The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-01-18
THE GRANGE CHARTER.
WHx TINE GOvERNOR RECOMMEND
ED THAT III RE REPEALED.
kays n Was Prostituted TO the Most
Vicious Practices-S standing In
Other Peoples Old shoes.

The action OF tho state Grange Wed
nesday, In their report answering ,he
charges OF Governor OFerrali. IN MS
message TO the General Assembly mas
created considerable comment. Inc spe-
cial committee OF the Grange reported
that in the charges made by the IoVer-
nor, his Exccllency was mislnIorheu III
regard 10 the work OF the Grange camp
Association.
Governor o'Forral in his message rec
commended that the charter of the Asso-
citation be repealed on account OF us
having been prostitutcd TO the most
vicious and Illegal practices. The spc-
cial committee and Worthy Master We'd
derburn. Of the State Grange Assocla-
tion, placed considerable stress on the
statement. made by the Governor, that
for several years or more there were no
fairs or exhibitions held by the Grange
Camp Association, and appeared TO mis-
interpret certain passages In the GOV
ernors message.
WHAT THE GOVERNOR SAID.
II may ho Of interest 10 some to know
exactly what Governor O'Ferrall did say
In his message along this line Whcth-
or or not the association held fairs at
certain periods Is a matter OF slight inn
portance in comparison as to whether or
not they abused their charter Inc
Grange admits that they leased the
privilege, and IL Is wen known that the
Alexander Island people, who have been
conducting colossal gambling and other
hwless practices. secured these priVi-
loges from the Grange Camp Association
which was chartered Tor the following
purposes. "Thc fostering and develop
ment OF agriculture and it's interests. as
well as the mutual care. aid, and protec-
ton of its members In time OF sickness
or distress. and the care OF the widow
and orphan. and other benevolent pur-
poses for the purpose OF holding fairs
in the interest Of agriculture. and OF Sc
curing the advantages Of cooperation IN
all matters affecting their interests and
mutual Improvement as agriculturists.'
(See Acs. 1850, page 256.)
The Governor in his message continues:
PERVERTED THE CHARTER.
Under this charter. grounds we're pur-
chased in Fairfax county, and upon
Them suitable buildings erected, and
several fairs conducted by the Grange
Camp Association Of Northern Virginia,
but for two or three years or longer
prior to 1894. there were no exhibitions
or fairs held, and l am informed the en-
terprse had been virtually abandoned
by the association. In the spring of
1894, or winter preceding, the franchises
of said charter were in some manner
secured. as already stated. by certain
persons in the city OF Washington, and
these persons, claiming the night to act
under said charter established the park
at Alexander Island. heretofore men
TONED, many miles distant from the origi-
nal location. in Fairfax county, and have,
in most boldfaced manner, perverted
the purposes OF the charter by making
their driving-park simply a place, as
stated before, for horse-race gambling,
book-making, pool-seling. etc, at all
seasons. They have done nothing 10
foster and develop agriculture and its
Interests. They have not given care,
aid, and protection. in time of sickness
or distress, 10 the members Of the Grange
Camp Association of Northern Virginia,
nor cared for the widow and orphan, nor
promoted other benevolent purposes.
FOR IMMORAL PURPOSES.
''They have not held fairs in the in
terest Of agriculture. nor secured the adj
vantaGes of cooperation in all matters
affecting the interests and mutual i'm
provement of the members OF said asso-
ciatton, as agriculturists: but. in a word
the charter, granted for high and com
mendable objects. has been and is be-
ing used for gambling and immoral pur-
poses only, and under the shield Of "a
charter obtained by an honorable asso-
ciatiOn-a body OF men engaged in "A
calling the purest of all callings -
gamblers are daily pursuing their nefari-
Gus vacations, debauching youth, cor
1upting early manhood, and robbing all
who come within the reach of their filch-
ing fingers.
What more are they doing? Section
of the charter act aforesaid relieves
the Grange Camp Association of the
payment Of all state county or corpora
tion taxes-a concession in the interest OF
agTiculture-and now these people, stand
ing in the shoes Of the members of the
Grange Camp Association, are claim
Ing, or can claim. exemption from all
taxation"