The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-11-12
SESSIONS OF THE
NATIONAL GRANGE
Thirtieth Annual Meeting in Progress at
Washington.
NUMBER OF DELEGATES PRESENT
Worthy Master J. ii. Brigam Con.
sidcrS Il Number of Pertinent
Topics..lIc Demands That AgricuI.
turc Shall Have II Full Measure Of
PrOtectiOn-.Rcport of the Treas.
ness Transacted.

Washington, No. 1.-THE thirteth
session of the National Grange conven-
ed this morning in the National Hotel,
this city, thirty States being represent
ed by $50 delegates.
At this afternoons session, the an
nual reports Of the several officers
Were read. Worthy Master j. II. Brig
ham briefly considered number of
pertinent topics.
OF agricultural conditions, he said:
The farmer who is receiving fair returns
for his labor and invested captal is
now the exception. There has been no
general failure Of crops, but the prices
received for most of them do not pay
for the labor of production. Such con-
ditions are very discouraging.
1t is well known to all of us that COM
petition in the growth and marketing
Of many of the products ofthe farm is
world wide. Our breadstuffs, meat and
cotton must compete in European mar
kets with like products of all exporting
countries in many of which, land and
labor are much cheaper than in our
country. These competing countries
are rapidly introducing improved ma
chinery and methods of tillage, and
their cheap labor is soon able to handle
machinery and skill. Such conditions
combined with continually improving
facilities for transporting of crops of
these countries to market may we'll
awaken apprehension in the minds of
the American farmers.
We cannot control production, nor
regulate the cost thereof in foreign
countries. There is no profit in selling
in the markets Of the world below the
cost of production. II we cannot COM
pete with the cheaper land and labor
in these markets we can at least con-
troll our own markets and produce near
ly everything needed 70 supply our own
people. Why should we buy sugar,
wool. etc. from other countries when
We can produce them at home
AGRICULTURE SHOULD BE PRO
TECTEp.
The people seem To have decided in
favor of adequate protection to Ameri-
can Industries. We can, therefore.
without regard to our own personal
views, consistently demand for agri-
culture the iull measure Of protection
accorded to other Industries, and we
should accept nothing less. The ad-
dress condemned the single tax theory.
said that good. solid. sensible practi
cal work is needed in the agricultural
department, aud that the department
needs the help of all the farmers. but
that their confidence must be secured
before they VIII venture suggestions.
ana demanded the extension of the free
mail delivery to the rural districts.
Eva Mcdowell, treasurer. reported
receipts during the year S17,565.Il. in
Guiding $2.1iC.23 interest on mortgage,
and $6.591.1O. dues from state grangers
The expenditures We're Sl1,S43.12. of
which S3,2lS.S9 was on account of of
fcers' salaries and expenses OF commit
tee and 50 400 invested
The report of John 1'rimble. secrc-
tary, showed that dispensatiOns had
been issued during the year for new
oranges, 33 in Ohio, which state has
the highest record.
The committee on credentials report
ed the grangrrS of 26 states clear ON
the books of the nationa! grange and
entitled 10 representation.
Jabel Robinson, of the dominion
grange of Canada. was introduced and
made IL few remarks. Adjourned until
tomorrow.