Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-12-16
OPENING SESSIONS.
1wenty-Third Annual Meeting
Of Maine State Grange.
Largest Attendance on Record RE.
ports Of the Officers.
The Order Never Before 50 LARGE and Pros
porous in Maine.

Yes, 1t is the largest meeting in the
history OF the Maine State grange"
says Worthy Master Wiggin. and he
knows.
Not only is it the largest, there be-
ing over 500 delegates present from all
sections Of Maine, but it is proving
remarkably successful and unique in
several otherrespects. After the rousing
public welcome given on Monday eve
ming thepatrons of husbandry in Maine
can have no doubt of the hospitality
OF Augusta, or of the high esteem in
which its citizens hold this great ma
tional order. And after witnessing
such an enthusiastic gathering of
Maine men and women, representa-
tives of the bone and snew of the
Pine Tree State. earnest in purpose,
intellectual and refined in bearing. Au
gusta may well be proud to have the
privilege of entertaining the State
grange.
We never met in SO pretty a hall
before. said Lecturer Stetson, and
never before has our meeting place
been so deliberately decorated" And
all join him in praising the committee
Of the local grange and the citizens of
Augusta generally for the perfection
of the arrangements
The hotels We're crowded yesterday
many new delegates arriving who
were not at the reception the previous
evening. and everywhere on the streets
were to be seen the badges and colors
of the patrons. Most of the officers
are at the Augusta house The
weather is proving perfect, an element
that does much 10 increase the atten-
dance Many of the neighboring
oranges are here in force. the members
driving in for the day.
Early Tuesday forenoon the patrons
and matrons began streaming across
the bridge, and City hall and the ante
converse. long before the opening hour.
Gate keeper j. j. Carr of Dover wear
ing his green and gold sash over his
heavy fur coat and bearing staff
with an owl upon its top, stood at the
head of the second flight of stairs and
only the elect were allowed to pass
Beyond him stood Steward r. n Lib
by of Newport. at the door of the
main hall, and here there were more
whispered passwords. so that there
was no danger of any persons but
grangers in good standing getting into
the sessions. All the sessions of the
State grange are secret, the work all
being done in the fourth degree of the
order. and publications can he given
to only such matter as the officers give
out.
AT 10 a. NJ. there were over 500 men,
bers in the hall. masters and wives or
delegates from the subordinate oranges
representing over 10000 members in
Maine and all was ready for business.
About $50 oranges have in all been es-
tahlished in Maine, and of these about
$50 are now active. most all of them
being represented here. When Master
Wiggin raped the meeting to order
all the State officers were in their
places. The present State officers were
elected at Bangor last year and hold
over two years.
The gavel used by Worthy Master
Wiggin is made of wood grown on the |
washington estate at Mt. Vernon and
was procured by Mr.. Wiggin while at |
the recent meeting Of the national |
grange at Washington. He declares |
II is part OF the famous cherry tree |
which the father of his country cut |
down. /