Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-12-22

ments and reforms shall be instituted
| rather than join in a general and perhaps
| Ill considered condemnation of the whole
practice.
The work of our own State college. now
| known as the University of Maine. of the
experiment station. of the board of agri-
culture and its valuable course of insti-
| tutes and the influence of the press OF
Maine have been mentioned in detail in
| former addresses and repetition is here
| unnecessary. All these kindred agencies
| have the endorsement and support of our
order and our efforts and influence have
ever been joined with theirs for the pro-
motion of the best interests of agrcul-
ture
THE WORK OF THE REAPER.
During the past year death has entered
our ranks and removed some of our old
est and most earnest members. In May.
Brother A. X. Walker of Hampden. one
of the oldest members of the order and
the founder of the first grange in Maine
was called from labor to rest. Later in
the year. and at different periods. fol-
lowed Brothers j. J. Carr, gatekeeper of
the State Grange: E. II. Gregory past
overseereof the State Grange and for
many years master of Penobscot County
Pomona. and c. H. Cobb. president of the
Androscoggin Patrons Fire Insurance
Company and a prominent member of our
order.
l would recommend that time be set
apart during the session for fitting memo
rial exercises in remembrance of these
our departed brothers. and for that rea
son further mention is deferred until that
time.
NATIONAL GRANGE.
The National Grange of Patrons of
Husbandry held its thrty-first annual
IN l,n ..itN nry.tSt NIvN
commencing on Wednesday. Nov. 10th,
and continuing nine days. In many re-
SpectS this was one of the most impor-
tant sessions ever held by our national
organiZati ton as it determined the fact
that the order in the United States would
continue to be administered on conserva-
tive lines and also disposed of several
questions which for a number of years
have been elements of disturbance in the
annual sessions.
AS this was the regular biennial cleo
ton of officers. and as Worthy Master
Brigham was unable longer to serve in
that capacity on account of his duties as
assistant secretary of agriculture. 1t be-
came necessary to choose another to hold
the helm and administer the affairs OF
our order. The choice fell upon Brother
Aaron Jones of Indiana who had al
ready served two years as overseer of the
National Grange and is well and favor
ably known to patrons throughout the
nation. In elevating Brother Jones to
the masters chair the grange made no
mistake He is man of broad and COM
prehenSVe views and of sound and con-
servative judgment. Patrons in every
section of the country may feel sure that
the honor and dignity of the order are
safe in his lands.
The other officers chosen are men and
women in whom all who know them have
the utmost confidence and who will adj
minister the affairs of their several de-
partmentS wisely and well. During the
session the honorable secretary of agr- !
culture accepted an invitation to appear
ard address the grange and came from
Washington for that especial purpose.
The secretary made a most favorable |
impression upon all who met him and his
address gave evidence that he was not
only conversant with the needs of agri- |
culture but alive and enthusiastic to la |
Dor in its interests. During the time of
the session the National Grange by invi- !
tation made excursions to the battle
field of Genpurg and to the Indian
school at o. both of which were |
thoroughly enjoyed by all.
The next session will be held in NOvem- |
Der. 1898, at Concord. n. H.. and 1t is |
earnestly hoped that Il large number of
Maine patrons will avail themselves of
this opportunity to see the National
Grange in session and to receive the
seventh degree.
GRANGE COTTAGE AT GOOD WILL.
One of the grandest monuments ever
erected by any charitable or fraternal or
ganiza ton is the grange cottage at Good |
Will Farm which has just been completed |
and dedicated with fitting ceremonies.
This enterprise was first started at the
22d annual session of the State Grange In
Bangor in 1895. and seemed at once to
commend itself to the members OF the
order From the fact that the object and
aims of the Good Will Farm Association |
were little known in many sections Of the
State the fund for the construction of the
proposed cottage did not reach very
large proportions during this first year.
At our last session held in this city re-
port of the amount subscribed to that
time was made and it was voted to push
the work of obtaining contributions from
the oranges during the ensuing year. 1t
was also voted that when the amount In
the hands Of the treasurer of the COM
mittee should reach the sum of 5000 the
treasurer of the State Grange should pay
from the funds in his keeping the sum Of
$500 toward the construction of the cot
tage A committee of one from each
county was chosen to receive and for
ward subscriptions and have general
charge of the work. By this committee a
building committee was chosen. consist
ing of your worthy master as chairman,
Continued on page 81