The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-12-22
THE GRANGE.
What Grand Master Gardner SAYS
About Taxation and Good Roads.
HE'S EVIDENTLY INFAyOR OF THE
LISTING SYSTEM.
would Like Good Roads But Fears
They VIII Cost too Much.

Would Like Good ROADS But re@Hs
They VIII Cost too Much.
(From the address of Grand Master Gard
ner of the State Grange)
Education is not only the bulwark upon
which our organization rests but is also
the very foundation, that is to uphold the
future of our grood government. To this
end, therefore, wa must direct our best
thoughts in the years TO come, has IN
those past, which have made ours the
greatest nation the world has ever seen.
With the close of the present year, new
and intricate questions have arisen, and
confront us with great sponsibilities, to
meet these, will demand the highest de-
gree of ability and craftsmanship. The
common school is the stepping stone upon
which our educational system must neces-
sarily depend, as many of our great men
have been country boys, and obtained
the ground work OF their education from
the country schools. Let us see to it that
our school system in the rural towns is
maintained at the highest degree of ell
cheney.
The grange as an auxiliary to our COM
mon schools is of untold value to the
young, il conducted along the lines OF
practical education. This is the central
object of our order; it is our purpose ito
each better methods in all branches of
o nr work, including all that pertains to
good citizenship. Many of our deepest
thinkers do not look upon education as
a mere discipline of the mind; they feel
constrained TO give it a broader and deep
er significance. The American farmer,
the mechanic, the business man, the class
of people who come in contact with the
actualities of life in their. daily experience
are looking for, striving for, and asking
for a system of education which will be
Of practical value to their children in the
varied industries of life There seems to
be desire in public opinion to break
away from old theories, and old methods,
and make education in a greater sense,
i part of real life. thus keeping the
student in constant touch with the
world S progress and its activities. This
S the form of education the grange en-
is members to think for themselves, to
investigate and TO decide questions for
5humslVes, which few years ago received
40 attention from the farmers; it teaches
he farmers to take an active and intel
iigent part in the management of public
affairs; it teaches them to drop old
methods, as far as the labor of the farm
is concerned, of putting the boy through
she same routine as the OK, or the horse,
and in this way, is making the home
brighter and happier and will in the fu-
ture result in keeping many bright boy
on the farm-as many in the past have
lett tie old farm in disgust, because OF
the constant drudgery.
COOPERATION.
Cooperation means the difference be-
tween success and failure-and we as an
org anization are bound to succeed to just
the extent we work together for our COM
mon good. This principle enters into
every feature of our work as an organize.
tion. In lines of trade we do not receive
all the benefits that are possible to obtain.
I do not wish to be understood as being
in favor of subordinate oranges engag-
ing in established trade by running stores
but they can, If they will, get substan-
tial benefits financially l know of an
instance this year where members of
graz GO bought flour for 81. IL
per barrel when the same brand was re-
falling for Sc. 90 on the market, by acting
together and taking advantage of the
market to buy car lots. II seems to me
that here is an opportunity for subordi-
nate oranges, who sometimes complain,
They do not need the money through
which they could get ten fold more bene.
fits than by any system OF remission OF
dues, if they would use the surplus