The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1889-11-30

necessary instructions, and the fol-
lowing list Of questions upon which
he requests their opinions, in wri-
ting, by December L:
LIST. Is the farmer receiving his
share of the profits on his produc-
tions? If not why notf
I'd. Can the formation of trusts
and combines, to monopolize produc-
tion and fix prices, be prevented
If so, how?
Sd. Are farmers interests as jeal-
ously guarded in legislative halls as
other interests? If not, why not2
4th. Is the single standard (gold),
or the double standard (gold and
silver best adapted to our wants as
a nation?
9th. Do you think the fees and
salaries of officials can be reduced
without detriment to the public SER
vice?
9Th. Ought U. S. senators to be
elected by popular vote?
7th. How shall money be stripped
of its power in controlling conven-
tions and elections?
These are questions of no little
Importance and we shall look for the
report upon them with good deal
of interest. In the meantime our
readers who are not delegates to the
state grange, are invited to give
their opinions upon these questions
through the columns of The Farmer,
and Brother Smith can take them
down to Springfield and present
them along with what he receives.
Speaking of the grange reminds
us of query received at the Office
last week. 1t is as follows:
A number of farmers in this neigh
borhood are talking of forming an
organization for mutual benefit, and
we are undecided whether to start a
plain farmers club or a grange.
Which is best?
1t would be impossible to decide
which is best without knowing all
the circumstances of the case. The
grange offers advantages the ordin-
airy farmers club does not possess.
If your object is only to meet for
the discussion of questions the far
mers' club, properly organized and
conducted, will serve your purpose.
But the grange, gives you equal
opportunities for discussion and in
tellectual exercise and improvement.
and adds to it the great advantage
of cooperation, the lack of which
renders the agricultural classes of
this country comparatively weak
and powerless. For this purpose
alone we wish there was a grange in
every township in the United States,
and that every intelligent farmer
was member. Then every mans
influence would be felt in the legis-
lative halls Of every state and in the
congress of the United States.
Farmers would not then be compel
led to "humbly pray" for laws that
they desired, hut could boldly de-
mand them, and their demands
would he complied with. They
could then successfully meet every
,onhinaiinn against their interests,
apd secure equal rights with other
industries. The grange has accom-
plished great work in this country.
and we believe it is just getting down
to solid business. 1t has got through
the experimental period of its exist
ence and knows, now, what it is
about, what it wants to accomplish
and the proper way to do it. 1t is
a complete organization existing in
every state and territory OF the I'M
ion, and is thoroughly equipped for
work. 1t is announced in the papers
that 10000 farmers have joined the
order in Michigan alone. since last
May, and that the number is con-
stantly increasing. This appears
almost incredible, but we know, at
least, that the order is increasing
wonderfully in our sister state and
The farmers up there
have been driven to the conclusion
that they must unite for their own
interests, and the grange was ready
at hand for this very purpose.
Recently the Farmers Alliance
has obtained Il start in the state.
This new organization is not secret,
and its object is, mainly, cooperation
among the farmers for their own in
terest. There will be no antagonism
between ii and the grange, for the
latter includes among it's objects all
that the alliance seeks to accomplish,
and they can work together harmoni-
ously to accomplish any particular
purpose. There are thousands of
farmers who will not unite with the
grange because Gifts secret feature
If the alliance can gather these into
its fold and thus secure their CO.
operation with the grange, it will do
great good.
A movement of farmers to organ
ize into a society of some kind, in
any community, is good sign. 1t
indicates laudable desire for i'm
and when it originates
with the farmers themselves, i'm
provement is sure to follow. Let |
such organizations be formed every
where, in every neighborhood They
become "centers of agricultural
thought and effort" in which vital
truths and principles are woven into
for action.-Ohio Farmer.