Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-12-17
Report Of Executive Committee.

IN accord with the usage5 of the State
grange, the executive committee pre-
sent their annual report:
AT the annual meeting OF the State
grange at Bangor. the executive com
mittee organized in the selection of L. a.
Gilbert as chairman, ana Anscl Holway
as secretary.
The address of the worthy master TO
which yon have just listened, and the
report of the secretary. give the progress
made in grange work during the year
and the standing of the order in our
State at the present time. In this work
the executive committee are fully aware
that the subordinate oranges in their
several capacities, are chiefly entitled to
credit as they ever must be. for the
activity manifested and the resulting adj
vance made during the year. The prin-
cipal duties laid upon us have been
largely Of q routine nature.
The work of the subordinate oranges
has been in the main Harmonious. as
Only one case of discipline has been re
ported during the year.
There are still weak places in the State
where the principles of our order are not
advancing as they should. and the work
that the grange is organized to carry on
needs nursing, strengthening and vitnliz-
ing that it may bring to the brotherhood
of farmers the benefits the grange is de
signed to confer. There are still those
among us who need to be taught that an
organization can only assist those who
try to help themselves Your committee
hold the view that it is the duty Of the
State grange to put forth its choicest eff
forts in building up and strengthening
the weak places--encouraging ami lead
ing on those who are lingering by the
way, and from lack of strength and lack
of numbers find the task a heavy one of
bringing the order into that active influ-
ence necessary to its lasting effects
among them. These views. however
have not received the support needed to
put them into active effect. and as Il CON
sequence. and unfortunately. your COM
col 10 nj 10 l. ind h.,.
done.
At Il meeting of the executive commit
tee held in January, the matter of CO.
operation in the purchase of commercial
fertilizers was brought up for consdera-
ton. 1t was the expressed opinion of the
committee that the previous efforts of
the State grange in this direction had so
prepared the way for cooperative buy
ing that the State grange should no long
er be put to expense, nor should the
members OF the executive committee in
their individual capacity become flnan-
cially responsible in the transaction, as
they before had been obliged to in order
that purchases might be made at reduced
cost Previous efforts had shown to
manufacturers of fertilizers that among
the members of the order was chance
for large cash-down trade. and had
also shown to members of the grange
that by cooperation and with ready
money fertilizers could be bought at
prices substantially lower than going re-
tail rates. Now. it was claimed, the way
having tie goods for sale and the farm
ers wishing to purchase should come to-
gether. and do their trading without cost
TO the State grange. Ihe committee let
ehould be encouraged If any manufac
turers wished TO avail themselves of the
opportunity they conId come in ana DO
with this plan in view Worthy Secre-
tarv libby was directed to correspond
with manufacturers and learn what. UNI
der such conditions, couid be done, As Il
result the Cleveland Dryer Company
took ADVANTAGE Of the situation ana
made a proposition as to what theS
could do Their proposition was sub
nritted to a meeting OF the committee
and it was voted to accept their proposi-
tion. Also It was further voted that
Brother F. II. Libby be a committee to
conclude arrangements WIN We Vo CON-.
rnttted by them. This arrangement re-
Iieyed the State grange and ~ executive
committee of all responsibility ana az
labor connected with the business ii,a
,-as satisfactory to all parties concerned
Itpder this ARRANGEMENT the company
sid a large quantity of their iertllizers,
has i>een able to learn. these goods
,lrn,,ad satisfactory to purchasers, InlS
The businesS was no tax Whatever on lll,
state grange. and its ofilcers cartleu no
responsibilities ,uoel Of Of the order.
Uara is where it has been put TO a tan
r;i,le n,,rnose. The way is rtlll open loi
s 70 he continued. ard the more eAteh-
siye the purchases the SiS'ie' ''' WV
4ountS that can be Securtu. . -, =.
At a meeting of the conIi.h'.ee t ~, co., ~
Anrjl il was decided to Secnio the SCI
vices of the national master, nv. d. IL. II.
brigham of Ohio. for a series OK ~
dresses in. connection with the neiu M, ~
inps 10 be held at several points III ~, Nv
Stste during the month of August tif~
were such as 10 ldEor va,
carrviug out of the plan at smau co''
for tbp service rendered.
Yn,r committee hold that in aifansltis
vorlS of this kind--and indeed al Srai'ee
,.orL whether superior or SUBORDINATE
IT,, should be a well defined oblec. IN
law toward which the efforts pun torii
.ho',,d nlaiuIy point. That object shouiI
;,n,,,aa some feature of that for Whicn
~, NJ n,.,ie, was brought into existence as
rnn,d Mainly laid down i'll our decia'd
.;nii nurposes. For those who have
a1,r,.,oo,,ad the foundation principles OF
orr order i repeat: ,,. .o,o.bor
I'VE mutually resolve to work toge.her
for the good of our order. our country
at i'ris not enough in this work OF ne
grange 10 kind er let the thihg run ~.
eaif as the worthy masters story ii ~
- n needs to be planned SNAPPED. ui
rectcd worked for purpose; IL Is WI, VII,
Ie@u, ,,,eetinCs are for; 1t Is or Shoui9
= =, To mainly defined purpose OF ilela
nc .inrs and all public gatherings uii-
ne ,,qe directions. 1t is through TINS
feat.,re alone that we eaten the p up',