rail.
roads, which, by the way, is merely the
oretical, and considerably exaggerated by
outsiders, there are many features in
the organization of the Patrons OF Hus.
bandry which are highly commendable,
not the least OF which is the broad and
liberal plank which recognizes in woman
the true helpmeet and consequent equal
OF man. The admission Of the female
element to the Grange and its Offices has
proved great mutual advantage in ag-
ricultural circles.
Ad address OF welcome was made by
VIM. Haynes, Superintendent Of their
co operative store at this place, and was
replied to by Col. Baylor, Master OF the
State Grange. About one hundred and
fifty members ere present on the first
day. The principal feature OF the Sec
ond day was a public address delivered
by ex Senator Hereford on "Monopo.
lies "a favorite subject OF his.
The next meeting will be held at
Moundsville on the fourth Wednesday
vi oCLODcti iOo-' iou'St %H'
RAILROAD MoNoPoLIEs.
Extracts from an address delivered be-
fore the West Virginia State Grange,
at Anderson, September 8, 1881, by
ex-senator Hereford.
The speaker began by telling his au-
dience that there were great many
kinds OF monopolies, but he would
speak at the present time of railroad mo-
nopolies, and while his speech was
not a political address, he might say
something that would be against both
the great political parties; and he
would say this as regard the vital i'm
portance OF his question, that II the peo-
nlWh: tue 'InUnUpunes' Vi the coun.ry
they will put their hands on you, and
if possible crush out your very Liberties.
He was aware that speaking to an or
ganization OF this kind-on monopol y
seemed. like carrying Goals to New Gas
tlle-as he presumed: every member
had given the subject thought, and had
his convictions well formed. But really
too much could not be said on this great
ouestion,-for monopoly was stretching
its adhesive clutches over nearly every
thing in this country. It's influence 10
permeating all through society-oyer
the press, and getting control OF all
kinds OF trade. Indeed, he could not
account for some startling things that
have occurred in any other way. 80
selfish are We, 30 engaged IN making
money, that in our onward march Tor
wealth, we are neglectful OF all these
things Do We ever realize the amount
OF our lands that have.been given away
to these Railroad corporations? Why TO
one OF them has been given the enor'
nous amount OF $4,000 900 acres! as
much land as is in the six States Of
Virginia, West Virginia, North Caro-
lima, South Carolina, Georgia and Flori-
da-259, 900 square miles! Any one can
compute what a vast amount oil wealth
this will be when turned into money.
Never since the foundation OF the first
government on earth has 80 much
money been given to compromise indi'
yiduals or corporations by any govern
ment, and given to grind its people to
th. dust. The State OF California is
bound hand and foot by one OF these
corporations. Governors are elected,
Senators, Legislators, and down to
sheriffs and constables, by the power
and will of one railroad company.
Your own State is an example Oh the
influence OF these corporations. You
are forced to accept a lower price Tor the
products OF your farms than it costs you
to raise them, while some ot your out
side neighbors are growing rich from the
same productions which are carried
across YOUR state and TO Eastern mar.
kets cheaper than they are carried for
yol, although the distance may be three
times greater. Your valleys, which
might otherwise TEEN with grain, and
YOUR hillsides, Just suited for the paster-
aye of the best cattle and sheep, that
feeds on Gods green earth, are covered
With weeds, shrubs and briers. These
great corporations who run their rail-
roads through your State would allow
YOUR lands to grow up into bowling
wilderness, in order to favor certain cen.
tres OF trade, or TO extend their own
strength, wealth and influence.
You are slowly but surely being bound
hand and foot. And why! The great
reason is, that you are too busy-you
do not take time to Look after who you
are sending to the Legislature. Those
gentlemen who 60 to Wheeling with
passes in their pockets,-when they get
there they may uots sometimes in the In.
rests OF the railroad. And men are
sent there who have special rates fol
their freight, and other iavors. Are not
such men likely TO vote in favor OF the
interests OF the railroads? | Iwould not
dare to open q coal mine along the line
OF this road, whose train OF coal just nov
rattles past, or any other road, unless ]
had some special and binding rates with
the railroad. By an increase or decrease
OF one cent q bushel, they could ruin me
and enrich my neighbor, their fayorite
The government loaned the Pacific
Railroad a sum Of money, which will,
when due in 1902, amount TO over S2Oi,
100000. They are trying to avoid the
payment of this, but have recently been
compelled by Congress, although with q
small majority, 20 create a sinking fund
to gradually pay of the debt, and one o.