The Greenville times., 1883-05-12
The Great Grange Movement.
New Mississinnian.I


We have always understood that
the Changers were a benevolent
secret society, whose leading aim
was to promote the doctrine of
philanthropy among its members,
and to aid in the advancement of
the science of husbandry. AS long
as the Changers eOnfne them
selves to the moral incubation of
philanthropieal objects, and to the
discussion among its members of
the science of husbandry and the
proper rules for the advancement
OF the same, we are disposed to
treat the Changers as we do all
other kindred charitable institu-
tions. But when the Granger takes
off his agricultural coat and rolls
up his political sleeves and propo-
ses to engage in the business of
giving blows to effect the general
system of legislation of the State,
it becomes necessary for us to look
into the matter as public journ-
alist, and to endeavor to fix his
status.
For instance, the Claiborne
county Grange meets and extends
the privilege of the floor to a num-
Der ofprominent members of other
Oranges in the State, and then en-
cages in the manufacture Of politi-
cal dynamite in the shape of some
eleven resolutions. OF course the
Granger has just as good a right
to go into this business as has the
Greenback party, the nihilists, the
communists, the anti,monopoly
party, the labor reform party, the
great Republican party, or the glo-
rious old ship of Jetfersonian De-
mocracy, and we now shake hands
with him as one of the political
brotherhood.
Our Claiborne brother has taken
a considerable bite of State poll
ties in his recent eleven res0lu-
tions, which we boil down as fol-
lows:
/. Repeal the lien law.
.. Repeal all laws cxempting
stock companies from taxation.
! 3. Supervise all chartered insti-
tutions.
4. Searching laws into eyasions
of taxing laws.
8. Elections by the people of all
civil officers.
9. Make lobbying q misdemea-
nor.
Z. Prohibit free passes and rail
road discrimination.
s. Overhaul the causes which
prevent profitable agriculture.
0. Progress from tenent to wage
system.
10. Divcrsiiication of crops, etc.
II. Create an exclusive white
female college.
These resolutions cloak some of
the measures which a number of
journals have thus far, without ef-
feet, been endeavoring TO throw as
bombs into the Democratic camp,
and we congratulate the people of
Mississippi, that the Changers
have taken the same as specialties
under their charge. State Democ-
racy is greatly relieved by this
brotherhood taking the custody of
this assorted political cargo. Now
if in National politics they will fuse
with all that impractical element,
who want free trade, and tariff for
revenue only, to be collected, how
ever, neither by an internal reve-
nue. system or any other conceiva-
BILE plan, the country nationally can
be congratulated.
The political prominence of the
action of the Grange is shown III
a resolution passed at the night
session. 1t was then resolved that
subordinate Oranges nave the
resolutions published in the coun-
ty papers and that they be request
ed to demand of candidates for
the Legislature a pledge to sup
port the measures therein advoca-
ted. and if they refuse, decline to
vote for them"
Secret political organizations
never effect results, and the skin
of the husbandman will not hide
the political wolf, moving about as
an innocent Granger.