The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1890-09-19

their order IS making heavy drafts
upon the membership Of the Grange.
1t still remains true, however, that the
Grange is doing the most valuable and
systematic work for the yoemanry of
the country, and that its influences,
political and otherwise, has scarcely
dcteriorated.
In politics the Grange has always
been strictly non.partisan, and indeed,
until recently 1t has figured almost as
nou political organization. Latterly,
however, the Grange is doing active
work in seeking to protect agricultural
interests both at Washington and in
State capitals. Its Legislative Com
mittee now consists of j. H. Brigham,
of Delta, Ohio. Master of the National
Grange; JohniTrimble, Secretary of
the National Grange, and Leonard
Rhone, of Pennsylvania, Chairman Of
the Executive Committee. These gen.
tlemen have been at Washington during
the present session of Congress urging
upon the Congressman the adoption Of
snch measures as were advocated at the
session of the National Grange held at
Sacramento last November. The
Grange has taken distinct stand upon
most of the practical issues now before
Congress. Its members demand the
passage Of pending bills to prohibit the
adulteration Of food and other commod.
tiles. They ask for the suppression of
gambling in farm produce; they haye
declared uncompromising war against
trusts and they favor free coinage and
complete reconciliation of silver The
representatives Of the Gran &c at Wash.
ingto have taken an active part in the
hearings upon the pending Tariff Bill
The Grange is neither free trade nor
a tariff organization. 1t demands in
substance that if there is to be tariff
the farmer shall get his full share of
protection.
While the Grange has taken no
official action regarding the snb treasury
plan urged by the Alliance, it may be
said that the older organization does
not support it. Fully three touths Of
the members of the Grange are. how
ever, 10 sympathy with the declaration
of the Alliance In favor of free coinage
Of silver.
!, There is larger proportion Of
women in the membership of the
Grange, Secretary Trimble estimating
their numbers at forty per cent of the
whole. The Grange is still growing
Last year 204 new Oranges were
chartered, while this year the number
up to date is 1868. There are fully
$4,000 members in New England,
where the Alliance has not yet gone.
and there are organizations in every
State and Territory in the Union. The
next annual convention of the Grange
will be at Atlanta in Nov, mbei.
That the Grange has reached point
in politics where it is in a mood to
make demands instead Of offer prayers
is eyinced by the tone Of an address
which it issued to the members of Con
gress two months ago. 1t said:
eff the manufacturers continue the
demand for raw material ESQ caled) the
time is near at hand when the farmers
of the country will give them free raw
material, but at the same time will ex-
act free manufactured produets. The
time to turn down. with impunity, the
agricultural interests of this country
has gone by. Henceforth we shall
, watch as we'll as pray. The quiet
submission to neglect and unfair dis
elimination, which has characterized
the farmers Of the past has given PLACE
: to quiet but firm determination to
f know our rights and in the future to
9 maintain them by every Legitimate
e means within our reach. We are no
longer a mass Of unorganized helpless
/ ness. Dire necessity has forced US to
organize for self preservation. An
t army more numerous than the coubin-
I ed armies of Grant, Sherman, Lee and
johnson is already in the field.
"Some things impracticable and I'M
r reasonable may be demanded. Such
! the chosen representatives of the whole
people must have the courage to deny,
D and trust to time and experience to
| vindicate their action, but that which
is right and proper to demand for the
agriculturist should be granted, not
/; grudsingly. but cheerfully.
ave are pleased to believe that the
veteran farmers organization with ovar