The Portland daily press., 1886-12-24
MAINE CHANGERS.
The Officers Elected for the Ensuing
Year.
Report of the committee on Resoiu-
tIons.
interesting Exercises Held During
the Meetings of Yesterday.



AUGUSTA, Dec. 23.--The first business of
the morning session was the meeting Of the
Patrons Cooperative Cooperation, at which
time the reports of the various officers were
presented and accepted, and the following
officers elected for the ensuing year:
President-SamueI skillin, West Falmouth
Secretary-Samuol Bell Deering
Treasurer-C. E. Knight, Portland
Directors-Samuel Skillin, West Falmouth j.
o. Keyes, Wilton, Samuel Bell Falmouth.
AT the opening Of the second day. fully 500
members were in attendance. The repre-
sentatiyes are the masters and their wives,
so that the number of delegates represents
but fraction Of the number present. The
committee on credentials reported 113
Oranges, represented by 17S delegates. The
morning hour was devoted to an exemplifca-
tlon OF the unwritten work of the order by
the National Lecturer, which was rendered
In most effective manner, and this was fol-
lowed by an hours address, one of the
grandest ever listened to by the members of
the order. None left the hall without feel
ing anew the beauties Of the work Of the or
der
Following this came the appointment Of
the necessary committees, whose reports
will be discussed at the later sessions.
Wednesday Afternoon.
The afternoon session was taken up with
the reading and discussion Of the report of
the committee on education, which was final
ly recommitted for further changes. 1t sug-
gests important changes in our educational
laws, among them the abolishment of the
district system by legislative action.
Two members Of the executive committee
were elected to fill vacancies, the terms of Il.
B. Hunter. and j: W. Lang having expired.
). ii. Higgins, Orringt0n, and j. w. Lang of
Bowdolnham, were elected.
Mr.. Lang has labored so hard for years
that the Grange would not allow him to re-
tire, but recognized the worth of his valua-
BILE services to the order. He is faithful
worker for the true interests Of the Patrons
OF Husbandry.
The committee on fees and dues reported
no change advisable.
The committee ON good Of the order pre-
sented full report, carrying the following
points. 1st, discipline; I'd, familiarity with
the fundamental principles underlying the
order; Sd. devotion to the work; 4th, direc-
tlon Of effort; 9th, cooperation. This re-
port elected full discussion, and it was unan-
mously adopted.
During the evening session short recess
was taken, and young sister, X. b. Thomp-
son OF Jay, was introduced and read an
original poem, of much merit, and delivered
1t in pleasing and impressive manner. Fol-
lowing this, sister j. o. Keyes of Wilton,
stepped to the front. and in a neat speech
presented the Worthy Lecturer of the Ma
tional Grange with beautiful silver service,
from the members Of the State Grange, as a
token of regard and esteem. Mr.. Whitehead
was taken entirely by surprise, and was able
only to express his thanks and the pleasure
he had enjoyed while meeting with the
Grange.
An informal reception was held at Capital
Grange hail. which wos enjoyed by many.
The report of the committee on constitu-
ton and bylaws was promptly adopted, as
the changes are for the benefit of oranges
and to correct and:simplify many features.
AUGUSTA, Dec. 23.-This, the closing day
OF the State Grange, opened with reduced
attendance. The committee on granger fes-
tiyals reported, fayoring local picnics under
the supervision of county deputies, ins tead
of State festivals. The committee on trans
portation and commercial relations endorsed
the National Grange action relative to rail-
roads and corporations. The committee on
resolutions reported, recognizing the need of
a higher education, advising more attention
to sanitary matters, in favor Of supporting
the Name State College, and emphasizing
the duty of Patrons to organize to secure
legislation favorable to farming.