The record-union., 1896-04-23
ENTERPRISE GRANGE MEETS.
Iany Other Gransers and Farmers
Also Present.
They Discuss Chicken Pie and OtheI
Dainties, and Then Questions
of the Day.

Despite the threatening clouds that
sailed around the horizon and through
the blue ether overhead yesterday
morning, teams might be seen coming
over the country roads. from all dlrec-
tons. their common destination being
Enterprise Hall, near Walsh's Station,
On the Jackson road.
They gathered in until the inclosure
around the hall was well filled with
teams, and fully 200 people had arrived.
t was the annual gathering OF Gran
gers from different parts of the county
O. that place, a custom that has been
kept up almost from the establishment
cf the first grange in this county, and is
always a thoroughly enjoyable reunion.
although smaller in numbers than the
Crangers' picnic.
The morning was consumed in q
closed session of the grange, the princi-
Ial interest of which centered in a spir-
led discussion between Thomas Nc
Conneu and eX-Supervisor Erskine
Greer on the good roads question, Mr..
Mcconnell championing the cause of
nacadam roads.
After the closing of the grange, the
assembly adjourned to the floor below,
where four long tables were groaning
beneath the weight of delicious viands,
prepared by the ladies of the grange.
and right here it may not be amiss to
say that anyone who doubts the skill in
cuisine Of the farmers wives in that
vicinity and talks of the delights of a
Trench dinner would have become an
Immediate convert at the first taste OF
the fiaky, delicious chicken pie and
other delicacies with which those ta-
bles We're covered. Nor were large, ripe,
delicious strawberries wanting in abun-
oance to crown the feast. The way
those viands melted from view when the
onslaught was made on them was as
t0nishing. but when all had satisfied
their utmost appetites. there still re-
manned an abundance untouched.
After dinner the people returned to the
grange room, and the afternoon was de-
voted to addresses and remarks by vari-
Gus members upon the topics of the day.
Joseph Holmes, Worthy Master, said
that the State Grange had instituted a
series of meetings, at which matters OF
interest to the grange might be dis
cussed, and it was thought best that on
this occasion such questions should be
taken up.
A GRANGE TALK.
w. l.. Beecher, Worthy Overseer of
the State Grange, was called on to speak
first He said that he had few words
to address 10 those outside the Grange,
well as in it. He proposed to give
them a Grange talk-to tell them what
the Grange had done, what it was try
iTg 10 do, and what it wished to do. He
fit that he owed the Grange a great
debt and was willing to talk for it.
Members undoubtedly know a great
al about the declaration of purposes,
bat how many practiced them They
come together and have a good time
and a splendid dinner, as they had to-
day and then go home and remember
nothing but that. If they disagree with
Y hat someone else has said they say
Well, he is a crank. He is little off"
They should weigh honestly what they
hear from those who honestly differ
from them and who have also a right
to their opinions.
They are supposed to buy in the
cheapest market and sell in the dear
est, but do they do it? He had seen
some talk of a free market where the
producer and the consumer could be
brought into contact and eliminate the
This is step in the right direction He
believed that if the members would
stand together the city authorities
would give them what they asked. If
the members of the Grange would carry
OFT that principle they would not do as
Trey do now-send their produce to the
commission men. There are doubt
less honest commission men in San
Francisco, but there are many who are
not.
He related some Of his experience with
mnlission men in San Francisco and
presumed that others had been SINH
i rly treated. The declaration Of prin-
c pies practically says that business
p rosperity is the key to happiness. How
Il any homes are there among farmers
that are happy through prosperity? If
one man is successful, emulate his ex-
nple and strive to do like he does, but
q not envy him.
CHANGERS IN POLITICS.
There is not one of us, said the
S Sneaker. that would not be willing to
ccept a county office, because it pays
n good salary. 1t gives him living
ald something more. That is what he
as been trying to make on his farm.
and perhaps has been unable to do so.
ut as soon as he comes up for office
% jumps some man. perhaps a brother
O. his Grange and a neighbor, and
says, we must sit down on him; he
Jes not belong TO our party" He had
seen this more than once and had even
perhaps done something of the sort
mself This is all wrong.
The Grange is Of great value in edu-
cating its members. outside of its so
cal features. No man or woman ever
belonged to the Grange without being
made better by it. 1t makes both men
and women better educated by helping
and encouraging them to express their
iaeas. \ young man or an old one who
has PASSED year in the Masters chair
las learned TO call meeting to order
end preside over 1T and has learned
through that practice a valuable lesson
other ways
One of the brothers who spoke during
the morning meeting said that the Of
fee should seek the man and not the