Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-12-20
STATE GRANGE,
Opening Day Of the Twenty
Sixth Annual Session.
The Largest Attendance Present in
History Of the Order.
Address Of Master and Lecturer With Reports
Occupy First Day.

typical day of the Grange meetings.
been in the habit of looking upon the
sun in all its glory shining upon them
and promising good things for the COM
ing season. Instead a dull, dreary fog
was upon us, and this continued until
the heavy rains drove it away. How
ever, the Patrons of Husbandry are a
very sensible and patient people, and
instead of worrying over the weather.
they went ahead with their work as
though there was enough sunshine for
all. They realize that rain, just now
is perhaps of as much Importance as
during a summers drought. Their
hearts were filled with the warmth Of
the reception of Monday evening, ex-
tended them by Augustus citizens, and
that was sunshine enough for one day
One little clowd of gloom was cast
over the leaders and all when they
learned that their lecturer. man who
never misses a meeting of this sort
when he is able to be out Of doors, was
at home on account of illness. This
man, Prof. Elijah Cook. is one whom
every one connected with the Grange
or genealogical affairs. knows His re-
port was read in the afternoon, by Dr.
G.. NJ. Twitchell.
The session of the morning was
scheduled to begin at 10 O'Clock. but
with a large body things are some
times apt TO move slowly, and this was
the case. Tuesday, for the half hour
over the mark had passed before the
State master could call the meeting to
order Then, what did the credential
committee find? They found that there
We're 225 Oranges represented, with
over double that number of men,
mers in attendance, and with
still more coming in the after
noon. 1t is probable that there
were about 600 delegates and members
III 81 tiit VI mum f''7'li'
while in the evening there We're more.
That shows how interested the peo-
pie are in Grange matters. 1t shows
that one person out of every 40 be
longing to the order has been sent here.
or has volunteered to come to this
august meeting.
The reports of the officers, to be
found in other columns, contain many
good things both in the way of figures
and facts of the past, and in the way
of recommendation for the future,
some of which Will come up for dis
tomorrow. The usual campaigning for
offices is entirely missing. since J. A.
Roberts announced that he should pos
itively not be candidate, this year,
to succeed Mr.. Gardner. That worthy
officer will be elected to his second
term. as the other candidates of two
wears from this time desire.
All the work is behind closed doors.
in the finely decorated City hall. ana
none but the elect can pass those
doors. If he attempts to go in he finds
the gate keeper there to prevent, unless
a whispered consultation can be sue
ccssfully carried out. This keeper OF
the miniature Golden gate and the per-
son enacting the role of st. Peter, has
MANY terrors for the members OF the
order with short minds and tendency
ia confuse secret orders signs and
mass words. 1t does not seem to be a
very difficult thing, however, for the
neople to convince the gate tender they
ara members. in case they really be-
long.
good time to become acquainted
with one another, or better, to learn
who is who in the Grange, is when the
Oranges are being called by secretary
Libby. He calls each Grange and the
master. In case the master is present
when his name is called, he arises ana
responds that he is present. II tdo1
his better half is with him he reports
her also. If the master is not present
tho delegate arises when the Grange
and master is called and responds tha'
the master is not present Al the saiie
time he gives his or her name and says
ba or she is a delegate. Thus those
about can determine who is VINO 10y
| this method.
| one of the interesting features OF 10
dav will be the work in the sixth de-
gree Mr.. Bearce, the member APP
! nointed to secure the names OF those
Who desire to take the degree, had
Tuesday night. secured between oo ah'
n names. The other feature VIII b'
the election of officers.
IT is planned to have memorial eA
orc;ses in memory of the late Is. I
briggs. who died during the year. MI
] Briggs was a man too well KNOWN u!
i every one in Maine TO need an ihtro
duction here He was ono OF the own
ers Of an immense stock farm Ill Au