Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-11-14
BRIGHAM'S BUDGET.
ANNUAL ADDRESS OF THE MASTER OF
TIE NATIONAL GRANGE,
Delivered in this City Yesterday-The
Business and Progress of the
Past Year Set Forth.

AT yesterdays session OF the National
Grange, in open session, Master Brigham
read his annual address, which was as fol-
lows;
Officers daa Members Of The National Grdnqe-
For the first time IN the his DRY of our organiza-
ton we meet ON the Western shore of the CONT
nent- For this privilege we are indebted 10 the
hberality and energy of our brethren in this
State Of California
We come not as the gold seekers come, in
eager search for the precious metal. We come
not from mercenary motives or 10 crafty de-
sire TO see the sunset side of the continent but
rather 70 greet our sisters and brothers of the
Pacific slope. and reward their zeal and perse-
verance IN the good work, by extending to them
all the privileges and pleasures connected with
the session of the National head of our organi.
cation. We come prepared, nevertheless, 70
accept and erjoy the hospitality for which
Calitornians have worldwide reputation.
We are not here, however, solely TO enjoy our
selves. We hope 10 be able TO devise ways and
means to tighten the burdens and iDcrease the
happiness and prosperity OF those who till the
soil. We trust that our mission will not be a
vain one, but that our united lsbors will be
crowned with liberal harvest of good things
for our Order. home, class and country. trust
that the magnitude and importance OF the work
in which We are engaged, will impress every
member with sense of personal responsibility,
And whatever we do" let us strive to do
we'll
CONDITION OF THE ORDER.
Two hundred and four new Oranges have
been organized during the year. and several
hundred dormant Oranges have been reorgan-
lied. One State reports an increase of 200, an
other LEGO, another torty-two new Oranges, and
the young State of Washington not only comes
into the sisterhood of States, but also joins our
National organization with a fully equipped
State Grange.
The reports from several other States indicate
a degree Of prosperity which is very encourag-
ing. Work seems 70 give practical results not
lnarl ole
creased zeal and enthusiasm among the mem
bers. Ia other States for reasons which will
doubtless appear in the reports of state Masters,
the cause is less prosperous. | trust that our
lGborS at this session will tend to revive the in
terest where IL is langnishing, and accelerate
growth where the Order is now prosperous.
NECESSITY OF ORGANIZATION.
Every thoughtful farmer must already be con-
WINGED Of the absolute necessity of a strong ma
tiOnal organization.
We are thoroughly satisf ID that no plan has
yet been devised which is equal in ali aspects
10 that Of the Patrons of husbsndry. - one in
which ali ran find something 20 enjoy" and
not enjoyment alone, bnt helps thst will con-
tribute TO success upon the taun-comfort IN the
home, harmony in the neiehb0ThoOd and the
preservation of all the rights of citizenship.
We antsgonize no other plan of organization,
but are of the opinion that recruits will be far
more effective. when mustered into veteran
organization with years of experience purchased
at great cOsL than they can possibly be in any
VIII enable them to avoid mistakes, which
sometimes prove very disastrous. We earnestly
invite all farmers who realize the necessity of
organization to examine critically the Grange
plan and the history of IFS achievements before
afiliatlng with other organizations. In no other
way can intelligent choice be made.
FINANCIAL BENEFIT OF ORGANIZATION.
Arrangements have been perfected in many
of the States which enable members to supply
their wants at minimum cost. without the risk
ries, 80 per cent. of which enterprises result in
disappointment end loss to those directly inter-
ested therein. Every failure Injuries the organ
ization which 1t represents.
We expect in the future to extend our work in
the field of co operation, and aid our brothers in
the East 10 supplies of grain, without the added
profits of those who unnecessarily intervene be-
tween producer and consumer, and also enable
the Western producer to realize more for the
grain than he otherwise would.
DIRECT TAXATION.
