The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-12-14
The State Grange Meeting,


representatives in Harrisburg on Tues.
day afternoon. There were l15
oranges represented on FIRST roll call,
being 80 more than last year, an iudi-
cation that the organization is grow
ing. Nearly 400 delegates were pre-
sent.
A public meeting was held in the
house of representatives in the evening
The attendance was very large aud
much interest was manifested in the
remarks of the gentlemen who made ad.
dresses on the occasion
Worthy Master Leonard Rhone made
short address, in which he showed
the advantages of agriculture, and that
the revenue derived from ii alone
equalled all the combined manufactures
He also spoke of the action of the
congress in relation to the duty on raw
materials. The governor was then in
troduced and welcomed the members
of the order 10 the following address
Ladies and Gentlemen Of State
Grange.-It gives me much pleasure
to welcome you to this city as the plaos
for holding the annual meeting of your
organization. The capital of the state
is most fitting place for body of
citizens TO assemble whose purpose is
TO forward the interests of an industry
at once the Oldest and most important
in the commonwealth. In styling your.
selves the "Patrons of Husbandry' you
wear title dignifed wherever labor is
respected and most honored among a
people where simplicity. sincerity and
virtue most abound. You are the pat
rons of an industry which employs more
of the activities of man and contributes
more to the comfort, health and happi-
ness than any other form of human em-
ployment. The capital is therefore
honored by your presence as | am sure
the state will be benefited by your
labors. Hence, as the executive of
the commonwealth, welcome You here.
As citizen also, receive you with II
most hearty good pleasure. With the
deepest interest in the success of the
sessions which will occupy your thought
and attention, and the sincerest wish
for their success and progress, both as
a magistrate aud citizen, | extend to
you a most cordial welcome and be-
speak for you pleasant profitable and
successful session. The capital of the
state is glad to have you here, and /
am glad TO have the opportunity of
making your personal acquaintance.
THE WELCOME APPRECIATED.
Hon. Victor E. Piollet, of Wysox,
Bradford county, then stepped forward
and responded to the welcome of the
governor He said
GocerRor PattiSOn have been
appointed by the worthy master of the
Pennsylvania state grange to reply to
your address of welcome to the Patron
farmers assembled in their eleventh an
nual session.
Worthy Sire, we thank you thus pub
licly for having procured the hall of
the house of representatives as place
of meeting on this annual occasion.
The farmers throughout the state be-
longing to the grange organization,
and numbering many thousands of the
very best agricultural producers within
her borders, are complimented by your
presence among us and feel highly
honored by the warm and friendly
terms with which you greet our pres
ence.
The agricultural people of Pennsyl-
vania remember the occasion of your
its unpretentious and
frugal example which met with their
unqualified approval. The wholesome
and much needed reforms which you
promised executive. sanction have in
notable instances taken the shape of
law. In such instances as party poll
tics have .hwarted you the people we
here represent are on your side, and
will stand by you until they are accom-
plished.
The farmers of Pennsylvania deserve
the kind office of her chief magistrate,
since they contribute to greater ex-
tent than any other class Of her people |
10 the wealth and morality that
forms the proudest distinction of our
state.
We are fully aware that corrupt and |
unscrupulous politicians have been and
are now doing all they can to mis-
represent and defame your official acts.
These bad men will not be able to de-
stroy the well grounded confidence
which the mass of our citizens have in
your integrity and capability.
In conclusion allow me in behalf of
the laboring mass of agricultural peo-
pie to assure you we warmly appre-
ciate your efforts to promote their true
interests.
Your presence at our monster meet
ingin Williams grove and your address
on that occasion, your regular atten-
dance with the state board of agricul-
ture, the investigation you have made
to ascertain the defects of the manage
ment which has rendered the state
college of no value to our farmers and
mechanics for whose benefit it was en-
dowed, are notable instances Of your
solicltude for the most important in-
dustry in the state you are chosen to
govern.
Governor Pattison, you have endear-
ed yourself to the farmers of Pennsyl-
vania, and their unshaken faith in your
patriotism and integrity is their tribute
bestowed on this occasion.
Mr. Piollet concluded his remarks by
touching upon equal taxation and gen
eral legislation.