Daily Kennebec journal., 1899-12-19

wi lI'Sl liam III bht dbS NiiCh tii'
committees from Capital and Nortl
Augusta Oranges had met them. Ev
eryone on the streets had greeting
| for those of the visitors they knew
and every person had "A word of wei
come. Other testimonials of the granC
welcome Augusta gives the 26th annua
meeting of the Maine State Grang,
We're seen all about. The American
flag was floating in front of many 3
| place Of business and from several OF
| the private residences in honor Of tn,
| coming of the Patrons, ana every store
| VII 4, III had some sign Of welcome il
| IT,. ~ IN If the Grange colors set forth
| The Capital Of Maine is ever ready
| to extend a hearty greeting to the
| members Of the Patrons Of Husbandry
as they Wen know. In return tbs
| Patrons are also ready to receive the
| hand shake Of welcome and to come
| here. They have proved that by THEN
| selection. Augusta is "a favorte place
with them and Augustus citizens hope
| it ever will be. 1t has been two years
since they We're with US before, when
| in 1897. they held their oath session in
| City hall. In 1896. also they held their
| meetings here. Last years meetings
went to Bangor, but it was only to re-
| turn again to Augusta. The members
seem instinctively to know without our
| telling them that Augusta cordially
gives them the right hand of fellow
ship and wants them to come again,
which. according to the present out
| look, is very probable.
They came by scores and hundreds
| Monday. Every train brought them in
| by the carloads. The committees of
| the local Oranges were huStlng about
with pencil and book and with slips
| assigning them each and all who had
not previously engaged rooms at some
hotel to resting place. for all had tc
be accommodated. They did not wait
until the sessions began. but began to
come to look over the city and have their
feet placed before the sessions opened
| in City hall. this morning at 10 o'clock
| Everywhere one turned he met a
member Of the Patrons of Husbandry
of the Maine branch. Maine is work
ing up toward the head of the list just
at the present time and the Journal ir
talking with Secretary Libby. Monday
was informed that the old State vii
be kept there.
My report will show an increase OF
about 1900 in the year ending Septem-
ber 80" said Mr.. Libby. Il should say
that the gain since the last meeting haC
been at least 1000, for the work has
been going on largely since the last fal
and winter struck in. This is the busy
season of the year, you know"
What is Names place in the list OF
those of the United States?" asked the
Journal.
We are second. New York stand:
ahead of us in this as well as in tht
pulp industry. and we must work t
catch up with her. The state of Mlch
igan is making great hustle TO gan
on us and they have made the state
ment out there that they will gain lo
lodges in the next year. That means
il We are to retain our present position
We must 40 some work in the mex
year. but Names motto Will not le
her 90 down, but up
Mr.. Libby said the membership Q
the Grange in Maine is something llk'
n. 900. 50 the strength Of il can be seen
This is an of year, 50 far as con
tests go 1t is the year of the elec
ton, but at the same time there IS bu
! one candidate in the field for any o
the offices of rank. each of the presen
officers having reelection. ana S'
| none of the CanVaSSing is being mad
bv friends of candidates that was Seel
two wears ago, when the last session
was held here Everywhere one see
them chatting about the SUBJECTS &"
Interest to them and to the order. all II
perfect harmony, it would seem.
That gathering in City hall. Monda,
evening, was one of great proportion
and of pleasure to the visitors. II ina
meeting is any criterion of what is L
he here this week, in the shape o
crowds. then look out for the SUI
1000 that have been phophesied by loca
members and the officers 1t was
gathering of representatives OF al
narts of the state Of Maine. 1t was IN
Gathering Of the muscle and Drawn 70
pether with the moulders Of the house
l hold affairs and the formers
the characters Of the farmer boys an
girls. like which no other state ma
such a representation as Maine.
!, The attendance at the reception wa
exceedinely large. There must nay
! been fully 500 people present, OF Whof
|, II seemed as though over one-hal
were from outside the city. They as
sembled on time. and previous to tn
: entrance of the reception Commits
: and the speakers. enjoyed the musi
that Dennis orchestra of SIX piece
dIscoursed. At the same time they ha
=, a chance to look about and see VIVA
had been done to the hall where IN
meetings are to be held
The hall is a creation Of emblemat
and decorative beauty. 1t is certainl
an honor to those who designed II
decorations. c. F. Fletcher ana Dr-
\. NJ Twitchell. and to the committees
the two Oranges who did the Wor
Those of the citizens who were presen
Monday evening. had chance To $
: v,,,at the members of the order w
lt look upon. this week. and their compI
Q, ments were profuse.
ld The stage has one distinctive featu
that is worth mentioning above
others. This is the great amount