The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1882-01-21
Circular-DecisiO by Master
Wood man.
MASTERS OFFICE

PAW PAW, Mich, Dec. 26, 1881.
There being a difference of opin
ion among members of the Order
in relation to the rights and duties
of Pomona Oranges in comforting
the 9Th degree of the Order, as pro-
vided in the amendment made to
article I'd of the Constitution of the
National Grange in 1873, member
of the National Grange called for a
ruling from the Master upon the
question involved, and decision
was made. Upon this decision,
that most excellent Grange journal,
The LiDe Patron, makes the fol-
lowing mild criticism, which seems
to necessitate some further explana-
ton of the question:;
Master Woodman made ruling
that County Oranges can not con
fer the 5th degree upon person
not a member of that Grange. The
constitution says: ANY 4th degree
member in good standing shall be
eligible to office, or to receive the
degrees in the County, District,
State, or National Grange, within
whose jurisdiction ne may reside.
Query-Who will harmonize con
stltutlon and ruling?"
That provision of the constitution
above quoted is susceptible of diff
ferent construction is evident from
the fact different practices have
grown up under it. In some States
the construction and practice have
been in harmony with the above
ruling, while in others this amend
ment has been construed as making
it obligatory upon all County and
District Oranges to confer the 9Th
degree upon all 4th degree mem
bers applying for the same, and
without the payment Of any fee, OF
being elected to membership in the
Grange.
1t seems but reasonable thai
where the language of the constitu-
ton of the Order is susceptible oi
two constructions, the one most ir
harmony with the principles o.
equity and the theory of our organ
ization should be accepted as the
true meaning and intent of that in.
strument.
County and District pomona
Oranges are close organizations
like Subordinate Oranges, and thei
usefulness and very existence de
pend upon the permanency o
their membership, for which they
must depend upon the 4th degre'
members of the Subordinate Gran
ges, who alone are eligible to mem
bership.
Candidates for admission are re
quired to pay ''initiatory fees" ane
be elected to membership; then il
the language of the law providing
for their organization and govern
lnent-they "shaH be entitled to re
ceivc the degrees of Pomona and IL
| benefits" These organizations re
| ceive no revenues from the Subor
dinate Oranges, nor from any
| source, except the IceS ana dues o
their own members, and it does no
seem reasonable to infer that tn
| National Grange submitting thi
amendment, and the State Grange
ratifying it, intended to requir
them to confer the 5th degree upol
all persons .'elligible to member
ship" giving them all the right am
privileges of members except tina
of voting, and thereby diminish,
not entirely remove the source fror
which they must receive their men,
bers and support; or in other word:
to require County and Distrie
Oranges to spend their time an
funds in doing a work which mu:
result in positive injury if not i
ruin to them.
The organization and compos
ton of a State and the Nation;
| Grange are somewhat differer
from that of a County or Subord
nate Grange. They are the legisl'
| tive bodies of the Order, and tt