The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-11-17
PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY
Annual Session Of the National
Grange at Concord.
MASTER BRlGHAM'S ADDRESS,
strong Positions Taken Against the En-
croachment of Members Of Labor Or
ganizations That do Not Respect the
Rights of Employers and Others.

CONCORD, n. IL, Nov. 17.-The Goth an
nual convention of the National Grange,
Patrons of Husbandry, was opened at
IL o'clock yesterday in Representatives
Hall, state house. AIucr the premiums
ries OF organization, Master j. ii. Brigham
of the National Grange delivered his an
nuai address.
In his address Mr.. Brigham said the d.
nancial standing of the National Grange
is good The funds are safely invested
and "we pay as we 60" The reports from
state oranges show increasing numerical
strength, activity in every good work, and
a careful observance OF the principles OF
an order, the permanency OF which ~ no
longer questioned. Numerous reforms
have already been accomplished by the
order, but efforts for further needed legis-
lation in the interest OF farmers must be
kept up. Thorough organization and CO
opernt ION agriculture can be protected
and promoted. "If commerce and trade
exact too much for the service rendered,
we can successfully resist such exactions.
IL agriculture is unequslly taxed we can
enforce equality, III officials are careless
or extravagant in managing the affairs OF
government, we can retire them andmake
better selections. The people must re-
sumo the control of the government ana
fully protect in all their rights the toillng
millions whose labor produces the wealth
OF the nation"
The address says the adulteration OF
food should be suppressed and iedoubled
efforts should be made TO pass the anti
option bill, which failed to pass at the
last session of congress and which is OF SO
much Importance to agriculture. The
free delivery of mail to the rural popula-
tion is again earnestly demanded, since it
need not be expensive, and "nothing that
can be done will accomplish imore in the
way Of enlightening our people and make
them contented to remain in their coun-
try homes"
On the subject of capital and labor the
address says:
believing as we do that the 'laborer is
worthy of his hire and that steady en-
ployment, at fair wages, is OF vital lmpor-
lance, not only to the laborer and his fam
ily but to all OF our people, we deprecate
all disposition on the part OF greedy cor
porations 10 reduce the pay of workmen
except when declining prices make it alb
solutely necessary in order TO avoid serious
loss.
"We believe that employers can b tel
afford to accept losses which result ' I'm
temporary causes than TO provoke con-
fict with the men whose labor in former
years brought great profit to the employ,
err We have no sympathy with organized
capital when its power is used TO destroy
| organizations formed to promote the IN
| terests OF workingnen. The right tc
| combine for mutual advantage is as sacred
| to employe as to employer.
"We seriously regret, however, tha'
| members of labor organizations seen
| sometimes inclined to encroach upon n
rights of employers .and of their fell '
| laborers who, for some reasons, do nO
| Join in their organizations. The right tc
| labor for hesupport of self and family il
| something that must not be interfereC
with; and il a laborer in the exercise o.
his rights as citizen declines TO associate
with fellow laborers, those who do unit'
have no right TO interfere with his free
dom to work for whomsoever will giv'
him employment at a price agreed upoI
| by both"
In regard to the tariff and the result Of
the recent election, the address says it is
misfortune that sufficient time was no
given-sufficient time in which to tes
fully the working of a law framed to pro
tect the all American interests. Protec
tion has been advocated in the name o
labor, and the returns indicate that II L
labor employed in manufacturing which
has declared against it. Let the decision
be regarded. Let the cleaver OF free trad
descend upon every protected industry
| and not alone upon agriculture.
Objection is made to the expenditure o
money on experiments for irrigating tn
arid lands OF the West, since there is al
ready more land under cultivation thar
can be farmed with pront.