The Portland daily press., 1886-12-22
PATRONS OF HUsBANDRY
Annual Meeting of the State Grange
at Augusta.
Sketch of the Origin and Growth of
the Order.
Promise of Profitable and interest
ing Session.
Especial to the Press.

| rtottttcc oi a FfoIitdpi6 anu tfltcfcSt-
ing Session.
Especial to the Press.l
AUGUSTA, Dec. 21.-Today has witnessed
the formal opening of the thirteenth annual
session of the State Grange of the Patrons
of Husbandry at Meonian Hail. Augusta.
This order which is doing so much for the
farmers of Maine, had its origin in the city
OF Washington in 1866. A clerk in the De-
partment of Agriculture by the name Of O.
ID. Kelley. After an extended tour of OBJ
servation among the farmers cf different
sections, during which he made himself ac-
quainted with their hardships and discour-
ments became convinced that through an or
ganization, these evils, which we're holding
farmers to life of drudgery, could be lifted
and better era be welcomed in. To this
idea he clung, interesting others until, in
December. 1867, seven men met and organ
lied the National Grange of the Patrons of
Husbandry. Here was the foundation laid
of what is growing to be powerful order.
| The first State Grange was instituted in Min
nesota in 1869.
A County Farmers Club in Penobscot
county has for years held regular sessions in
different localities, and this field, where agri-
culture had already received decided i'm
| petus, was the spot where the first Grange
in Maine was instituted. In 1873 the village
| of Hampdsn awoke to the fact that the pro-
gressive farmers there were not only alive to
the work Of their club, but also ready for
more advanced work in and through the
Grange. Here was the starting point and
out of this movement there have sprung 1S4
local Oranges, with a membership of
1851. Hardly a town of any size, save
perhaps the cities, where with the excep-
ton of Augusta) there is not wide awake
Grange. If It IS the farmers opportunity,
what must it be to the farmers wife who
finds herself here the equal, in all things,
with her husband, father and brother. 1t is
the only organization where the two sexes
meet ON equal footing, and labor together for
temperance, honesty. virtue and the homes
of Maine To preserve the order, certain
forms have been established, and the chief
requirement for membership, save that of a
| good character, is that man shall be tiller
| OF the soil. Men have laughed and sneered
at the order, but in spite of obstacles it has
forced its way, establishing its worth by the
work it has done. Today one cannot enter a
gathering of farmers and their wives with
out being made conscious of the fact that
some tie holds and binds them together, and
one impulse stimulates them to nobler ac-
tions. The presence of Grange in town
Is soon recognized by the improvement in
farm methods, the better crops grown and
stock raised, while inside the house the
work of the order is quickly seen in the
cheerful faces, which are now finding some
thing besides drudgery in the hard work of
the farmers life. The fact, one that outsid-
ers can never realize, that the farmers life
has until now, been lonely one. is the chief
reason, perhaps, why the order has such a
hold upon the hearts of the farmers of
Maine. Living by themselves, making long
GAYS asays,lwIith IN work OH always spresslng, they had
and seeing only the dark side of life. The
Grange came as the farmers opportunity,
and it will remain to bless, elevate and stim-
nlate all who from the soil bring forth their
livelihood.
This then, briefly stated, is the order
which we are to report. In this State we
have been fortunate in having for a chief
executive one whose interest for, and in the
order has never for moment deserted him.
In all the labors of his responsible position
he has never for moment forgotten to say
word, or perform an act that would advance
its interests. AS Master of the State Grange
he has led the way, aided and supported by
the thousands who knew his devotion to the
principles of true brotherhood.
The board of officers are:
Master-Hon Frederick Robe, Gcrham.
Overseer-E. II. Gregory Hampden.
Leciurer-D. H. Thing Mt Vernon
Steward t. III. Sprague, B0wdonham.
Assistant stewart-A. II. Whltmore, Bucks
port.
Chapain-Rev. o. j. Hancock, Saco.
| Treasurer-S. s. Smith, Norway.
Secretary-F. A. Allen, East Auburn.
| Gate Keeper-G. Nj. Douglass, Cornish.
Ceres-Mrs. +. Robie, Gorham.
| Pomona-Mrs. ID. NJ. Hall, Bangor.
.Flora-Mrs. e. III. Gregory Hampden.
| Stewardess-Mrs. A. II. Whitmore, Bucksport
Executive Commttee-Nelson Ham, Lewiston;
| j. w Lang, Bowdonham; I. b. Hunter, Strong;
| w. Ii. CHM, Prospect Ferry.
The Annual Seeeion
Promptly at the hour fixed the Worthy
Master raped to order and entered at cnce
upon the work of the session. All the Off
| GERS were reported present, and with them
fully 200 brothers and sisters from all parts
| of the State, Aroostook being especially well
represented. Not only do the meetings open
| with this large number, but the city is full of
members, who will at the later sessions fill
| the hall.
Eighty-six Oranges are represented, which
will serve to indicate something of the inter
est in the order. This, of course, is only the
| preliminary report, to be largely added to as
later trains bring additional delegates.
The report of the Secretary gives the State
| 1919 Oranges, with total membership of
14,13S-a net gain of 628 during the past
| year. Ten new Oranges have been insti-
tuted. and only one has surrendered its char
ter Surely this report is encouraging to the
order and Indicative of the work being done
by the farmers of our State
The State Lecturers report was very graft
flying as indicating a healthy growth
in sentiment as well as numbers.
The cooperative plan, which is one
of the essential features, has made
q decided advance the past year.
In trade, insurance and mutual aid there is
a decided improvement, as Changers appre
ciate what may be accomplished through
these channels. Over lbs lectures have been
delivered and Ill days work given to the
advancement of the order by the lecturer the
past year. The farmers meetings and festi-
walls were heartily commended, and the good
work done by them recognized everywhere.
The Importance of reaching the public and
fixing in their minds the work being done
by the Grange was strongly urged. The inn
portant question now is to gain the ear Of
farmers generally and impress them with
the grand work of the order. So far the
work done has been unselfsh, while the
public has reaped the benefits. The work
and influence Of the order has tended all the
while to the social and material elevation Of
the farmers everywhere.
The afternoon session was public and
many availed themselves of the opportunity
to listen to the stirring addresses of the
Worthy Master and the Lecturer of the Ma
tional Grange.
[Governor Robie's address will be found in
the supplement-
DANGEROUS coUNTERFEirs.
United States Detectives Hunt Down
the Spurious Dollar.
CHICAGO, Dec. 22.-For several months
Chicago, Minneapolis, st. Paul, Milwaukee,
and the smaller cities of the Northwest have