The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1897-01-13

The secretary's report showed gain
of one Pomona grange and present
membership of 301 Two subordinate
oranges have been organized during
the year. one in Lyme and one in
Westport The whole membership in
the state is now about 1000 The re-
ceipts for 1896 were $5,53S. SO, and ex
penses s5,10445, leaving a balance for
last year of s434.0S.
The following resolution was offered
by Hon. J. H. Hale of South Glaston-
bury.
Whereas, The highways of the state
are being greatly improved and The
public generally educated in road mat
ters through the influence of the good
roads law, so called,
Resolved, That the state grange Of
Connecticut hereby request the roads
and bridges committee of the general
assembly to give careful attention to
consideration Of suggested amendments
of this law before reporting the same;
also
Resolved, That the legislative com
mittee of this grange is hereby in
structed to keep careful watch Of these
proceedings and use their influence for
the continuance of the good work, along
lines that while doing no injustice to
any town or section of the state, shall
in no way stop or hinder the good
work.
The following resolution was also
passed:
Resolved. That blank petitions in
form be forwarded by the state secre-
tary to the subordinate secretaries of
each grange requesting them to have
it signed by as many members as pos
sible and forwarded to their respective
members of congress requesting that
free rural mail delivery be established
in this state.
Resolution offered by N. s. Platts
Whereas the granting of franchises
to parties use the public highways of
the state for railroad traffic has re-
suited in the injury of these highways
for ordinary travel without corre-
spending benefit to the state or gov
ernment for the injury and additional
expense caused by them,-
And, Whereas, have now become val
liable many of these franchises, and
If owned by the state or towns would
bring a large revenue to it or them.
Therefore, be it resolved, That this
State grange request the legislature to
enact law that any franchises here
after granted for any railway to use
the public highway of the state shall
be limited to term of years not ex-
ceeding thirty-three.
ANNUAL ADDRESS.
At the afternoon session Worthy
Master S. c. Bowen delivered the an
nual address. touching on the work of
the organization in the past and sug-
gesting fields for its effort the COM
ing year.
In regard to legislation, he said:
"I am of the opinion, expressed in the
recent address of National Master Brig
ham, that it is not wise to spread over
too much surface, but to concentrate
our forces and efforts upon few meas
ures. For instance" said he, "let us
secure free mail delivery this year, and
unite upon something else next year.
Concentrate and succeed. Divide our
strength, and failure is sure to follow.
Let US unite harmoniously with farm
ers' clubs, agricultural societies, expert
ment stations and institutes in the fur
therance of the best interests OF agri-
culture"
He then touched on the recent meet
ing of the national grange at Washing
ton, to the depressed condition of agri-
culture at the present time and to the
appointment of the commissioner of
agriculture.
He had the following to say relative
to good roads:
What we need is to enhance the
best interests of the great majority Of
our farmers living in the localities re-
mote from towns is good roads These
in many instances may be had at a
minimum expense, by using the ma
terfal near at hand. Instead of the i'm
portation of road material from long
distances at great expense, the COM
missioners have, in certain instances.
allowed the public funds to be used in
easing grades, by cutting down sharp
pitches, and using the material thus
obtained in filling the hollows and wet
(CoDtinued on. Fifth pao oN