Evening star., 1896-11-11

G. Smith: pomona. Mrs. S. G. Baird: nora,
Mrs. E. L. A. Wiggin: stewardess. Mrs. Geo.
B. Horton, pro tenn; executive committee.
Leonard Rhone. chairman; ]. ]. woodman,
secretary; n. ]. Batchelder and ]. H.
Brigham, ex-officio.
The members present were: California,
Mr.. and Mrs. w. w. Grier; Colorado, Mr..
and Mrs. ]. A. Newcomb; Connecticut, Mr..
and Mrs. o D. Bowen; Delaware, Mr. and Mrs
s. H. Mersick: Illinois, Mr.. and Mrs. o.
Wilson; Indiana, Mr. and Mrs. Aarsen
Jones; Iowa, Mr. and Mrs. A. b. Judson
Kansas. Mr.. and Mrs. A. P. Reardon;
land. Mr.. and Mrs. H. o. Devries; Michi-
gan. Mr.. and Mrs. Geo. B. Horton; Min
nesota, Geo. w. Baird and Mrs. Sarah G.
Baird: Mississippi. S. L. Wilson and Mrs.
Wilson; New Hampshire n. j. Bachelor;
New Jersey, Mr.. and Mrs. John T. Cox !;
New York. Mr.. and Mrs. C. H. Hule; Ohio.
Mr.. and Mrs. T. R. Smith; Oregon, Mr.. and
L. Rhone; Rhode Island, Thos. G. Hazard:
South Carolina, Mr.. and Mrs. w. X.
Thompson; Vermont, Mr.. and Mrs. G. j.
Bell. Virginia, Mr.. and Mrs. Alex. ]. We'd
High; West Virginia. C. H. Knott; Wiscon-
sin. Mr.. and Mrs. H. E. Huxley.
Jubel Robinson of Middle Marsh. On
tario. is present as fraternal delegate from
master Virginia State Grange, is also in
attendance, as are DIR. G. A. and Mrs.
Bowen of Connecticut.
An excursion IS en- route from New Eng
land, which is expected to arrive this even
Ing. The worthy lecturer. Alpha Merser, is
with the party. After the grange opened
a short recess was taken to admit visiting
members of the lower degrees, after which
the master introduced DR.. Trimble, secre-
tary Of the National Grange and one Of
the founders, who, in brief address, re-
viewed many of the former sessions of
the grange. He was frequently interrupted
o1I, InI 10
Washington as the home of the order. He
then introduced Mr.. VIM. Saunders, first
master of the National Grange. who spoke
in part as follows:
Mr. Saunders' Address.
TIE remaining few of us who were asso-
ciated with the Introduction and early his
tory of the order still cling to the idea,
which was always strongly advocated by
all of the earlier members Of the National
Grange, that its permanent habitation
should be at the capital of the nation.
lave been an advocate of this measure for
thirty years, and now allude to it because
the subject has recently been considered
by some members of the order, and because
of my convictions that thereby the prestige
of strength and stability would be obtained.
and that it would preserve the harmony of
the organization of the order as implied
in its divisions of subordinate state and
national jurisdictions.
Il believe that the welfare of any sys-
tematic organization greatly depends upon
the thoroughness with which its funda-
mental designs are adhered to, and it's pro-
Gained principles of actions are enforced
Having suitable structure located in this
city, with offices for the transaction of
business, halls for the meeting of the or
der, whence all communications would be
disseminated over the entire length and
breadth of the organization, 1T would soon
become factor of great significance and
value to the order
This would also provide for the proper
preserI alton and arrangement of the ar
chiveS of the Institution, a matter which
has already been too long neglected. Not
only could all papers connected with the
proceedings of the National Grange be pre-
served and arranged for ready reference.
but the proceedings of all state oranges, as
far as practicable, could be filed for the
use of members. Indeed. all grange papers
and all grange lterature worthy of recOg-
milton could be collected and preserved, all
of which will increase in value and inter-
est as the years roll on. and the order has
become nationally recognized as an en-
durable power for good throughout the
land.
while 1t Is essential that grange meet
ings should be sociable and pleasant oc-
casions vet this Is not the sum total of
their mission; men and women who are
earnest In their undertakings will not long
be. satisfied by the mere enjoyment of a
pleasant hour at these meetings; they crave
for more substantial mental food. something
that will promote their intelligence and in
crease their knowledge and information
upon subjects of specific value relative to
affairs of life. their standing as citizens and
their relation to all sorts and conditions of
Industries What wide range of topics for
consideration does this subject of practical
agriculture embrace There Is no branch
of knowledge but will be of benefit to the
agriculturist. may be productive of sug-
gestions applicable to some one or other of
his varied pursuits.
.'ft is incumbent that oranges should con-
slider matters pertaining to general eco
nc mics: surely there cannot be any class
of questions of more Importance to agri-
culturists than those which result from
governmental action, especially those
which refer to the welfare of the industrial
classes of society, and which every one
who realizes the full Importance of citizen
ship should consider 1t as his bounden duty
to deliberately discuss, and to have the
courage to enforce his convictions to the
best of his abilities and opportunities even
should it lead to the invasion of Iegisla-
tive halb or to changing the complexion
of Legislative bodies. The grange is of no
political party. but 1t is within its province
to speak out boldly and distinctly on all
Of fol