Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-09
The Legislative Demands of
the Grange Formulated
in the Speech of
WORTHY MASTER, RH0NE.
He Is Rather N0n-C0mmittal on the
Western Sub Treasury Plan.
BANKER W. Il. DILL Is ARRESTED.
A Jewelry Thief Nabbed in Ohio Claims
10 Be Fitzsimmons.
NEwsY NOTES FROM NEARBY TOWNS

ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO TIE pIsPArcH.l
HARRISBURG, Dec. S.-Four hundred
and fifty delegates attended the first days
session of the State Grange, which was de-
voted to routine business and listening to
the annual address of Worthy Master
Rhone. This evening Governor Pattison
addressed the Grange.
After reviewing the events of the year in
connection with the affairs of the State
Grange, in which he said that the financial
affairs were in flourishing condition, Mr..
Rhone recommended that the surplus funds
be invested in real estate. He also called
attention to the fact that considerable
money was unnecessarily spent in sending
Lecturers through the State. He COM
mended the educational features of the
Grange and said that just so long as the
farmers continue to dominate its affairs will
the respect it has attained be continued.
In speaking Of the legislation needed for
the farmer, he said that one important
factor in the steady declenson of the finan-
cial interests of his class is found in the un-
Just burdens of taxation which has annually
filched millions from them. The Grange
last winter demanded the passage of the
Taggart bill, but it was strangled in the
Senate Other bills were passed, however,
through the efforts of the Grange. There
was tota! gain of 1.766, 600 for the local
government which will reduce the tax on
real estate that amount.
What tn. Farmers Still Contend For.
The deficiency still to be conterded for is
s., 234, 900, and this deficiency, Mr. Rhone
said, the grange was bound to cover. He
characterized the mercantile license tax as a
fraud and disgrace. The capital invested
in mercantile pursuits is estimated at
$500, 600 GOO and only pays tax of S40O, 900;
s2O0,000 of this is expended for advertising
and corrupting public journals. Mercantile
property should be assessed for local pur-
poses the same as real estate.
In relation to the Government loaning
money on real estate he said:
VIII ether il would he well for the Govern
mcnt TO enter upon this policv or not should
be thoroughly discussed, which woulu so
develop the plan as to make it entirely prac
tical, or evolve financial policy that would
give needed and permanent relief. OF one
thing we may be assured, out of fraternal
discussion of the question will come light
and good results. The vast importance OF
agriculture to the general prosperity of the
country demands it should be fostered and
protected, and if possible assist the tiller of
the soil in his present financial struggle.
The interest rates are too high, and instead
of the mortgages decreasing they are on the
increase Lower rates OF interest must be
secured or many reputed owners VIII be
forced into tenantry.
The subject of free mail delivery in the
rural districts, he held that while for years
cities and large towns had had the benefits
from the delivery system the country had
been neglected. Congress should be in
duced to change this state of affairs. The
last Congress, at the requesj of the Poss-
master General. appropriat ID $4,000 to try
the experiment in villages and rural dis
tricts The result. as far as reported, has
proven highly satisfactory. The increase
of business has almost, or altogether, been
equal to the increased expense of the
service.
The Objects of the Grange Order.
If the expense were found to be too great
then the plan of cutting off some of the
postoffices might be tried, at the same time
appointing mail carriers TO cover the
ground. Mr.. Rhone closed by briefly stat
ing the objects of the Grange, which in
cluded:
The maintenance in circulation of the pa
per money of the United States. independ-
ent OF national banks, in sufficient quantity
to prevent contraction; the enforcement of
the national and State oleomargarine laws:
Interstate commerce law and State and
national legislation looking to the control
ofcorporationS: the election of United States
Senators by direct vote of the people:
We demand a reform ballot law: the eleva-
zion Of the Department of Agriculture to a
Cabinet position, which has been realized: q
graduated income tax: prohibition of alien
land ownership: reform in the patent laws:
legislation that would control trusts and
prevent gambling in futures, control of
Inonopolies, lower rates of interest, pure
food. and for the American farmer equality
before all laws: the issue of money direct
from the Government to the people, at a low
rate of interest, with land as the basis of