The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1899-08-10
Patrons of Husbandry.

ing oper ed up cool and fair with no ill.,
dications Of rain and everybody was
ready to put in the day at Lakewood, to
welcome the National Master and other
prominent members of the order.
At he appointed time f. L. Brown,
Master of the Somerset Pomona, called
20 order the many hundreds present and
Hon. I. d. salley in eloquent words
gave fraternal welcome.
Hon. w. w. Stetson was toduced rs
the first speaker. Mr.. Stetson opened
by euogizng the grand old State of
Maine. Even before Massachusetts, had
an existence Maine WAS known to civil
cation. The first ship built in the
western world WAS built in Maine. The
first sermon preached was in Maine.
We need TO read and learn the lesson OF
our own State. The prominent part she
has taken IN the atfAirs of the nation is a
matter of history. The Chief Justice of
the nation, the Speaker of the House,
the Secretary of Navy are from Maine.
We are the head and front Of the nation,
with the exception of the Presidency
and we would be that were it not that
our men are too large to get the office.
Our ancestors were men who feared God
loved Justice and laid the foundation
broad and deep for the civilization we
enjoy to-day.
We hear much about the men who
''stand behind the guns" 1t is Of great
importance that we have men who stand
behind the sons, to train and school and
a Thorn n a va nf M
ties of righteousness, of future useful
ness. In this WAY We can keep at the
head OF the procession and maintain, an
advanced position We have gained in the
past. We need TO tie Watchful. serious
careful and wisely considerable. The
speaker congratulated Somerset county !;
congratulated the grange thai is doing
So much as great university of train
ing, closing his eloquent speech by re-
terring to kipling's famous words, "Oh
Lord of hosts be with us vet. lest We
forget. lest we forget"
After music by PIim9ra grange band
Hon. Edward Wiggin. Past Master of
the State grange, WAS introduced. W.
have listened 10 an eloquent address, the
band has played and now we will come
down To business, Nj. Wiggin began, |
congratulate pou on the beautiful day
given us to meet on such an OCCASION
1t proves to me lhtt ctr order is built Oh
a permanent foundation. Ga the front
OF every grange hall should be placed
the words tive are here to stay" As
much as we get from he social features
and educational opportunities of the
grange, there is something of even
greater importance and that is to learn
our duties as citizens. We should be
loyal to our party and at the same time
loyal to our convictions of right and
justice. We need to attend the primary
meetings of our respective parties and
see that farmers are nominated for a
share of the officers. Many will pass as
the farmers friend but when he obtains
the office he forgets the farmer and his
interests. We have the best organic :
ton possible to aid u in our efforts aud
that is the grange, but we must be care
full and not commit ourselves to any
political party. Should we be so un-
wise as to do this ii will run away with
US, and the great work we have so sue
cesstully begun prove a failure. Mr..
Niggin referred to the appropriations OF
the last legislature, approving that that
went 10 the schools of the State. believ-
ing hat we should stand by the educa-
tiOnal institutions and willingly support
them. He believes in the strictest econ
omy and that all property should be
equally taxed. See that the property
now concealed from taxation should be
brought out and taxed. The only
proper way to get at correct taxation is
To compel every owner of property to
bring in a list of that property. The
grange some years since, took up this
question of taxation and through its
efforts it came near securing the passage
of bill which we considered the right
one, but because of the conduct of one
member of Somerset county the bill WAS
lost. III in future We are to help ouI-
selves on this line we muse stand by the
grange. 1t will not do to go off on any
other line. We can through the grange
accomplish all that is tight and just, il
we remain true 10 its privileges. Work
in the field is hard work and cares OF the
home are sometimes hard but the grange
is helpful 10 US in smoothing out the
wrinkles and giving us sunshine. Our
world is full of happiness aud crowned
with blessings and let US become better
men and women and get All there Is out
Cf ii. We are patrons of Husbandry,
we are farmers, we are Republicans and
Democrats, but greater than this we are
American. Let us be proud of our cit-
zrnship and loyalty support the priuci-
piles OF liberty and union. Mr.. Wiggin's
address closed the morning, xeIcises.
After the usual intermisson occupied
in social reunion and n basket picnic the
afternoon meeting opened with music
by the band and National Master Jones
of Indiana, was introduced. The ma.
tional master congratulated the Patrons
of Maine for the grand work they were
doing for the advancement of the order
and the Patrons of Somerset were emit
tied to large share of the honor. The
order was advancing throughout the
union and at the close of the year 40, 200
new members would be added during
the year.
| have heard of the good work you
are doing along the lines of grange
work, and it is manifested in your large
presence, in your smiling faces and in
your enthusiasm. | propose to talk to
you on the business relations of the
grange with the business and intellec-
tual advancement of the nation. 1t has
been said that | am from the west, but
not so. We call nothing west that is
east of Chicago Have recently been
way out in dorado at the base of Pixies
peak and found that the same earnest
ness and enthusiasm exist there as here
in the far east. The speaker mentioned
the shrinkage of cattle, sheep and other
farm stock in the last eight or ten years,
but which at this time had been stopped
and prosperity coming to us again. We