The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1890-09-19
Tbe Farm.
National Grange of Patrons of Hus-
bandry,


country is the National Grange of the
Patrons Of Husbandry. Its primary
objects are essentially non. political,
and most Of is work has been in other
fe.ds-social, educational and CONNER
cial-but the tendency toward political
activity which has rapidly developed
among farmers within a few months is
making itself felt in the Grange. 1t
enjoys the distinction of being the first
secret organization in the country
which admitted women to iull men,
bership.
The history Of the Grange is dem
onstration Of the difficulties which arise
in attempting to make any practical
combination Of farmers. Nominally it
has been ia existence since November,
1867, when seven men met in Wash
ington and organized what they ambi-
tiously termed, "The National Grange
of the Patrons of Husbandry." For
four years their work in organization
throughout the country brought little
or no result. But they met reglarly
under their original title, yielding to
no Encouragement, although at the
third annual session Worthy Master
Saunders delivered his inaugural in the
presence of Secretary Kelley as his
only auditor. The adpress was printed
next day, however, in one or two morn
ing papers, and was distributed
throughout the country. Before the
fifth annual session was held there had
been organized about two hundred
Oranges. In 1872 the Order began tc
boom, and before the close of the year
1,O74 Oranges. scattered over more
than half the States, had been organ
lied.
During the next two years the
Grange had marvellous growth. In
1878, S,66S subordinate Oranges were
organized, and the next year the num-
Der was II OIL. But the growth was
too rapid for stability. With more than
10000 subordinate Oranges averaging
a membership of forty, the Order had
become perhaps the largest in the
country, but it was weak through lack
of organization and discipline. Its
membership had not been properly re-
strcted. Everybody wanted to join
the Grange then-lawyers to get eli
ents, doctors to get patients, merchants
to get customers. A Grange was or
ganized on Broadway, New York, with
a membership Of forty-fve, and repre-
senting perhaps, as many millions
composed of bank presidents, mer-
chants, sewing machine markers, and
Wall street Spectators. The only
member who could lay claim TO having
an interest in agriculture was a mer-
chant who owned hous, aud lot in
the White Mountains, where he usually
spent his summers. A similar Grange
was organized in Boston, and in New
Jersey Grange was formed with q
general of the army as its master, q
stone mason as its secretary, and the
owner Of grain elevator as its chaplain
The rapid growth of the financial
resources of the Order led to foolish
demand that the surplus cesh in its
National Treasury be distributed
among the Subordinate Oranges. More
than 100000 was thus distributed
and the treasury of the Grange
was thus depleted Nevertheless the
Grange did excellent work fol-
its members in two or three grea
emergencies. The grasshopper plague
of the Northwest brought generou,
relief movement from the members O
the Grange in all other parts of tn,
country. The educational work of tn,
Grange was promptly felt everywhere
Postmasters in all the States testified
that the Order had greatly increased
the hulk of the mails, and one said tina
there were thirty newspapers taken a
his office where but one was taken be-
fore the establishment of the Grange
The Executive Committee of the Orde
found themselves able to make liberia
arrangements With manufacturers fo
the supply of all manner Of things t.
members of the Order at substantial
cash discounts. Reapers that were
selling at $275 were reduced to Sl75
threshers at $500 were bought for $500
sewing machines that commanded ST.
and 500, tumbled to $40 and $50
These reduced prices were secured
under the seal of the Grange, and wer,
Issued to members of the Order in con
n