The Portland daily press., 1885-12-16

After the formal organization of the meeting
and the roll call, the following committees were
appointed by the Worthy Master:
Committee on observation-disclosures. d. NJ. Hall,
H. Whitmore, T. H. Sprague, Joseph White, r.
w Ellis, Mrs. B. +. Carter, Mrs. D. A. Burr, Mrs.
W. S. Rogers, Mrs. II. Whitmore
Committee on Order of Business-Messrs. >. L.
Boardman, z W Jose, s. H Higgins. ,. T. wa Park-
o. Kyes, Mrs. S. G. Watson. -
Committee on Resolutions Messrs; H. A: Gill
bert, T. Conforth n Ham, E Richards. GGnaGav s. ls B.
s. H. Higgins, Mrs. q. A. Gilbert
The roll of delegates present was called, and
the Worthy Master ruled that the past master
and his wife when the master and wife are alb
sent. are entitled to a voice in the meeting, also
that the masters of county oranges are entitled to
seat in the meeting.
Following this the meeting adjourned till two
O'Clock this afternoon.
Worthy Master Robie's Address.
At2 O'Clock this afternoon public meeting was
held, and Master Robie's address was listened to
with marked attention. The following are ex-
tracts from the address:
The address opened with words of welcome to
the representatives of the subordinate oranges of
Maine, at this the twelfth annual session of the
Maine State Grange He lalluded to the begin
ming of the order, and its development in all the
States The Order is founded upon a united agri-
cultural brotherhood knowing no North, no S0utn,
no East and no West. On this liberal platform the
farmers of this country united nineteen years ago.
and they have been true to their declaration, and
it is the high purpose OF this organization ITO
labor for our Order, our country and mankind"
The late meeting of the National Grange at
Boston was alluded to as one Of the best the Or
der has ever held.
AGRICULTURE
Agriculture imparts the breath OF existence to
all other industries of civilized life. 1t sets in
motion the sails of commerce. 1t moves the spin
die Of the factory Il + feeds 6la ana clothes te
the historic fact that the foundation OF national
prosperity rests primarily upon the success Of the
agricultural interest. Agriculture was instituted
when the world was first created Eden was its
early home, and God its great Patron: The tall
of man produced an entire revolution ID all OF the
natural surroundings of that eventful period
The cattle no longer representatives OF beau
ty sizeand strength the golden and perfect apple
uninyiting tree; fields of wheat, corn and grain
were Infested by the herb, briar and thistle.
INFLUENCE OF AGRICULTURE.
The superior elements of personal character
are strengthened under the influence OF farm llfe
The farmer in his daily work continually holds
communion with the God of Nature; there is a
strong and certain connection through the cords
Of Faith and Hope with the great Unseen. These
elements OF personal character inspire depend
enee and confidence in the human heart.
Another important personal element that be-
longs to the occupation OF farming, wIich aaes 70
its dignity and usefulness, and is of the highest
importance for the security OF national govern
meut is that we have strong and vigorous man
hood and wonanhood capable of defending our
homes and firesides and perpetuating the manly
characteristics ofsthe race. Nowhere are the con-
stitutional requisites of muscular strength and
bodily endurance better developed than by the
labor and experiences of country farm life.
AGRICULTURAL PRoGREssIoNs.
There are well-defined principles in every de-
partment of farm labor which must be followed
in order to secure the largest amount OF produc-
tions and the greatest profit therefor. Farmers
ands farmings have been behind the general
march of Improvement; but for the last twenty
five years there has been more special eilort,
a more general understanding and practice OF the
requirements Of a well-regulated and proficient
agriculture.
One effect the Grange has had is to cheaper
the tools and machinery used by the farmers 1t
is one of the grand purposes OF the Grange,
through our State store, and other sources TO dea
directly with the manufacturer, and thereby save
profits which belong to the tarmer ana tuS glye I'VE
him better and cheaper opportunity TO multiply
his farm productions by easy labor.
AGRICULTURE AND BUSINESS.
The relations between agriculture and the gen
eral prosperity of the country are very intimate
Investigation shows that when the general pros
perlty Of the country Is tne a greSteS @ ie ~ t
farm, and labor receives its greatest remunera-
ton: The manufacturing interests OF the country
are intimately connected with agriculture.
