The Somerset reporter., 1902-08-28
Patrons of Husbandry
Annual Field Day of the Somerset Gran
gers at Lakewood-splendid Day and
Big Rush.


exercises in connection with the Grange
field day at Lakewood was all that could
possibly be desired and at an early hour
patrons and friends began to move in
solid columns towards the central place
OF attraction, many coming with their
own teams and others crowding the
electrics which ran often to accommo-
date the large numbers awaiting con
veyance on the line of the road.
At 10 30 a. m. the Waterville band
rendered choice selections from the
main stand and soon after W. B. Whit
tier, master of the Somerset Pomona,
called to order and introduced Worthy
state Lecturer w. j. Thompson as the
nrst speaker of the day. Mr. Thompson
spoke pleasantly of the surroundings,
of the place in which we meet, the con-
ditions that confront us on all sides and
urging the best development of the
highest and noblest within us. We are
reaching out more and more towards
the beautiful, the virtuous and all that
Is helpful to us as common citizens of
common country. The speaker believes
that the great order which is so largely
represented here is the most powerful
factor to help onward the great work in
this direction. The Grange in its wide
sweep of influence received the highest
endorsement by Mr.. Thompson.
Forest Goodwin, Esq, in behalf of the
Somerset Traction Company, gave cor
dial welcome to the patrons, offering
the use of the grounds and whatever
else may be needed for the comfort and
pleasure of the guests. Mr.. Goodwin
suggests that in the future, instead of
| one day being devoted to the Grange,
there be three or four days which will
| provide plenty of time to consider and
discuss the important questions SO
| closely connected with the work of the
, order and which might be properly
termed "a grange campmeeting."
Prof. A. E. Rogers of the State Uni
versity at Orono was the next speaker.
He could not speak as a farmer. For
twenty years he had given instruction to
young men who had gone out to take
their part in the great business of life.
His theme was the responsibility that
| rested on the Grange which represents
the farmers and therefore theragricultur-
| al interests of the country. The hope
| and prosperity of the republic is in the
| common homes of the people. The
| speaker is willing to "call a spade a
spade" and denounce whatever is wrong.
| A truth was uttered when he said that
| 1.-THE wickedness of rum selling was in
the rum seller" He also said hard things
against the trusts and made declaration
to the fact that when the people 80 will
1t the trusts will GO. The present
trouble in the coal fields was brought
forward as connected with problems to
be solved and if conditions exist 80 that
| they cannot be satisfactorily solved then
| goodbye to our civilization. But the
speaker believes that the Grange in
moulding public opinion in the right
direction can be relied upon in the flu.
| ture.
A shower at this point dispersed the
audience just in time for the picnic din.
ner. After the intermission the large
assembly was called to order and Hon.
j. II. Manley was introduced. While he
is a member of the order of Patrons of
| Husbandry he has never held an office
in the order, but s interested in all that
the grange represents. Mr.. Manley owns
farm and takes pride in the products
that come from the farm. His theme
was temperance and prohibition and the
history of the prohibition movement was
| given. There are over four hundred
towns in the State where liquors ale
| practically unsold but in the large villa.
ges and cities there are more or less
sales which is all wrong. He believes
/ hof Oh ~, g. IL
in the cities as elsewhere, and also
afirms that it can be done. Mr.. Manley
advanced the opinion that large major.
| ity of the Patrons of the State we're in
favor of strict enforcement of the law
Next came State Master Gardner who
was introduced as at the head of the
order in Maine and on whom the Law
that governs the order rests. The State
Master believes in enforcement of the
prohibitory law and declares that the
Patrons of Husbandry are doing more
towards healthy temperance sentiment
in the State than the law the way it has
been conducted in the past. The State
master has been on the move 80 much
of late that he occupied but a short
time.
Past National Master j. H. Brigham
was the next speaker. Stating at first
that agriculture is the first great busi
ness that occupies the attention of the
people at large, he referred to a organ
lied effort that had taken place to
promote the interests of agriculture and
none had done 80 much as the great or.
ganization known as the Patrons OF
Husbandry. Col. Brigham spoke of the
different departments of the Department
of Agriculture and the different lines
of work in which it is engaged, all OF
which is in the interest of the farmers,
but notwithstanding this the farmer
must help himself In organized effort
The Grange offers the great opportunity
for farmers to come together to promote
all legitimate work in the interests OF
agriculture. Don't trust to other classes
to do the work you need TO do your
selves. They will never do it for you.
We need to have a fair representation
in legislative bodies and have the num-
bers and power to accomplish this. Ii
we fail in this direction it is our own fault
as farmers. The speaker congratulated
the Patrons in Maine for the advance al
ready made and the marked improve.
ment noticeable in the last few years
There are many dangers that confront
us some of which may not be conquered
but others will. We must never cease
our efforts till all under our flag have
equal rights and equal privileges. Let
| ma never become tired in we'll doing and