The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-08-18


IL shown in mo lists OF the thirty or
| forty counties already received is
maintained the aggregate increase
may amount TO sio,ooo,0oo.
Tho tax rolls of the following
TX counties received by the comptroller
today show the following increases I
and decreases In taxable values for
/ the year 1899;
IL Enthusiastically, s2oe,sos; Del
tn, s4sS,s42; Freestone, ASSOC; r. Z
{ tus, s147,9S2; Uvalde, s36,560; Blan- {
s CO. $3S,s49.
Decreases-Goliad, $3.50; Cham
! bers. sl0,S5l, Medina, si2sa. (
having for Its object the improvement,
morally, socially, intellectually as well
as financially of tho condition of the agri-
| cultural masses. We do not antagoniae
! other institutions, hut we represent vet
eran farmers organization with third oil
a century's experience, purchased at great
| cost an organization that is rot an eS-
| pertinent, but one that has stood the test
of time, criticism and opposition. and is
now firmly established among the fraternal
societies of the Nation. Upon our gen
! eral social standing as agriculturists de-
ponds our opportunities and liberties
In all countries where the social status
of country people Is law, degradation. OPP
| preston and the bearing of unjust bur
| dens becomes the lot Of those who till
the soil. Agriculture was originally IN
| tended as the most honorable of all occu-
patlons 1t is now the duty OF farmers to
| maintain II as such. The social condi-
ton of the tenant farmer and peasantry
OF European countries should sound the
| alarm in the ears of the American farmer
so forcihly as to cause him to be over
watchfu and to ward off all conditions
and Influences which may tend 10 deprive
him of that social standing and position
which our new form of government in
tended to guarantee him. European his
tory shows that farmers have failed to
advance socially with other classes and
theirs Is record of lost opportunities
| with the inevitable results. Let us heed
the warning and escape the DOOM. or
| all the prompters of high social standing,
education in all OF its branches stands
! first. II leads to an appreciation OF higher
Social privileges and attachments, and
opens the way to the same. 1t is highly
proper that education is the chief corner
stone in our Grange structure. May 1t be
used to the best possible advantage by all
! leaders in all Grange thought and work.
To secure a broad and useful education
I for the sons and daughters of the farm,
and to maintain and improve our condi-
/ tion thereby, we must be successful in
the business of farming; and as having
I bearing upon these results we may men
ton well applied industry and economy
/ in all farming operations and manage
ment, the science of producing literally
and cheaply, l. e., buying and selling. a
study of probable supplies, surplus and
demands for farm products, not only as
an aid to intelligent selling, but to intel
ligent production as well; transportation,
trusts, option gambling, economic legisla-
ton and taxation. All OF these and many
more subjects should be considered by
this State Grange and could be proftably
studied in every Grange school. The day
has come when the word Influence" pos
sessee a very significant meaning. The
whole matter of party politics. local, State
and National legislation, and the enforce
ment of the laws are subject, more or less.
to class influence. The farmers forming
SO large proportion of our popuaNsxal,
and the general good OF the whole coun-
try depending upon the general inteli-
gence and social standing of our farm
people, the Importance of agricultural in
tluence can not be oVerestimated. We
must remember that our form of govern
ment places responsibilities and gives OPP
portunities OF exalted citizenship upon all
classes alike, If any class fails in intel
ligently bearing these responsibilities and
pro6ting by these opportunities, the fault
must largely be with themselves. We are
by nature social beings and can not iso-
late ourselves without dwarhng the soul
In the declaration of purposes the grandest
thought Of all may be found in the sug
gestions that one object OF the organiza-
ton is to make better men and women
of its membership. We can but think and
must conclude that no organization ever
formed was better calculated 10 accom-
plish this purpose than that of the Pat
rons of Husbandry. The objects of the
Grange are lofty, the possibilities grand,
but the amount of good accomplished will
always depend upon the efforts OF indi-
vidual members. There are some men so
unfortunate that they can see no good In
anything that does not promise little
addition to the purse and these are con-
stantly on the watch for favorable OPP
portunity to obtain something for nothing.
When men of no higher motive than this
join the Grange they are sure to be dis
apprehension become disappointed and
drop out. But when men join the Grange
with a desire for mutual benefit and are
willing TO give and take. are willing to
use whatever promises God has given
them, they must feel elated over the OPP
portunities which lie out before them.
which the Grange opens up to their moral
vision. All of us should be students from
the cradle to the grave. and for this pur-
pose what grand school the Grange af-
fords Everyone should be anxious to
develop all his noble powers by practice
and for such our organization affords OPP
portunitles for which we must look else
where in vain. 1t has been observed that
I'VE do not learn how to live until we arc
old enough to die" This thought is too
true, and sadder feature Is the fact that
many OF us will fall TO master that lesson
even at the close. What we get out oflife
depends upon what we put in II. II we
wiz lose sight Of what we are to receive
and devote our energies to the amount
we are able to give. more successful VIII
life appear I will not call your atten-
ton to any special line OF work, because
have unbounded confidence in your heroic
integrity and ability.
And now ] come to the close OF my term
OF office, to deliver into tho hands OF an
other the gavel and in doing so / pledge
myself to stand by my successor and rem
der him such assistance as is In my
power and the interest OF my family will
permit And let me add that unless we
propose to stand by our officers when