Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1903-12-24
THE GRANGE
Conducted by J. W. DARROW,
Press Correspondent New York State
GgunOe
NATIONAL GRANGE.
ThlRTY-SEvENTh ANNUAL CONvEN.
TioN At ROCHESTER, n. Y.

In . Strong Address National Master
Aaron Jones Urges the Extension
Of Agricultural Education Re-
marks on EaPAfng In General aad
& Its DeClhAe.
The national grange, Patrons Of Hus-
bandry. opened its thirty-seventh an
nual session at Rochester on Nov. IL.
The local committee, aided BY the
chamber Of commerce, had prepared
an excellent programme for the public
meeting. Mayor Rodenbeck gave an
address Of welcome, which was re-
spondedg to by National Master Hon.
Aaron Jones Of Indiana. Governor N.
]. Bachelor Of Concord, N. H.. ec-
turer Of the national grange, spoke
most entertainingly on ''The Nation" J"
Hon. George A. Benton discussed ''Fra-
ternal Societies." and Hon. e. B. Nor
r1s, master Of the New York state
grange, discussed various features Of
grange work. Music and recitaticns
dOucO uuCu W lAs0 PaS0cNsAV VA eAS
meeting.
The executive sessions began on
wednesday morning, Nov. II, to con-
tinue ten days. The national master
gave his annual address. a synopsts Of
which follows.
On education the national master
said: Public opinion 10 becoming more
and more pronounced each year In IA
vor Of nature studies and elementary
principles Of agriculture being taught
in our public schools. believe that
in the neaf future this feature will be-
come q part Of our public school sys-
tenn. Every grange-in the United States
should, In fact and In practice, be
school for the practical Demonstration
Of the possibilities of the farm; 1t
should be farmers institute, q lit
erary society teaching practical agri-
culture and developing trained minds"
On the subject Of cooperation among
farmers he stated: II am more and
more convinced that the time has come
when tho farmer must provide for the
distribution and sale Of the products
Of the farm. Shall farmers longer de-
pend upon others, petittoning legisla-
lures and congress to enact laws and
await the delays and uncertainty Of the
courts enforcing them to protect their
rights, or shall farmers get together In
a lawful. orderly. business way to
guard their rights, AZ other great inter
ests are guarded and protectsd2 Farm
ers should provide granar1es and stor-
age on their farms and not be COM
PEELED to rush their products into pub
lie elevators ana into the hands Of
specuiators."
On agriculture in general Mr.. Jones
said that Notwithstanding the indus
try, frugality and energy Of the $780,
coo sturdy farmezs and the aid render
cd BY the department Of agriculture,
agriculture has not expanded and pros
pered az other great lines OF industries
have done. The treasury bureau says
that the increase Of agricultural pro-
duction in thirty years was 92.1 per
cent. while the export during the same
time increased 1918 per cent. The pro
ductlon Of manufactured articles was
enlarged 3O8.1 per cent, while exports
Of manufactures increased 5377 per
cent during the same thirty years.
I'm 1866 farmers owned $3.50 per cent
OF the entire wealth Of the nation. In
1900 they owned only 21.27 per cent Of
the wealth Of the nation; thus farmers
are losing their relative position in the
wealth and production Of the nation.
II this be true. 1t Is our duty to in
vestigate and discover the causes that
have contributed to this condition and
aid in their remedy or removal. II
found that the laws have discriminate
ed and contributed to this condition,
amend or repeal them; il il be found
that combinations Of capital or labor
unions, excessive and discriminating
transportation charges are some Of the
causes. correct these abuses"