Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-12-17


The speaker congratulated the men,
beers of the State Grange on the pro-
pitiousness of this, It's nth annual meet
ing. This also Is the 25th anniversary, or
silver wedding of the National Grange.
Mr.. Higgins then went on to recount
what the grange has accomplished for
the farming community. Among the
more important are
1t has prevented tho renewal of patents
on sewing machines thus saving to the
people 90 per cent of their cost, which
amounts to millions annually.
transportation companies were taught
that the creator is greater than the creature
see Granger cases decided by Supreme
Court of United States.
Had passed, and have enforced oleomar-
garine law.
Have passed laws somewhat restricting
Alien landlords and corporations from get
ting government land.
Had interstate commerce law passed.
Had cabinet position created for agricul-
ture, thus giving the Presidents cabinet a
representative of the parent Of all voca-
tons.
Has had agricultural colleges. expert
meut stations and farms, and farmers in
sttutes established in many states of the
Union.
Has caused the reform ballet law to be
passed In many states.
has increased state appropriations for
public schools
Has. at all times fostered the ca,ise of
free education
Local achievements, such as building
mans, making roads, planting trees and
vines, establishing libraries. reading rooms
nhhks, llre insurance companies co-Opera-
i've enterprises, trade card systems. &c.
cited.
The speaker paid u tribute to the
nearly hospitality experienced from
the hosts at the recent National Grange
meeting at Springfield, Ohio. The Ma
tlonal Grange has reatlirmed the abso-
lutte political and religious freedom of
Its members. The individual member
Is under no obligation to sink his per-
sonai views on economic questions such
as tarlif, finance, &C., when by ma
Jority vote the National Grange NAV
nave endorsed such measure. This
sound doctrine was reaflirmed at the
recent National Grange session. and
there need be no further anxiety ON the
question.
:. Efforts will be continued IN the effort
40 secure generally loans for farmers at
per cent rate. II Is considered that
landed property should, if the title be
perfectly sound, stand on an equal
pasls with government loans that pay
only . per cent.
WORK IN DELAWARE.
The National Grange directed its
executive committee to stand behind the
State Grange of Delaware in case our
Interstate Commerce railroad suit is re-
opened. And for this we will ever be
thankful.
THE CHANGERS SUIT.
our suit before the commission. rs
you know, was decided in our favor. II
was shown that the railroad company
awaited Itself of its monopolistic priyi-
leges and was charging tile farmers of
the Peninsula more than was lust and
fair.
Our railroad expenses, traffic, &c,
were fast sweeping us to bankruptcy
and with all our advantages the market
expenses were more than we could hear
The artificial conditions forbad success
and they still do. The commission. on
accounto of the inherent unreasonablcness
OF the then existing railroad rates ordered
PRODUCTION f20 per cent on peaches and
70 per cent on apples and vegetables.
Inc rate was not to be more than iOper
cent higher on the branches than at thc
junction points.
Even with this reduction the rates on
some of these commodities WILDE much
higher than the Norfolk rates, where
low rates exist on account of water
competition at that point.
The evidence indicates quite concln-
siyely that the present difference be.
tween the Norfolk and Peninsula rates
IS operating very iniuriously to the
Peninsula farmers. 1t il tile court tAat
brings the charge of over-ratinr ono
dollar out Of every four or five, and the
further injury of building up dcstnc.
tive competitions from less favored and
more distant regions.
1t was the belief Of your committee
that the railroad company would Obey
the order Of the commission. The casr
was decided at the time because tho
season Of the transportation of thosc
perishable articles was at hand and II
was deemed right and hest 10 issue AN
order pending the cause, The commits
sion hoped earnestly that its ordri
would end the controversy. But the u
and 70 per cent reductions do not fullN
measure the oyercharge Of the railroaS
company. BY invoking the laws dcla,
and through other incidents favorable L
them the railroad company officials Sc
cured the vast peach crop OF 1891 ut Id
old rates, and they still charge them OF
everything.
Notwithstanding the excellent pas
senger service of the Delaware railr6a,
system it may be doubted /
the company has many unpuchase
friends among the people whodcpen
upon il as their common carrier
The New York Central, us eontraste
with our iccal state service, can w il
charter charge but two cents per mil
per passenger. Its freight service
not excessive. There is no controyars
there between railroad and peopl,
Delaware has, by her constitute
greater control OF her charters throue
the clearly defined power of her Legi,
lature than almost any other state. A
we cannot move our farms or ourselyt
over to the New York Central. may "
not bring New York methods ID Deli
Delaware? In Austra.llungary In
railways make profit on passcngt
rate of mills per passenger pcr mil,
A thousand-mile ride for $3.50 instea
of $20 Workmen travel six miles ID
2 cents, 8 cents for 1s miles, 10 cents fc
30 miles. IL ia regular thing in Nenn
10 sell 100000 tickets on a holiday
people who wish to go into the countr
TO spend the day. Professor James VII
leotured 10 tho New Castle Count
Farmers Institute, said that railwa
managers must apply to their busine
the principles Of small profits and quic
sales.
ON TAXATION.
In Delaware we now have COMM