The morning times., 1896-11-12
GUARD THE HOME MARKET
Grange Master Brigham Says
Farmers Demand II.
SINGLE TAX CONDEMNED
His Annual Report Demands That
tected From Cheap Foreign Com
petftion-He Paints Gloomy
Picture of Agricultural Conditions

The thirtieth session of the National
Grange convened yesterday in the Ma
uonai Hotel, thirty States being repre-
sented by $50 delegates 1t was the first
meeting III Washington, TACT to which
the several speakers referred in their Ie-
marks
General Secretary John TrimbIe, of this
city, and William Saunders, superintendent
OF the Agricultural Department Grounds,
two original members or the order, present
at this meeting, welcomed the delegates
to the National Capital. Mr.. Saunders, in
his speech, advocated the erection, by the
National Grange, Of hall Of archives in
Washington.
Worthy Master j. w. Brigham of Ohio re-
sponded to the address on behalf of the
grange.
WORTHY MASTERS REPORT
At the afternoon session the annual re-
ports OF the several officers were read
Worthy Master Brigham briefly considered
number OF pertinent topics. OF agri-
cultural conditions he said:
The farmer who is receiving fair Ie-
turns for his labor and invested capital
is now the exception.
There has been no general failure of
crops, but the prices received for most
OF theme do not pay for the labor of
production. Such conditions are very dis
couragng.
1T is well known TO US all that competi-
ton in the growth and marketing of many
OF the products OF the farm is world wide
Our breadstuff, meat and cotton must com
pete with European markets with like pro-
ducts of all exporting countries, i'll many
OF which. land and labor are much cheaper
than in cur country.
FOREIGN COMPETITION.
These competing countries are rapidly
introducing improved machinery and
methods of tillage, and their cheap labor
Is soon able To handle machinery with skill.
Such conditions combined with continually
improving facilities for transporting the
crops OF these countries to market may
well awaken apprehension in The minds OF
the American farmers.
We cannot control productions nor regu-
late the cost thereof III foreign countries.
There is no profit in selling in the markets
OF the world below the cost OF production
Ir we cannot compete with the cheaper
land and labor of these markets we can
at least control our own markets and
produce nearly everything needed to sup.
ply our own people.
why should we buy sugar, wool, etc. ,
from other countries when We can produce
them at home?
The people seem to have decided in
favor OF adequate protection to American
"
gard TO our personal views, consistently
demand for agriculture the full measure
of protection accorded to other industries
and we should accept nothing less
The address condemned the single tax
theory, said that good solid, sensible,
practical work is needed in the a gricultural
Department, and that the department needs
the help Of all the farmers, but that their
confidence must be secured before they will
venture suggestions; demanded the eNten-
sion OF the free mail delivery to the rural
districts.
Eva Mcdowell, treasurer reported re-
ceipts during the year S17,565.7l, in
cluding $2,716.23 interest on mortga re,
and S6,597.10 dues from State oranges
The expenditures were S1T,s43.T2, OF
which Sa,21s SO was on account If Of
ficers' salaries and expenses and expenses
OF committees, and S2,64O invested.
The report OF John Trimble, secretary
showed that dispensations had been issued
during the year for new oranges, thirty
three in Ohio, which State has the
highest record.
The committee on credentials reported
the oranges of twenty-siN States clear ON
the books of the National Grange and en-
titled to representation.
label Robinson of the Dominion Grange OF
Canada was introduced and made a few re-
marks.
The grange adjourned until this morning.