Telegram-herald., 1890-08-08
PATRONS CELEBRATE
They Took Possession OF North
PARK Yesterday
AID ENJOY ~ OLD FASHIONED TINE
a ;. Partridge. Prohibition SomiRes for
oOssrn0F, aud Oghers Address IAsza-~
Ihey Decide the oonasTosk site as
Their Choice f0F fair Grounds

IL was not under the historical char
ter oak at Boston tnst the Patrons oi
Industry met yesterday, but clnmp
CT beauufuI naples, hard by the pay
il.oa at North PARK, sheltered the
sturdy farmers who chiefly compose
/ Michigan's new and formidable polit-
ical party Ii Was here that fully 1000
people gathered yesterday, ostensibiy
70 picnic, but before night had mantled
the earth, the orators OF the party were
called on and their views on the sltua-
ton OF the day were fully ventilated
with all the eloQuenee they could COM
mand.
IL was thoroughly a picnic party,
however, and the farmers were there
IN full force with wives, daughters and
sweethearts. Those who were not dis
posed 10 listen 10 the oratorical out
turstS, were at liberty 10 roam where
desire or fancy attracted them. The
result was that the pavilion was crowd
ed. the river dotted with tiny craft and
the woods invaded by fern gatherers
and flower seekers. Here and there
banner Of some particular div was
planted aud the enthusiasts gathered
around their standard with all the
proud glee of glad, happy and inno-
cent people. They nad their baskets
with them and the good things which
they finally spread before them were
disposed of with relish that would
surprise many OF the city brethern.
An inIproyised grand stand was erect
ed near the railroad track, directly
across from the hundreds OF whit.
grave stones which mark the last rest
ing place of the old veterans who have
/ died at MIchigan's Soldiers Home. It.
was here that the speech-making took
] place. The platform was decorated for
the occasion with wild flowers and bunt-
, ing. In one corner was suspended the
/ Rockford banner of the Patrons of In
! dustry. In another corner was hung a
/ motto which read, "Plow-holders, not
| bond holders. to make laws for farm
| ers." An immense crowd gathered to
! hear the speeches. c. A. Carlysle, su-
| pervisor of CORTLAND, was made chair
man, and Rev. W. L. Wilcox opened
| the meeting by prayer. A. 5. Part
| ridge, Of Flushing, Grand President Of
, the Patrons OF Industry and Prohlbl-
ton nominee for Governor of Michigan
was then introduced. lie Is a patri-
archal looking Old gentleman, with sl-
vered white hair and whiskers. AS ne
stepped forward he was greeted with
much applause. He spoke at
some length on the political
situation of the day. He also
gave an illustration of the relative
I position Of the farmer and merchant of
, the present day. He said that there
were about 800 travelling saiesmcn IN
tie States, whom the merchants sent
( III MI directions drumming up trade.
The cost of hiring and paying the
expenses of these men amounts to
about 81, ,000,0 I year, and Mr.. Part
ridge said this money was taken indi-
rcctiy from the farmer, and IN cOnsc-
| quence great reform was needed IN
| the method of doing business. He
| also spoke on the temperance Qucs-
| ton and the curse of the liquor traffic.
/ He said the prOhlbitiOnlsts and farmers
were as unit when it came to this
all-important subject. lie also attack od
! AllG pltctiib 1DtACQ tDtdbsS EOfEllllitcUI
| and the treasury, IN which are vaulted
millions of dollars. lie said that this
money should be loaned to the farmer
at from one to three per cent. interest,
so that they could pay up the mort
J cages on their property. He spoke
7 oil the exhOrbitaut rates OF interest
now being charged, especially when SO
much OK the peoples money lay idle,
and actually rottlng for want OF pure
air.
W. D. Fuller, formerly Of Newaygo,
but nOw OF Grand Rapids, sad ne was
belonged to no political creed. The
/ party tOwh.ch he once avOwed allegiance
had got INTO disgrace and hereafter be
; desired to nave nothing to 90 with 1t.
I tie SAID that he was q lawyer and was
( therefore In favor of greehbacks and
+ he believed IN the doctrines OF the
/ Grecnback party. He is, however. Il
friends 10 the Patrons and he thinks
J tnev are on the right course 10 where
victory lies. lie SAID h.s services would
( be at Their command if needed. lie
: concluded 10y saying, There was time
wbCn women We're slaves and men were
tler masters, but thank God that time
has passed away. ann glad 20 sec You
+ rc-osnIze women inyOus organization.