The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1904-02-12
THE GRANGE
Conducted by ]. w. BARROW,
Press Correspondent New York State
Grange
GRANGE WORK IN THE WEST
National Master Jones Urges Patrons
10 stand and Work Together.

ESPECIAL Correspondence
Having recently returned from q
three months lecturing tour and study
Of the conditions and NECESSITIES of the
order in the states of Washington. Ore
gon and California. determined to
carefully study the trend of thought
and work of the order in the several
states Of the Union and carefully note
the conditions confronting the farmers
occupation in the various sections Of
our country with view If possible of
advancing the interests of the order to
give greatest benefit to our membership
in every section Of our beloved country,
so vast in its territorial extent and so
varied In climatic and local conditions.
Farmers who are engaged in a par
ticular line or speciality sometimes feel
they are not so much interested in the
condition of farmers in remote sections
Of the country who are engaged in en-
tirely different lines Of agriculture and
therefore do not need to actively CO.
operate with them in securing just
recognition of their respective rights in
business and legislation.
1t occurred to me that 1t was the
duty of our great order to study the
trend Of thought and direct the minds
of the American farmers along lines
that will reach the conclusion that
farmers of necessity must stand to-
gether and see to it that all branches or
subdivisions of our great industry must
stand together. work together. prosper
together or suffer together for such
failure. The duties and responsibilities
resting upon our order and the part
necessarily taken by the officers thereof
more and more impress me with the
duty and responsibility on them. Some
of our members may sometimes forget
the more serious and responsible duties
of the officers of the grange and view
the work of the lecturer as one Of great
personal pleasure to himself. Any one
who goes out to lecture in the interest
of our great Order of Patrons of Hus-
bandry should no doubt make himself
as agreeable and pleasant to the mem
bers and all others as possible, but he
should never forget that he stands as
the representative of the great princi-
pies of our order, the observance of
which leads to broader and better citi-
zenship. to more profitable agriculture
and to the advancement of the general
prosperity of great nation.
Our first meeting in Oregon. held in
the city Of Portland, partook more of a
| national and Interstate council of mem
bers of the Order of sPatrons of TIus-
| bandry. state and city officials and citi-
zens and agricultural colleges and the
public school interests Of the great
states Of Washington and Oregon. The
influence of this one meeting was felt
in every portion Of those states ana at
tracted the attention of all the people
to the work of the Order of Patrons of
Husba ndry. and | do rot think it over.
states the matter when | say that the
national character and great work ac-
complished GnG to be accomplished by
our order were understood and appreci-
ated by all the people of the Pacific
coast better than ever before. AS a re-
suit Of this one meeting better feeling
will obtain there between residents of
city and country, the standard of coun-
| try schools will be raised. large in
crease of members to our order secured.
and the farmer will have higher APP
! probation of his calling and his impor-
lance in the industrial activities and in
state and national prosperity.
AARON JONES,
| Master National Grange, Patrons of
Husbandry.