Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-12-19


evening, and hard work was done in
| the country.
"One afternoon and evening. by spec
/ ial order. swas devoted to remarks for
the good of the order. Committees were
appointed and subjects chosen with
that end i'm view, and resulted in great
good to every member of the order.
wish all could have been there and
heard what was said. Grand good
would certainly have resulted and did
result from this meeting. Most of the
business of the other sessions were re-
la ted to the legislation of the National
Grange, but these two sessions were
especially for all the patrons.
Not ell appreciate the work which
the national Legislative committee are
doing. Our order through this com
m:ttee are in close touch with the leg
islative work of the nation. We can
not expect to accomplish everything,
but the order is having great influence
here because it is proving itself worthy
and as long as we remain true TO the
principles of our order. uplifting the
agricultural population. paying no re-
gard to political differences. so long
will we merit the respect of all good
men and women. If we can compare
cur meetings of the present time with
those of q quarter of n century back
we see how we have advanced as an
order in influence and members.
Then, we were almost unknown.
Today, see what recognition We have
been accorded. Look at this hall, SO
We'll filled and beautifully decorated
for US. ] congratulate YOU that this
order has grown solely upon its own
merits. 1t win be in the future Just
what You make it. In so far as the
principles enunciated by its founders
are maintained. it shall continue to
grow and be a power felt by the ma
ton"
Master Gardner. at the close of Past
Master Virgins speech. espied Prof
Rogers in the tear of the han and call
ed upon him to occupy five minutes III
addressing the meeting. He responded
by saying that the limit of the time
was the best part Of the call. He was
proud to address the representatives of
such an order. whose membership
reached 25000.
Our order is doing Well. Look at our
progress. We are not where we wish.
but look at our growth. 1t has been
slow and steady. 1t stands for clean.
pure homes. loving hearts and honest
men ana women. How true are the
words of Burns: An honest mans
the noblest work of God
At the close Of Prof. Rogers re
l..
cess.
Nearly 20C0 people assembled for the
afternoon session TO listen to the an
nual address Of Worthy Master Gard
ner.
He recommends that the Grange sup
port the Grout oleomarGaine bill,
speaks favorably of Grange fire insur-
ance companies; urges the members TO
agitate the question of reform in taxa
ton; abolition of the fee system: the
benefits Of good roads; election of Unit
ed States senators by direct vote of the
people: a practical agricultural educa-
lion and the regulation of corporations
by law: free rural delivery of mail.
postal savings banks: speedy construc-
ton of the Nicaraguan canal. He also
spoke of the steady growth of the or
der in the nation and State and in CON
clusion thanked the members for cour-
tesy displayed. Extracts follow:
As we return to this beautiful and
hustling city of Lewiston, after an in
terval of years, we note with pleasure
and pride the rapid and substantial
development and Improvement of tho
twin cities of the Androscoggin. BY
81 ~
ure the advancement and growth Of
the order in our State. We find within
the last decade. we have added nearly
10. 900 to the membership in Maine. ana
as we meet in the 9th annual session
of our State Grange. | congratulate the
representatives, of the order here as
Sembled. on the continued prosperity
and success of our endeaVorS, and tbs
confidence and fraternal spirit mani
tested in its membership; harmony and
good fellowship prevadc throughout the
State; the members have more charity.
one with another, and manifest more
assurance in the perpetuity and eff
Cacy of the order to benefit the mem
bership: as long as this bond of fra
ternity dement's us together, we should
be encouraged and stimulated to press
forward with renewed zeal. that we
may number at least $4,000 members in
1910.
It is a matter for general satisfac-
ton, that the order. not only in this
State. has had q most prosperous year.
has Increased its membership. arrest
ed public attention and commanded Il
greater respect than for any previous
year within the last quarter century.
In our State we have organized II
Oranges. recognized three subordi-
nate Oranges. and organized two
Pomona Oranges. The existing Oranges
have been strengthened by dropping
from their books. what might be term
Ell dead wood" or non-paying mem
bers. and believe there never was a
time when we represented. a more real
live membership than we do today.
Farmers are fast learning to see and
admit. that organization is not only a
privilege, that may be enjoyed for So
cial benefit. but also a necessity of the
times, to enable them to stand up
Time and Experience