Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-12-23

over the presence of Bro Whitehead We
return our warmest congratulations for vour
continued prosperity.
FREbERIoK Robe, Master.
fra.ernal regards were exchanged With the
New Hampshire State Grange.
Adjourned At IL 80 until afternoon.
AFTERNOON.
Inc grange convened at 2.3O P. NJ with
'he " orthy Master in the chair,
ihe Committee on Education reported
through Its chairman, Bro. O. ]. Hancock.
IL was recommended that the district system
De abolished and the town system adopted.
A uniformity of text books was recommended
ana the Superintendent of Schools was ad
.lseo 70 have regular courses of study in all
the schools in the State. As a people we
point with pride to our many splendid institu-
tons OF learning No people are more in
terested in educational matters than
'hose residing in the rural districts,
ana should be one of our chief
Efforts to obtain for our children the same
educational advantages as those possess living
al the centers of industry The appropria-
ton of sufficient sums TO give pupils tpition
al the State College at less cost was advised.
Inc Importance of the grange as An educator
was cited The evil Of working boys 10 the
nela while they should be at school was dep
recated.
tonsiderable discussion arose over that
portion Of the report relative to the abolish
ment of the district system, several oppo.in
such change.
Hon ID. II. Thing favored the adjustment
OF the system ami sail thar in his travels he
had found on almost unanimous sentiment in
favor Of the town vstem.
Bro Hancock supported the town system
in bfi-f but telling speecn
Bro. Ham favored the district system
Mr.. +. L. Parkhurst stated that in his
town, Pressure Isle, after trial of the town
system Tor two years several citiz-ns wished
TO return to the district system and on vote
Oh the town out of 300 oaly wished TO
return.
The report of the committee was almost
unanimously adopted with an amendment
that the legislature should be asked to pass
law obliging the towns to furnish text
books free. A resolution, introduced BY
hon. +. E. Parkhurs', favorinQ agricultural
text books 10 the rural districts received a
passage
resolution WAS passed asking the Maine
delegation to vote for the Hatch bill
The grange proceeded to elect two mem
oers OF the Executive Committee, the terms
of office of I. b. Hunter and J. w. Lang
having expired; and s. Higgins, Orring
ton, was chosen in place of MIR. Hunter, and
j. w. Lang reelected.
Mr.. L. X. Ltctfield, chairman of the
Committee on the Good of the Order reported
Discipline, familiarity with and devotion to
the work, and co operation were advised Di-
rec;lon of effort was treated.
Adjourned.
EVENING.
The report of the committee on the gcsd
of the order was unanimously adopted
Miss Flora Thompson, daughter of r. p.
Thompson of Jay, read in graceful man
ner very well written and interesting poem,
entitled Death of Little Willie" At the
close the young lady was heartily applaudsd
One OF the most interesting events of the
evening was the presentation to National
Lecturer Whitehead of an elegant silver ser
vice of four pieces-a Christmas present of
the State Grange, as slight token of the
esteem and fraternal feelings of the Patrons
for him. Sister j. 0. Keyes presented the
gift IN very happy presentation speech as
follows:
Worthy Brother:
We have been pleased to greet you and
believe your coming to us will result in
much good. We expect after listening to
your wise counsel to be better prepared to
encounter difficulties and surmount obsta-
Giles, and we hope it may not prove entirely
lost opportunity, that you also may reap
some good. As testimonial of our esteem
and appreciation of your efforts in behalf Of
the brothers and sisters of the Maine State
Grange, present and ask you to accept this
small token of our interest and regard, and
when you look upon or use it, whenever you
may chance to be, may it speak to you the
kind wishes with which it has been embalm-
ed and dedicated to you. May the presence
aud the guiding hand of Him on whom alone
it is wise and safe to rely, ever be with you
and around you, to protect and bless,
and in good time bring you here again. With
these, our united wishes and our prayers, we
bid you "God speed"
MIR. Whitehead responded in feeling and
happy manner.
Nelson Ham, as chairman of the commit
tee on constitution and bylaws, reported
The report was accepted, adopted and re-
committed to be printed.
Adjourned.
To'day's Programme.
The programme for to-day is as follows: