The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1903-07-09
THE GRANGE
Conducted by ]. W. BARROW,
Press Correspondent Ncw fork State
Grange
SOME POINTS OF PRACTICE,
Authoritative Information on Many
Questions.

Authoritative Information on Many
Questions.
The following answers to questions
by the master of the Michigan state
grange, Hon. George B. Horton, are of
general interest:
Q.-How often should n grange meet?
A.-Article Ill OF the constitution says,
subordinate oranges shall meet at least
once each month and may hold intermedi-
ate meetings" Experience proves that
meetings should be held at least semi
monthly to meet all demands upon the
grange In carrying on its several lines of
important work.
Q.-Are the open meetings desirable?
A.-The grange is established a closed
session organization for the benefit of It's
paying members. so called open meet
ings may be held with profit occasionally.
say once year On such occasions the
grange should be shown at it's best.
Q.-In holding open meetings should in
vitations be given in general? A.-F'or the
success and benefit to be derived from
such meetings each member should be
given the privilege of inviting such neigh
bors and friends are eligible to MEM
bershp and who. would make desirable
members There are but small chances
for good from a general public meeting
Q.-Should the rejecting of a candidate
be discussed by the members? A.--Except
in very extreme cases no good can come
from discussing beforehand the rejection
of candidate and after the event II Is
positively irritating and wrong. All such
matters should rest with the conscience
of each individual member.
Q.-Can master give the annual word
to visiting member? A.-No. Each
member must receive the word from the
master OF the grange to which he belongs
Q.-Can first and second degrees be con-
prt 90 Il dot aud h.a \, ,tvI
fourth on another candidate all in the same
evening? Ayes. The constitution says
that mo grange shall confer more than
two degrees on the same person at the
same meeting" 1t Is considered that the
lessons of two degrees are all that the
candidate can retain sufficiently to pro-
ceed intelIigently and If the grange per-
forms the work properly II Is all that
should be undertaken for the good of the
order.
Q.-When should the minutes be ap-
proved? A-The ritual provides that the
minutes or record of a meeting shall be
approved at the close of the meeting
when they were enacted. The reading of
records at n subsequent meeting is for
the information of members only.
Q.-Should the worthy master sign the
minutes? A.-There Is nothing in grange
law which requires the signature of the
master to the record of meeting.
Q.-When the assistants are taking up
the word shall the annual or degree word
be given first. Alt is required that the
annual word be given first, then followed
by the fourth degree word
Q.-Has grange the right to elect a
new officer to fill vacancy where a res
ignation has not been made? Ayes,
for the grange can declare vacancy
when an officer is delinquent in duty.
Any officer. from whatever cause, should
not be permitted to be a stumbling block
to the progress of the grange. Punctual
officers and regular meetings are essen
tial to grange success.
Q.-In electing officers is It permissible
to vote to instruct the secretary to cast
the vote of the grange for certain mem
ber for a certain office? Addiction by
ballot In the grange has reference to a
free, untrammeed expression of prefer
ence by each individual member To in
struct the secretary to act for the whole
body is not in line with this just principle
and should not be allowed.
Q.-Should an applicant come to the
grange meeting at which his application
Is to be balloted upon? Awhile an ap-
plicant can be elected and have the first
degree conferred upon him at the same
meeting 1t should not be encouraged or
practiced except In extreme cases to con-
centrate several candidates and thus save
work to the grange With the applicant
in waiting at the grange hall 1t would be
very embarrassing In case of rejection.
Inere lS generally time enough TO wait
until results are known.
Q.--Shall the worthy master or lecturer
be addressed when rising to speak during
the lecture hour? A-The worthy master.
Q.-In the initiatory work has an officer
the right to use any language not given
in the manual? A.-The ritual is very
complete within itself, and 1t is not in
good taste to use outside language There
is no law. however against 1t, providing
the ritual is not abridged or changed.
Q.-When an Incorporated grange be-
comes dead, what disposal can be made Of
the grange property? Grange property
may include n hall. A.-The grange thus
being business body can proceed legally
to close out its real and personal prop
erty for the benefit of outstanding In
debtedness or other disposition of the pro-
ceeds. but state grange law provides that
II II appears that few members are act
ing In way to purposely wreck the
grange for the property the state grange
may take possession and hold Ii In trust
for such time when the grange may de-
sire to work again.
Q.-What redress has the state grange
when q subordinate grange persists In re-
ceiving new members for a less fee than
stated in the bylaws? Aft subordi-
nate grange is working In violation of the
bylaws, Article XVII of the bylaws of
the national grange makes 1t the duty of
the master or Che state grange to suspend
the charter of such offending grange.
Q.-Does n Pomona grange send any of
the initiation fee away? A.-Pomona
oranges have full benefit Of all fees and
dues collected,