Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-12-17
THE STATE GRANGE
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ject to their jurisdiction. (5. Such a
revision of the fees and salaries as will
place them on an equitable basis.
He also urged in the name of the
grange a strict enforcement Of the
prohibitory laws. He gave the high
est praise to the national government
for the rapid extension Of the free
rural delivery service. This is some-
thing the grange has earnestly adyo-
Gated OF this service he said: 1T
has been plain as a potential educa-
tional force that it brings agricultural
life into closer relations and keeps the
farmer in daily touch with the active
business world: that it advances
general intelligence through the in
creased circulation of legitimate Jour-
nails and periodicals. stimulates COR
respondence, quickens all interchanges.
promotes good roads. enhances farm
values. makes farm life less isolated
and more attractive. and unites with
other wholesome influences in check
ing and changing the hitherto prevail
ing current from country to city. The
national value of these advantages is
incalculable. They are not theoretical
them the beneficent agency of the gov
eminent is brought into the daily
presence and thought of the people. A
service that has brought such a great
Improvement in the conditions of rural
life within four years. cannot be halt
ed. 1t must go on until it shall be fully
completed, until practically every
farm home will receive it's benefits"
On another important matter he
said: "Our dairy interests have grown
to such magnitude and are of such
vital importance to the material
progress and prosperity Of the State
that they should be fostered and en-
couraged as well as protected by the
commonwealth in every legitimate
way. We are glad to note the rapid
growth and interest of our State Dairy
Association and most heartily endorse
the movement of that association for
the creation of a State dairy instructor
and inspector whose duty shall not only
be to instruct along the lines of the
most advanced dairy science, but to
enforce the laws now in existence for
the protection of legitimate dairy
work. By the persistent efforts of the
grange the Grout Bill is now law and
yet am satisfied that in some Of the
cities of our State colored cleo has
been shipped in colored as butter, and
to make the law effective it must be
the business of some one to see that it
is enforced"
In conclusion. Mr.. Gardner ex-
pressed the hope that when the State
will no
members. He said: when we con-
slider that we have $4,000 farms in
Maine and if we had only one from
each farm we would have nearly
double our present number, it will
readily be seen that we have ample OPP
portunity to bring this about. Let us
not cease our efforts until every farm
home in Maine is represented among
the membership in our order, that is
not equalled by any other agency in
the upbuilding and uplifting of the
agricultural class. At the same time
in our desire to increase our numbers,
let US not forget that part of our
declaration of purposes, that ours be-
ing peculiarly a farmers organization
We cannot admit all to our ranks. Not
because they are professional men or
artisans but because they have not
sufficient interest in tilling the soil. or
they may have some interest in conflict
with our purposes AS Il farmers or
ganiZation, jealousy keep it under the
control of the farmers, see to it that
it is not used by schemers to further
their own selfish ends. Hold con-
stantly before you lofty ideals of
grange work. Success lies as much in
the effort to attain such ideals as in
the attainment of them. Let us here,
at this time. make new resolves for in
creased devotion to the order the
coming year. If any hostile spirit eX-
ist or feelings antagonistic to that
spirit of brotherly and sisterly love
which must characterize true unison,
in any way, on the part of any patron,
in any department of the grange fra
ternity, let US here ana now free our
hearts forever. Let us remember
that in full exercise of a charitable
consideration and common COM
munion of effort only can we expect
to succeed with our great work. Our
order is founded upon the eternal
principles of justice and the progress
of mankind"