Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1888-05-04
PATRONS OF Hl'SBANDRY.
MORTIMER WHITEHEAD.


Under the appropriate title of "Bea-
con Lights" a good member of the
Grange in Oregon sends the following
thoughts and gleanings to the Cali
fornia Patron:
In Maine the Order continues TO
move on the upward grade. Its mem
bership exceeds $4,000, and the inter
est in the Grange work grows.
1.-The keynote to Grange success is
the education and development of the
brain power of the farmers of this
Nation"
'In matters of legislation our organ
ization has been recognized as never
before, and we have secured the pas
sage of all measures presented that
affect the farming interest of the
State"
Prosperity to the Order cannot be
brought about by sitting with folded
hands.
The educational work of the Order
is slowly but surely advancing.
The social Improvement of the MEM
bership is an important feature OF
our work.
If the lethargy that at times and
places settles down upon the members
can be overcome, progress is assured. "
While we have some things TO dis
courage, there is much in the outlook
to strengthen and stimulate our faith.
The strong Oranges are growing
stronger, and the weak ones are hold
ing their own.
We must acknowledge the Grange
press as a most efficient aid in build
ing up and maintaining the Order.
"A good Grange Lecturer will do
much TO arouse the Order to activity.
The key to our present and future
success will be found in the means
that will unite us in carrying out our
Declaration of Purposes.
Much real progress has been made,
and the Order is on a stronger and
better foundation than for many
years.
"A powerful agency in the work
has been the press. Do not rel wholly
on the printed page for complete re-
suits Look upon it only as fore
runner and educator, as a helper for
the continued prosperity and stability
of the Order.
The fruits of this silent but power
full agency are seen on every hand.
Intelligent farmers are beginning
to realize the practical benefits of or
ganization.
The farmer is not easily moved by
any new or novel excitement.
I'm public affairs as in individual
business he is methodical.
by rallying our people again and
again we are making steady Roadway
in our great cause in ameliorating the
condition of our class.
The Grange has passed the Rubl-
con in Missouri"
Farmers are awakening TO the great
and important work before them.
The Subordinate Oranges that show
the best increase in members are the
ones that have met often and have
had good literary programs for each
meeting. We need more laborers.
Farmers are beginning to think
and act for themselves upon questions
OF vital Importance to them and their
country.
Our influence in matters of State
legislation has constantly increased
during the last six years. Through
our influence we now have law sim
liar to the one proposed by the Reagan
bill. We also have a Railroad Com
mission doing pretty good work.
Their recommendations, if obeyed by
railroads (and think they will be-,
will save two dollars per ton on wheat
shipped from Eastern Oregon and
Washington. These laws were not
only supported by the Grange, but
the original bills were drawn 10y the
Legislative Committee of the Grange,
and presented to the Legislature by
members who are Changers.
Governor Oglesby, speaking to the
farmers at Joliet, ILL.,, said that the
land question is one of the most mo-
mentous problems before the people.
The population of this country Is rap
idly increasing. while the farming
class remains about the same. Land
is more valuable than money. We
need to study the soil, and even go
deeper to find the water-courses under
the surface, and make them service
able in turning unproductive lands IN
the West into fruitful fields. Land in
England is worth $500 to 800 an acre
and it will soon be as high here.
What will we be a hundred years
hence with 10000, 900 people in the
country? He advised farmers to stick
to their land, improve it, and see that
no one but themselves owned 1T.
A New York letter carrier in his
regulation gray suit with brass but
tons was sitting by the side of an ell
derby gentleman who wore SLOUGH
hat.
Your suit has a familiar look to
me- remarked the latter.
Where were you letter carrier
asked the distributor of mail matter.
Il never was letter carrier, but l
was in the Confederate army, and oc-
casionally got over more ground in
a day than you ever do"