Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1896-12-11

state Grange The twenty sixth an.
nual meeting of the Maryland State Grange
held its opening session in Baltimore on
Tuesday last. Mr.. j. B. Ager, Of Prince
Georges county, worthy overseer, presided
in the absence OF the worthy master, Mr..
H, o Devres, of Howard county. Nearly
fifty delegates are attending the meeting.
During the day the principal business
consisted of the reading of the annual re.
ports of the officers and statements concern.
ing local oranges. The address of the worthy
master dwelt upon the more effective organ.
ization of farmers, comparisons being made
OF the advances made in other States and
the apathy shown in Maryland, although
the times and conditions of the farmers
business demanded combination and coop,
Grafton.
The report further stated that in the
Northern and Western States the order was
growing rapidly, while in this State it seem.
ed inclined to languish.
Regret was expressed for lack of sympa-
thy between the Agricultural Department.
as at present managed, and those most bene-
flied by the work of such an institution
properly conducted. The hope was ex.
pressed that under the incoming admins
tration genuine farmer would be made
Secretary of Agriculture.
The secretary and treasurer reported that
the grange in Maryland was at standstill
so far as numbers was concerned, and that
the receipts were about equal to former
years, there being on hand in the treasury
balance of about $925.
1t was reported that the Maryland Grange
Agency, established in Baltimore and in
which the order is interested, had been
financially and otherwise successful.
The early session on Wednesday was oc-
cupied with the appointment Of various
committees and the reference to them of
business coming from subordinate branches.
Resolutions were adopted directing the
master and secretary to recommend to Pres
ident elect Mckinley, on behalf of the
grange, the appointment of Col. Brigham, of
Ohio, master of the National Grange, as
Secretary of Agriculture.
at is full time" said one delegate, "that
the necessity be realized of appointing at
the head of this department one who is in
terested in the development of agriculture
and is in sympathy with the needs of the
farmer. Within the past few years the Ag
ricultural Department has not accomplished
the object of its creation and has contrib.
uted but little to the advancement of farm
ing"
Other resolutions were adopted requesting
the co operation of the National Grange to
build up the order in this State, where it is
declining. Regret at the absence of the
master, Mr.. Henry o. Devries, of Howard
county, who was unable to attend owing TO
illness, was expressed in resolutions.
Hfessrs. Richard Vincent, Jr., of White
Marsh, and Sam Brooke, of Lothian, were
reelected members of the executive board
to serve three years. Mr.. aul Mrs. Henry
M. Murray, OF Cumbersome, were elected
members of the committee on the agricul-
tural experiment station, conducted at the
State Agricultural College.
Among the officers of the State Grange
are the following from this county: G. j.
Burdette, chaplain; W. E. Brown, gate
keeper; Asa NJ. Stabler, member of execu.
tive committee.