The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1882-04-07
Q oRR EsPoN pENcE



EfRor Democrat
At grange meeting held NJ Ear-
mony Grange Hall, on tho 25th inst,
the Sd and 4th degrees were conferr-
ed on class Of nine, seven young
men and two ladies. / must say the
officers Of that Grange deserve great
credit sur the able manner In which
they performed their duty.
The unwitten work was exempt
eed by II. A. Irvlne, assisted by Clay
Powell, in IA very plain manner and
with great force. The w. H., s. a.
Dawson, declared a recess Of an hour
for the harvest feast, which was pre-
pared by tho good sisters. The ro-
past was bountiful and Of the best and
finest quality, and tho way they par
took OF the edibles set before them
was sure sign that they all enjoyed
themselves to tho fullest extent.
Dinner being over tho grange was
called 10 order by tho master.
There were several addresses made
by visiting friends and lt was shown
beyond doubt that IL was necessary
for the protection Of tho farming com
munlty that the Grange wa5 organic
cd. II was shown that In 1906 there
vas complaining throughout the
United States among the farming
community. Andrew johnson, pres
ident OF tho Uaited States, appointed
o. ii. Kelley, Of the bureau OF agrI-
culture at Washington 20 make "a
tour OF tho southern states, and re-
port upon their agricultural resources.
Mr. Kelly was well qualified for the
task assigned him. Ho visited all
the southern states and Inquired
mlnuteIy into their condition, con-
versing freely with the farmers and
planters. One Of the results OF this
tour was the awakening Of Mr.. Kelly
10 tho utterly helpless condition Of
tho farming Interests, not only In the
south but the whole country. There
were evils from which this class were
\ suffering, and which oil acknowledge
cd but there was no remedy 90 be
found for them. Tho farmers were
scattered, divided In opinion, almost
indifferent 10 their condition and
without any means Of expressing CT
enforcing their views as body.
IL seemed clear 10 Mr. Kelley that
a remedy was 10 b0 found for the
evils that no encountered, IL must be
In the associated and harmonious ac-
tion Of the farming class, and in order
10 bring about such an action, the
farmers must be given m opportuui-
~ for association, and he conceived
tao plan of bringing them together
through the medium Of an order for
their interest. Mr. Kelley returned
TO Washington Ia Nov, 1866. aud
mentioned his scheme 10 William
Saunders tho superintendent Of the
gardens and grounds OF the depart
ment OF agriculture 10, Wm. II. Ire
land, chief clerk Of the finance Office
OF tho posiofice department, 10 J. Il.
Thompson ofthe treasury department,
10 Rey. a. Il. Gross, OF the depart
ment OF agriculture, and 10 Rev. DR..
: John Trimble, Of tho treasury dc.
| par,ment. The matter was discussed
by these gentlemen aud, en- the 9Th
day of August, 1867, the Grange was
organized, Wm. Saunders, master.
II was also shown that through the
{ Orange OF Wisconsin the legislature
OF that Stale passed law regulating
freights, and that the railroad com
panies claimed they had no right "a
pass a law OF that kind. The case
( WAS carried TO the supreme court oI
a tRe United sta:es aud decided that
the legislature had the right 70 regu
late frelghts. Ii was also shown thai
. IN 1876 the grangers attempted &
put on line Of steamboats, 10 rur
from Albany TO Portland, and tha
there was n compromise made viii
the o. s. y. Co., with tho understand
J ing that they would carry freigh
from Albany TO Portland for 0 CT
instead OF ii cts. This transaction
. saved the farmers Of Linn Go. tina
year 81, 200.
BY cooperating together the gran
, gers OF Linn county havo been bene
fitted great deal financially. Tn,
order Is also social and moral In
stilution. The lectures on the mora
part were excellent, showing that TIT
:, associates young man or lady KEEP
had great influence with them, anC
that the influence OF the substantial
formers and their wives was mucl
= better for the young people than tn
influence Of certain class that ar
around the different saloons.
Ny oppinion Is that there Is no or
ganization that is having as goo'
: effect on cur children, in Linn count.
= as the Grange has today nearly al
= = the farmers' children, on the prairie
are Joining the Grange this winte
and spring, and 1t does my soul GOO
= to SEQ how much good il does In
sisters to see their children becomIn
Z members and TO knew TINT they ar
coming under the iniiuesce Of tn
substantial farmers and their wive
,. instead of those young men Who ru
around the ''dead falls" in the differ
n ent towns. / am satisfied that ther
J are but few farmers In Linn count
!, but what would join tho Grange
they understood the objects of the'ol
der, and the moral influence il wi
have on tSeir children. / hear ther
Is talk of public meeting at Charit
Grange Hall the last of May. Farm
Q ers come out and hear what we hav
O. to say. Bring your wives and chi
dren, II will not DO you any harm.
n A. GRANGER.
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ARRIVED Safely HOME