Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-01-21
and have been, doing in educating the
Co-OpERATIoN.

I tO-Ol'EkAltoNs
| Let US look for moment and consider.
Are We carrying out the grand principles
inculcated In our order? The lack of
unison among our farmers Is one OF the
great disadvantages under which we
labor. one of the principal objects OF our
4 rider Is To bring farmers out from their
\ Seclu .ion or retired habits into more social
4 intercourse with each other, where they
NAV meet together, and, il they will,
act together for mutual promotion ana
| protection.
/ Other classes are organized all over
the world, and work together most Of
their especial inter, 81. The grocery
dealers In nearly every city have their
meetings and agree upon price that we
must give them for our supply of gro
ceries and what they will give us for
our produce.
/ Now am not going 10 make the state
meut that they are selling Us groceries,
corn, feed, etc, at greater profit than
/ they should 20 live. But our profit up
/ ON the farm. like the post office, Is many
/ times made up from the little savings.
/ There Is middleman's profit, from 10
| 20 10 per cent, upon all, or nearly all OF
the goods We are called upon 10 pur-
chase az the present time, including our
agricultural implements, cur fruit trees,
our feed for our stock, and our groceries
This could and should be sIved by CO.
operation
When the grange was first organ
I ired We were looked down upon anf
were source OF ridicule by the board
of trade At the present time our In
/ tluence is great. The hoard Of trade are
willing TO take OF their hats aud wei
come Us wherever we are called upon to
meet in a body. They begin to and do
realize that We are composed of good
material, and have come 10 stop; that
our foundation i good, and what we
dfmpu5 we can have.
No, only DO we have 10 pay n profit
on what We buy; but the produce We
,eil from the farm has the same profit,
that goes @ the middltmGn.
believe that il Is our duty and one OF
the grand principles of our order TO agi.
tate, more and more, cooperation, and
unite IN buying and selling that which
we consume and sell from the farm.
TAXATION.
shall say hut little upon taxation.
and leave that broad subject 10 those
able speakers who are TO follow.
believe IN progression. Let us com
pare the methods of farming and ways
uf living iiity years ago and ST present.
Many make the assertion that We are
growing eNtrsvagaut. should use the
term growing in knowledge" Years
$50 Il was common sight 20 see the
tsrmer out In the morning, long before
sunrise. swinging the scythe from then
tin noon. aud late NJ nigh, raking IL NJ
bv hand. let YOU draw the compari-
son AT the present day.
How many farmers were seen Ia thos"
DAYS with covered carriages, stuffed
sleighs or other comforts that We a. joy
to-day: How many daughters or wives
had the 4, mforts Of good carpet or
musical iu>trum,n' or sewing machine:
believe we farmers are waking up e.
the fact that We are eHtilFi - all of
these comforts Of life. believe II i the
duty Of the grange to educate IA t.
know cur position. believe in our occu-
patton. and assert our rights a. citizens.
We 10 pay and are willing and ready
To pay our proportion Of The taxes and
uu HI1Tt.
Taxation Is question that concerns
1ll classes OF our people. IL Is some
thing that We individually have 30 meet
Millions Of dollars worth OF property /,
e-cspIng taxation to-day. why: Be
cause ne stand back aud allow men to
make our laws aud repre- sent u, Instead
Of representing ourselves.
Railroad Officials aud big land specu-
lators food our state house during the
sess sion Of the legislature, and do solid
work for their especial interest. be-
lieye that We, as Grsngers, should wake
up 70 this matter, and not only ask but
demand that al property shall bear It,
burden of this tax, and throw our in
llueuoe against monopolies; throw aside
political feeling aud work upon principle,
and keep gyiiaiiEg, Ggitating aud dgiidi-
ing these principles, and good results
must follow.