The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1902-12-03
NATIONAL GRANGE.

States OF the Union were represented |
as some have not fifteen subordinate
the number required to obtain
in the national body.
Twenty mine States were represented |
at this meeting besides the representa- |
ton of Canadian oranges by Jabez |
Robinson of st. Thomas, who has for |
years attended the national meetings |
and taken part in the discussions.
The officers of the National Grange |
at this meeting were: Aaron Jones,
Indiana, master; Obadiah Gardiner,
Maine, overseer; N. J. Bachelor,
New Hampshire, lecturer; w. g.
Jewett, Massachusetts,, steward; @. o.
Raine, Missouri, assistant steward
w. X. Thompson, South Carolina,
chaplain; Mrs. Eva S. Mcdowell,
Ohio, treasurer; John Trimble, Wash
intgon, d. c., secretary; George w.
Baird, Minnesota, gate keeper; Mrs.
Martha M. Wilson, Illinois, Ceres;
Mrs. Cordelia Atkinson, West Virgin
ia, Pomona; Mrs. S. B. Wolcott, Ken
lucky, Flora; Mrs. Marie A. Hill,
Pennsylvania, lady assistant steward;
every one of the national officers were
present at this opening session.
The usual preliminary business
proceedings occupied the forenoon. In
the afternoon Aaron Jones of South
Bend, Indiana, master of the National
Grange, delivered a very able address.
He spoke of the prosperity Of the
order, of the important question of
trusts, Of rural free mail delivery, of
the isthmian canal, of ship subsidy,
of forestry and paid tender tribute
to those who had laid down the i'm
plements of labor and gone to rest !;
especially eulogizing Alpha Messer,
past master Of Vermont State Grange,
and past lecturer of the national
Grange, saying of him that No men,
Der ever had occasion to complain or
apologize for anything he said or
wrote The influence for good of his
noble, upright life and his words of
counsel and advice will remain to
cheer and bless mankind through ages
yet to come.
A brilliant reception was given
members Of the grange by Gov A.
/ 7. Bliss in the executive parlors,
which were adorned with autumn
leaves, stately palms and green foil
age, blended with the Grange symbols,
producing a beautiful effect. E. A.
| Holden, as the representative of Lans-
| ing Citizens committee, introduced
| United States Senator Burrows, who
presided during the evening. Gov. A.
II. Bliss extended the welcome of
State, to which Master Jones respond
ed. Master Horton of Michigan
State Grange, extended greeting and
the response was made by Gov-elcet
Bachelor of New Hampshire. Mayor
Hammel gave the welcome the city OF
Lansing felt, and to this Mrs. Olivia
I. G. Woodman made fitting return.
Music was supplied by the industrial
school choir.
On Wednesday Col. J. H. Brigham
spoke of the value of the weather
bureau, also the department of animal
industry which deals with diseases OF
animals and protects the farmer stock
from the spread of dangerous diseases
The afternoon and evening We're de-
voted to the Higher Rites of Hus,
bandry. Several hundred candidates
received the fifth degree and the
dergee of Flora was conferred upon &
class of 1923 candidates. The work OF
the Juvenile Grange was greatly en-
joyed and received much applause
This grange was organized only few
months ago with Miss Ida Chittender
as matron.
On Friday morning the delegates
visited the Michigan school for the
blind and the factory of the Lansing
Sugar Co. A class of 800 were giver
the seventh degree during the after,
noon and evening, the highest ranl
in patron circles. An, exhibit Of
Michigan products and manufacturers
called forth much interest.
Official reports of Saturday con
flrmed steady growth and increasing
interest throughout the country. An
othre reception was given by Presi
dent Snyder and members of the
faculty of Michigan Agricultural Col
lege. A memorial meeting for the
deceased members of the National
Grange was held ON Sunday Afternoon
in Representative s Hall Each year a
day is set apart during the session foI
lodge of sorrow, where suitable
tributes may be paid those who ar,
beyond response to Grange roll call.
The closing sessions were full o.
interest, including reports of State
Oranges and the adoption of resolu
tions, among which were the amended
report on the criticism of agriculture
colleges, which modified the former
resolution by the declaration that tn,