Evening star., 1896-11-12
OF INTEREST TO FARMERS.

Annual Address of the Worthy Master
of the National Grange.
At 2:30 the grange met, and the after
noon session was opened with song by the
| choir The grange was declared in open
session, and the worthy master delivered
his annual address.
In the course of his address Col. Brig
ham touched upon a number Of subjects of
interest to the American farmer In part
he said:
1.-THE people seem to have decided in IA
vor Of adequate protection to American in
| dustries. We can, therefore, without re-
gard to our own personal views. consistent
ly demand for agriculture the full measure
of protection accorded to other industries
and we should accept nothing less.
I'VE Should labor to equaliZe and fairly
distribute the burden of taxation. The far
mer is bearing far more than his proportion
of the cost of maintaining local self gov
ernment, and will obtain no relief except
through his own well-directed efforts. We
should discuss thoroughly every PROPOSE
ticn suggesting a remedy. We cannot af-
ford to make a mistake and try remedies
that will be far worse than the ills which
we now endure.
Occasionally we find farmer who has
become convert to the theory of those
who advocate tax solely upon land values
| to defray all the expense OF government: ::
but the masses of farmers will be slow to
| accept this theory, and shall not consume
| valuable time in discussing it.
"Other theories are advocated, but Il
close scrutiny of the same will generally
| show that the burden of the farmer Is rot
| likely to be lightened by their adoption.
I'VE can obtain some relief by enforcing
| rigid economy in all departments of gov
ways careful in the matter of eXpending
the public money. There is room for radi-
cal reforms here and the farmers can lie
a great factor In bringing them about.
Dn1 oipfa oh oil
careful pruning of private expenses. The
| farmers have as good a right to enjoy the
good things of earth as any one. but they
must make expenses correspond to the re-
ceipts, or trouble will be sure to follow.
The Department of Agriculture.
"The farmers labored long and earnestly
to secure the elevation of the Department
of Agriculture They were inspired with
the hope that with representative of ag-
riculture in the cabinet this great industry.
upon which all are so dependent, would
receive the attention which it's Importance
demands at the hands of the chief execu-
tive.
'They also believed that this department.
with ample means at its command, could
give much important Information to the
farmers Of the United States. Information
that would be not only valuable. but per-
fectly reliable.
"The farmer should be the first to know
actual crop conditions. not only In this
country, but in the world, as without this
knowledge they are liable to incur great
losses in marketing their crops. The de-
partment should be in close touch with
the farmers. Should invite suggestions and
give patient and careful attention to the
same. There are many men upon the
farms of the United States who are good
thinkers and careful observers. The de-
partment needs the help Of all of them.
but their confidence must be secured be-
fore they will venture to offer suggestions.
1.-The department should take lively in
terest in every organized effort to uplift