The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1896-12-16
The Grange in Session.

The Vermont State Grange held its
twenty. fifth annual meeting in Burlington
last week. Mayor Peck made an address
of welcome to which the State Master, Hon.
9. j. Bell, replied. He said that the grange
came to Burlington twenty-one years ago
having a voting membership OF 400 strong.
The reason why the members are not 80
numerous now is that many joined the or
der with the idea OF achieving wealth or
political preferment, and not finding these
made felicitous address, expressing his
pleasure that the organization had not
proved to be the bugbear he at first re-
garded it. He had understood that the
Grange was going to be aggressive; that the
farmers as class would be arrayed
against the rest of US. He expressed his
liking for the managers because "you stand
for education, and 1 think you live up to
your motto. / like you also because you
are trying to get into the home life OF the
farm more Of the social element. In former
times the life of the farmer was by no
means solitary one, with its husking bees,
ETC., but now 1 am afraid it is more OF
solitary one. / am delighted to see that as
far as possible you are trying TO introduce
more Of this social element and because
there has not been this social element is the
reason 80 many young people have left the
farm. give you a hearty welcome to the
college and invite you to make careful
inspection OF all its departments"
Special deputy, A. b. Galusha, followed
President Buckham, expressing his readi-
ness to meet the latter on any platform in
any physical contest, but humbly bowling to
him in intellectual contention. The pur-
pose of the Grange was to build its members
into higher manhood. Education is their
watchword, self-impro vement their purpose.
Mrs. G. H. Smith read an entertaining pa
per on "The Ideal Home" Alpha Messer
Of Rochester, for many years Master OF the
State Grange and now Lecturer OF the Ma
tional Grange, spoke of the changes in the
twenty-one years that had elapsed since the
Grange last met in Burlington. The saloon
fiourished then and the grangers were stig-
matized because they were not buying
drinks. Education is the firm foundation
of the Order. The farmer is now better ed
ucated and is doing his own thinking. The
business man and the farmer by contact are
mutually benefited. He disapproved of
cooperative farming. He spoke Of the re-
Washington, and declared that it is the
work Of the Order to give the farming pop
ulation more exalted ideas Of the duties and
responsibilities OF American citizenship.
Mason S. Stone, State Superintendent OF
Education, in concluding the speaking,
pleaded for the establishing of a State
school fund and for expert school supervi-
| sion by combination of towns. The child
rem are educated for the State and 1t is the
duty OF the State to take part In their edu-
| cation.
Secretary Howe reported that two subor-
dinate Oranges had been organized since
the last meeting; one at Richmond, with
twenty-five charter members, and one al
Newport, the Memphremsgog Grange, with
five members. The tIeasurer's report
showed balancel:of 1888. on hand Reso
lutions OF the following tenor were adopted
az Recommending Col. j. II. Brigham Of
Ohio as Secretary OF Agriculture in the next
administration; (2) favoring the strict en-
forcement OF laws to prevent aduteration
OF food and favoring the enactment of Law
by Congress compelling makers OF shoddy
fabrics to stamp the same az "shoddy
goods ~; (3) approving the course of the
State Cattle Commissioner in the execution
of the tuberculosis law: az favoring re
trenchment in public expenses and econ
omy in the administration OF public affairs
10y regretting the disinclination or neglect
Of the Legislature to grapple with the sub
ject Of double taxation" (6 commencing
Governor Grout for his efforts to induce tn,
Legislature to give some consideration tt
double taxation and deplorlng the refusal o
the House to authorize the appointment o
a commissioner to investigate the subject.
The names OF the officers elected will b,
found in the State news column on page 2.