Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-10-29
HALL DEDICATED.
Continued from page -

price After everyone had eaten all
they possibly could, the afternoon ses-
sion was opened in the hall. There was
a much larger attendance than in the
forenoon, the large room being just
about filled to it's capacity. Some of
those present who have attended many
Grange meetings all over the State de-
clared that it was one of the best meet
ings they ever enjoyed. None of the
speeches were long and all of them
bright and snappy; Neither We're they
too short Excellent stories and neat
TO keep everyone in good humor and
give them good digestion for the solid
stuff that formed the bulk of the adj
dresses.
The afternoon session was in char ge
of State Master Gardner, who is
most excellent presiding officer. l.. C.
Bateman of the Lewiston journal, led
off with one of his characteristic
speeches which are so popular among
the Patrons. He had the advantage
this time, as he left soon after finishing
his speech and could whack the others
to his satisfaction without getting
W lltChtO DdCh y. - NClCtoOll VI LIE
Androscoggin Pomona, followed. Mr..
Stetson always has something good to
say and this occasion was no exception.
Mrs. Kate Ellis. of Fairfield, then read
a very bright little poem appropriate to
the occa sion that made a great hit. Mrs.
Ellis is one of the many bright women
among the Patrons and always makes
things very interesting for her hearers.
State Lecturer Thompson was the
next speaker and a good deal of what
lie said was carried home by his listen
ers. He is one of the favorite speakers
among the Patrons and they have him
on their lists whenever they can do so.
E. F. Kitchens, master of the Wnislow
Grange. followed. He got his text from
the other speakers and although brief
his talk was very interesting. Z. P.
Mayo, editor of the Turf. Farm and
Home, came next and his speech was
as good as the others.
In his speech Mr.. Kitchens referred
to the old hall that had been occupied
by Cascade before the construction of
the new one and which he understood
had formerly been a laundry. He
thought the change from a laundry to
such a beautiful hall was a memorable
one. Mrs. Ellis made a hit by picking
him up on this and turning the tables
on him very neatly. AS cleanliness is
considered next to goodness, she
thought the old laundry building.
standing for cleanliness, to be rather
an appropriate place for a Grange. The
application was promptly made by the
audience and a hearty laugh followed.
The last speaker of the afternoon was
State Master Gardner. He heartily
congratulated Cascade on having such
a beautiful home and spoke of the in
fluence the beautiful building would
have on the order as n whole and on
Cascade in particular. He briefly eulo-
gized the work the order is doing in the
State and the influence for good that
it is eXerting everywhere.
The character of its members is max
ing it 4 power for good wherever it eX
lists. He told of how. when the State
meeting was held in Skowhegan, a gen.
tleman of recognized reputation and
ability had told him how surprised he
was at what he saw, declaring that he
did not believe that a like number of
the State could be gathered who would
displayed more character or intelli-
gence.
In this connection he stated that if
the weather conditions We're favorable
he believed that one day there would be
1000 in attendance at the State meeting
to be held in Waterville, in December
He believed that the real value Of the
hall WAS not in itself but rather in the
effort made to secure it. In the future
lie was confident that the church, the
school and the Grange would be the
great trinity. He considered Maine to
be as good u place as any in the coun-
try for the farmer, and illustrated this
by some of his experience while travel
ing in other sections. In a section of
Pennsylvania he found buckwheat to be
one of the staple crops. A good fair
yield was 10 bushels per acre and the
average price 45 cents per bushel. He
wondered how Maine farmers would
like to work under these conditions.
He considered Maine just as good
state as any east of the Mississippi
river for the young man. and that there
are Just as good and as many oppor-
turities for making money.
In conclusion Mr.. Gardiner said that
he had heard great deal about the
Cascade fair, but if he had known be-
fore that there are so many of them he
would have come much cftener.
In all these speeches Cascade was
congratulated again and again on the
beautiful building it had completed and
which was being dedicated. A good
deal was also said about the true pur-
pose of the order and all the speakers
believed that it was for the betternent
of the agrculturist. They believed that
so long as this element remained the
ruling one the order would prosper and
live up to its best principals.
in his charge during the morning ex-
ercises State Master Gardner cautioned
the members against admitting those
who are not eligible and other speakers
of the afternoon took this up also
Strong pleas were made for keeping
the order to it's original purpose.
1t is noteworthy fact that every
officer Of Cascade is woman and this,
in the minds of great many, accounts
for the success of the dedication. The
ladies acquitted themselves with honor