Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-12-18

at the expense Of another.
Should the grange thus succeed in
bringing together the representatives of
the different industries In our State for
fair and businesslike discussions of the
points at issue. it will have accomplished
much toward solving the problem of
equalization of taxation and toward re
moving many of the unjust discrimina-
tions of which farmers are today com
planning
Cooperation.
No general movement for cooperation
has been made during the past year be.
yond the renewal of the contract for fur
nishing fertilizers TO Patrons at reduced
price. Competition in trade has so re-
duced the margin of profit on nearly all
Kind of goods that enter the farmers
nome that these goods can be bought for
cash of established dealers fully as cheap
ly as they could be procured by a grange
agent 1t would seem, however, that a
saving might be made in purchasing farm
machinery, if the large body of the Pat
rons Of the State would consent to an
arrangement with some one or more
establishments from which all such ma
grange insurance we are reaping the ben
eft of cooperation to greater degree than
in any other direction. Both our fire
insurance companies are doing II large
business and arc furnishing safe insurance
to the members of the Order ct a cost
below that of the stock companies l am
satisfied that the business of these com
panies is conducted on the most economi-
Cal basis and that they afford the safest
and cheapest possible insurance to the
Patrons of Maine.
The business of the Mutual Aid Society
has increased considerably during the
past year and this increase indicates that
members of the Order have confidence in
the methods of the society and In its
ability to fulfil all its contracts.
Aside from these general cooperative
institutions, Patrons In different portions
of the State are practicing more or less Of
local co operation with good results
The lesson that farmers must learn,
before cooperation can do its perfect
work, is thas of confidence in one another.
The effect of the old time isolation Of
farm life was to beget a mutual distrust
among farmers. This the grange is fast
removing, but time must be had for its
removal before the best results can be
accomplished along co Cooperative lines
Lecture Work.
The work Of the lecturer department
has hecu well and faithfully performed
during he past year and it is much ID be
regretted that other duties render 1t i'm
possible for the present efficient lecturer
to continue the work. The programmes
issued from this department have bsen
OF great benefit to the subordinate
oranges throughout the state and the list
OF topics will continue to he used for u
long time to come Field meetings were
held in number of the counties during
the summer and autumn and these meet
ings were largely attended and We're pro
ductivc Of good results. No speakers
from out Of the State have been secured
during the pas year. but all the field
meetings were attended by the worthy
State master and worthy state lecturer
and by other members OF the Order who
have had much experience in the lecture
field.
am strongly Of the opinion that il
would be for the good Of the Order to hold
mt least one field meeting in each county
tOe expense 10 De HDFn iOlDtiN ny bne
State and Pom ona oranges. | am con
WINGED that these meetings would awaken
an increased interest in our work in
many localities and would be productive
of much good.
1t would seem also that the evening Of
( grange day at the State fair should he
made the occasion If special public
grange meeting with well prepared
programme which should INCLUDE ~ least
one speaker Of national reputation in our
Order and which SHOULD in every detail be
made meeting worthy of the State
grange of Maine.
The calls upon the state master for
lecture work during the past year have
been numerous and be has endeavoTed to
II spond 10 as great an extent as possible,
yet in State so large as ours it is not
expected that every locality can be visited
in one year. I am of the opinion. how
ever that If the state Of our finances
should warrant 1t, every grange in The
State should be visited at some tine dur
leg the var by some officer Of the Srate
grange.
Deputy Work.
The reports from the several deputies
throughout the State show tina; tor The
most part he ritualistlc work q the order
is receiving due att ntion and that CON
mendabic degree 0f pride ia being taken