Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1897-12-16
THE STATE GRANGE.
Annual Session held at Springfield
and Much Interest Shown.


and Much Interest Shown.
The Vermont State Grange, Pat
rons of Husbandry, met in the G. a.
r. hall at Springfield last week Tues
lday for their annual convention. The
reports of the grand officers were
read, which was followed by reports
of subordinate and Pomona oranges,
showing that the order is in good con
dition in this state. A public meet
ing was held in the evening in the
Universalist church. Worthy Master
Bell introduced Mr.. Leland, presi-
dent Of the village corporation, who
gave the address of welcome, to which
State Master Bell responded. The
address Of welcome by the local
grange was given by L. NJ. Cragin,
TO which State Lecturer X. i. Ca
usha responded. In the absence Of
Gov. Grout, e. w. Scarf was intro
duced and gave a short reading which
he called a ray Of sunshine. Hon.
| Alpha Messer, the national lecturer,
gave an address. He spoke of the
high character Of the members of the
grange and the positions they till in
the government Of the nation. He
was followed by NJ. 5. Stone, super
intendent Of education, who spoke Of
the work Of education done by the
state and the grange. The exercises
of the evening closed with an address
by George w. Pierce, secretary Of the
State Dairymen's association.
Wednesday morning, the first bust
ness was the reading of Secretary
Priests report, which showed that
nine new oranges have been organ
lied during the year and that the
order is in very flourishing condi-
ton in this state Treasurer Pierce's
report showed that the financial con-
dition of the State Grange is on n
sound basis with 2777.5o balance on
hand. Worthy Steward Morse gave
his report and State Master Bell gave
a humorous account of his attempt to
organize a grange in which he was
not successful. A. A. Priest was
elected as secretary for the uneXpired
term caused by the resignation of ID.
ID. Howe. Hon. Alpha Messer and /.
+. Story were elected as members of
the executive committee. The reports
Of subordinate and Pomona oranges
and deputies were given and resolu-
tions were introduced in regard to the
payment of Pomona dues and COM
mending the work of state Superin- |
tendent Stone in his official capacity !
The afternoon session opened with !
a discussion of the matter of the pay |
ment of dues and G.. W. Pierce spoke |
of the matter of reporting meetings |
to local and grange papers. The TN
written work of the first four degrees |
was then given by Brother G.. w.
Pierce.
Hon. Alpha Mcsser presented the |
report of the committee on double /
taxation, recommending that the
owners of real estate should be re-
lieved from taxation to the extent of /
their Indebtedness and that the mort
gagees, or lenders, should pay a tax
of - per cent on the amount. Dis
cussion followed, in which a large I
number of the members participated,
and the report was finally passed TO
the committee with power to draw up
a bill to present to the next Legisla-
ture.
Invitations were extended to hold
the next meeting at Randolph, st.
Johnsbury and Bethel, and the mat
ter was left to the executive commit
tee to decide. Brother Bennett moved
that the Pomona tax be repealed and
the motion was laid on the table.
During the noon recess the grange
visited the new High and Graded
school building, one of the largest in
the state, built at a cost of $500
and witnessed a very interesting ex-
hibition of the fine drill Of the chill
dren. In the evening Springfield and
Brattleboro oranges exempliiied the
first, third and fourth degree work,
after which there was banquet with
postprandial exercises.
What DO the Children Drink
Dnn,t give theYn tea or coHee Have Won triad !