Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-12-20
THE STATE.
The STATE GRANGE.
Synopsis of Proceedings Of the An
nual Meeting.

OF the State Grange held in Lansing last
week was well attended AT tho first SEES
sion, after the work OF organization, the
chaplain, Mrs. Perry Mayo, made her an
nual report, as did also Flora, Mrs. Amun-
da Gunuison. The latter, as chairman OF
the committee appointed at last years
session To correspond with subordinate
oranges In the matter or "A national Hover,
reported that Us, a very large majority OF
the subordinate oranges, were In favor OF
the red clover.
At the afternoon session the regular
order OF business was suspended and Gov.
Luce talked entertainingly and exhaustive
~ or his recent California trip as a dele
gate to the meeting of the National
Grange.
The report Of Gate Keeper Carlisle show
ed that this officer had been active during
the year, instrumental in organizing sew
eral new oranges and in reyiying several
dormant ones. His work was confined
principally 20 the northern part of the
state.
Worthy Master Thomas Mars read his
annual address lie reported the order
throughout the state TO be ia "A tiOurishng
condition. Notwithstanding the extreme
drouth which prevailed throughout the
summer, the farmers had surplus of pro-
duce which he sorely regretted could not
be disposed of directly 90 the consumer
rather than through the agency OF disas-
uous trusts ana com bin 4tons. The
worthy master gave report OF his attend
ance upon the sessions OF the National
grange, 70 which every state IN the union
save three was represented, and closed
with words OF warm commentator OF the
state organ, the Grange Visitor, as well as
It's present and past editors.
a somewhat lengthy discussion was in
dulged in relative to the much mOoted
mortgage tax law, and majority OF the
speakers were strongly I'M favor OF the
law IN force in California and several
other states under which. in case of mort
gagged property, two tax receipts are given,
one OF which covers the tax on the sum
represented BY the mortgage and which
the mOrtgagor turns over 10 the MORTGAGE
IN part settlement Of principal and interest
The seventeenth annual report Of Sec.
rotary j. Il. COOb shows that the total re-
cclpts of his Office for the fiscal year were
sb,2is.SI. total disbursements, 8, 3SS.l2, an
excess or orders over receipts o. SlOJ.25
assuming that receipts as comp red with
The preceding year are an indication of the
condition OF the order, there is no occasion
Tor d.scour cement. The deficit il due To
falling OFT IN receipts from subordinate
oranges. Only two new oranges have been
organized during the year while several
have become dormant. Eight have been
reorganized and two have surrendered
their charters. No draft has been made
during the year on the drive well defense
fund, which now amounts 10 81 coz ~ and
IS safely invested.
\ general discussion was held relative
20 the Patrons Of Industry. The Conclu-
sion was reached that while the grange
wishes the patrons all success, they dld
not propose TO affiliate or combine with
them IN any manner as an organization.
Ihe treasurers report shows shat the
total receipts from all sources for the year
were sl2,j52.4J, aud the b lance IN the
treasury at this d 4te S3,5103l.
The report Of the executive committee
was very gratifying. They found the
books of the secretary and treasurer in
good shape and reported the order TO be in
fiourishing condition in all departments
OF work. They We're not at all pleased
with their treatment by the judiciary com
mittee OF the legislature before whom
they appeared last winter, as instructed by
the grange, in opposition TO the repeal Of
the so called mortage tax law. They felt
that they were snubbed and rudely treated
by majority OF the lnemo ers of the com.
mittees and were unsuccessful in their
mission the bill being passed However,
the governor vetoed the bill thus prevent
ing the repeal of the law. Their report
warmly commended the executive TOR his
action in the case. The receipts of the
year exceeded the expenses and the mem
bership of the order has Increased 2OJ dur
ing the year, there now being ll.612 mem
bers IN good standing in the state. They
also found the affairs Of the Grange Visi-
tor in a satisfactory condition.
An animated discussion was held over
resolution recommending that in the con-
struction and repairing Of highways the
system OF money tax be employed instead
of individual labor now in vogue. While
the resolution met with considerable favor
II was voted down.
The election of three members Of the ex-
ecutive committee to succeed j. G.. Rams
dell, +. ,. Hart and a. :. Partridge result
Ell in the choice Of j. G.. Ramsdell of Tray
erse City, j. g. A burlington Of Tuscola
and f. n. Bates Of Moline. No other Off
GERS will be elected this year, the present
officers holding over until next year under
the constitution.
The committee on legsl tive action re-
ported uufavoraDly a resolution TO the eff
feet that secret aries OF county boards Of
school examiners should be elected by the
people at general elections The committee
were of the opinion that the existing law
was an admirable one II carried out in the
proper spirit and if craftsmanship was elm
mated from all action hereunder.
Resolutions fivoring the establishment
OF plants for the manufacture of binder
Irvine by prison labor aud fostering the
idea Of manual training or industrial educa-
ton, after some discussion, was referred 20
the proper standing committees Pres-
dent Clute OF the Michigan agricultural
college spoke lcng.h Ina support Of the
last named resolution.
Upon invitation ex senator Perry MAYO
Of Calhoun county explained II length he
provisions and workings Of the interstate
commerce law OF which be is an ardent
advocate.
Before al ournment the grange endorsed
Chicago as the place Tor holding the world
fair.
A new feature Of grange work was added
last year by the National grange. IL comes
under the head of '.Woman's work. and
Mesdames Mayo, Sykes and Gunnison have
charge of the new branch in this state.
Each state has state lmmittee and eacn
county and subOrdin te gran ~ "A sub com
mittee. Much interest has been manifest
ed in the work since rs inception md great
good accomplished. TIE decoration, adorn-
ment and furnishing of grange halls is one
feature OF the work but the most import
ant feature and tue one which furnishes
the most lasting and satisfactory results.
is the lending Of helping hand 10 strug.
Cling sisters who are batting at odds for
existence. Flowers and fruit are carried
20 the sick in private homes and hospitas
and much suffering and distress relieved.
The feasibility of this new departure hav-
ing been demonstrated, il viii heuceforth
be pushed with renewed yigor and great
good accomplished