The farmers are manifesting more than usual
interest in the subject of taxation, realizing as
they do, that in every State the average farmer
is unfairly burdened. For wealthy corporations,
and individuals owning stocks, bonds, notes
and mortgages there seems to be avenues of es-
cape from this burden or at least part of it. For
the farmer whose all is invested in land, tools
and stock, THERE u NO ESCAPE. His property is
on the list for taxation-theTe every year.
Organized persistent efforts will enable us to
close some of the avenues through which much
property escapes its fair share of this burden.
If we neglect TO use the means within our reach
and under our own control, organized capital
will continue to dominate those who make and
execute the law, and no relief will be extended
to the farmer.
INDIRECT TAXATION.
Taxes levied indirectly seem to be less objec-
tionable TO the people. One form of taxation is
by duties imposed upon products imported from
foreign countries. There is no general objec-
ton TO this form of taxation but radical differ
Wis nj N hp IF
taxes II is earnestly advocated by some of our
people that these duties shall be imposed for
the sole purpose of raising revenue; others,
with equal earnestneSs, urge that these duties be
SO imposed as to serve two-fold purpose, viz,
that of raising revenue, and also for the pur-
pose OF encouraging or protecting home indus
tries. l do not desire TO discuss these differ
ences in this address, but suggest that they
should be Thoroughly discussed by the farmers at
times when partisan zeal is not aroused
We must remember that there are honest diff
feTenceS Of opinion on these questiuns: and
honest discussion will tend TO enlightenment
but bitter partisan controversy Will only darken
the intellect. We are too apt to assume that
the right is the side espoused by our party. and
blindly follow wherever We are led. hope
that under the good influence of the Grange we
shall try and find out what is right rather than
accept the dictum of party without question.
think that we can, and should, agree that when
any policy is adopt it shall apply TO all classes
and interests.
If labor must be protected in the manufact-
uring interests, then equal protection should be
extended 70 those who work upon the farms and
in the mines. If the manufacturer of cloth and
leather is protected so also should the men be
who produce the wool and hides If the farmer
must meet free competition, so also should the
manufacturer. If policy is thus equally ap-
piled to all industries we shall soon be able to
decide what is best for the great body of our
people Theories may answer for the theorist.
but practical results will alone satisfy the
masses.
INTERNAL REVENUE.
There are indications that efforts will be
made at the next session of Congress TO repeal
the laws imposing taxes upon liquors and to-
bacco and in view of the fact that il is the in
tention of this body to exert some influence, if
possible, upon national legislation, this impor-
tant matter should receive careful corsidera-
ton, and our policy be outlined for the guild
ance OF those who shall present our views to
Congress.
Combinations to limit production and arbi-
trariy control prices are not new inventions,
nor are they a result, necessarily, of any system
of taxation Men have learned that 1t Is some
times more profitable TO combine, than TO COM
PETE, ana so long this is true trusts viii con-
tinue to exist unless legsluted out OF existence.
1t is not al easy matter to prohlbit them, and at
the same time not interfere with legitimate
business. 1t is d problem for statesmen to solve.
In the meantime the farmers Will find strong
organization means of defense against unjust
exRction by trusts or other combinations.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
For several years we have sought to secure
the elevation of the Department of Agriculture.
and annually my predecessors have reported
the failure of measure introduced in Congress
for that purpose. Repeated failures did not dis
courage us The SCOTS and sneerS of opponents
some of them fsmers-only caused us TO re-
form our lines and return to the field where we
had met defeat. II is my privilege, at this ses-
sion 10 report that our perseverance has been
rewarded. The Chief of the Department of
Agriculture will heucefOrth be trusted adviser
of the Ire sident; position from which he can
at all times secure a recognition of the chief
industry of ou- country, and through the Execu-
tive make such recommendations 10 Congress
rs the interests f agriculture may demand.
II was not to crafty any personal ambition:
or to create a new Office for some "plaee-seeker,"
thst we thus labored aud waited for the accom-
plishment OF this object. We recognize the fact
that the President of the United States IS not
likely 10 be chosen from among the farmers;
also that agriculture is not now. and may not be
hereafter fairly represented in the law-making