In Maine, of the 80, 100 persons engaged in ag-
ricultllral pursuits. 77,742 were born in the
United States, less than one twentieth foreign
IL.
the farmers of this State have less to fear from
the competition produced by immigration than
their fellow-laborers in other parts ol the coWl-
try.
Another thing that indicates that the outlook
for the farmers of Maine averages better than IN
many other sections of the country is the TACT tat
the number of agricultuTaliSts in this State does
not bear an equal proportion to the number en-
gagged in all occupations with the average 10 14r tle
sons in Maine engaged in agriculture Is S2,l3o
while the number engaged in all occupations is
231 1898, or nearly three times as many.
The number of persons engaged IN all occupa-
tons in the entire country is II 1892 ,099, or Two
and one half times more than the total number
engaged in agriculture Thus 1t Will be seen that
the Maine farmer has more elbow room and there
are relatively more consumers to feed IN Maine
than in many other States There Is also s less o
turists owing TO the peculiaritIes OF the state
Tile work of the National Grange at its late
meeting in Boston. with the resolutions then
passed, were reviewed by the State Master.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.
Several important amendments are to be sub
mitted for consideration One change Il adopted
pcants of both sexes, for the four degrees, in
stead of the present requirement OF three dollars
for men and one dollar for women There IS alse
another change, which, if adopted, will fix the
minimum monthly dues to be pad 10 the state
Grange at two CENTS giving each subordinate
Grange the opportunity OF further regulating It's
own dues instead Of requiring from all members
The present monthly payment Of ten cents. Maine
has annually paid so large sum into the Nation,
al treasury that an economical administration OF
its affairs is Of special interest. Names contri
button this year was $60O.22, only two States
paying larger sum. Another question to be sub
ntted to the action of the State Grange at this ses
sion is the of changing the constitution whicl
would give biennial instead OF annual sessions
the National Grange. AS the last Nationa
Grange cost our treasury over S11 900, and We
contribute about one-tenth of all the money thai
goes from the several states into the Mation IA,
careful consideration it demands.
SIXTH DEGREE.
The comforting Of the sixth degree was one o
| the most impressive exercises of the Natlona
| Grange 1t was conferred upon 1866 members
| 1876 of whom were from Maine.
ORGANIZATION.
| This is a progressive age. All classes and pre-
fesSionS are fully organized throughout the clVl
| lied world laborng to promote and protect tnel
several special interests. 1t seems at least logiea
| that farmers should also avail themselves of th
| advantages of organized effort. This is just VIVA
| the grange aims at and is accomplishing. IN
| grange has in special keeping the intellectual Sc
cial, civil and pecuniary interests of its members
| Agricultural interests demand REIMBURSEMENT @
| taxation so that farms and stocks shall no longe
| pay so unjust a proportion Of public expenses.
Maine should keep up the grange. 1t has COS
| those who have followed its fortunes for the pas
| twelve years much labor and anxiety. Our fail
| ures where they exist in any locality have beel
| from the lack OF support from the farmer hmSel
| We should have live grange in every agricultql
/ al tOWu III tuO OtdlCs luS grange Hall SllOuiN
the centre Of intellectual and Social enjoymen
National, State and town questions OF interest !
| farmers should be discussed. The purchase
large tracts of land by British subjects should
| resisted through public sentiment and nationf
legislation. The undue influence of gigantic fol
tunes, and political corruption by the use OF MOI
ey at the elections should be repealed by the vote
Of every lover Of his country particularly by thos
who own and cultivate the soil of the State, j al
proud to say that purchased legislation has NJ
| been recognized in the State of Maine; but haV
| frequently been informed by those who have ma
the best opportunity to know, that such a cond
ton exists in many of the larger States Of tn
| Union.
| MEMBERSHIP.
| In regard to eligibility Of membership OF tl
| grange the Worthy Master says that at preseI
the membership is limited to those engaged
agricultural pursuits; but originally the door
were opened to those interested in agricultur;
| pursuits. The Worthy Master thinks this chang
has been beneficial. Still men who merely owne
| a hennery or COW, men who were engaged
agriculture in the most limited manner, manage
to get in This led the master Of the Nation
| Grange to issue decision that engaged in agI