Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-12-22

and every Pomona grange in Maine to
take steps to convince our represen1attits e,
these measures; also that steps pc tak kt,
at this session along the same ine;; VIZ W.,
can get this aid if We work 1or !. II We
do not, We are not entitled 10 receive ~.
Another matter Of great present interest
to everybody is the establishment oh d
government parcel post delivery WnlcM
of rural delivery. We regard these Two ,So
movements of great Importance 70 the
farmers Of Maine. and they demand your
attention.
TAXATION AND LEGISLATION.
While the efforts of the grange In past
years to secure more just and equltdpis
distribution of the tax levy has resulteu
il causing md aars
think it time for the grange to give d.,
tention to this side. Of the question as
we'll as to the side of advancing the rese-
penditures, which, according to state
ment made by Hon; B; NJ. Fernald oi.o wa Vas
a;s fem asss e 1904 from 81 tn
II years being 81, 296, 1866.
This is all out Of proportion to the
Should not be allowed to continue. The
more we endeavor to acquaint ourselves
with our tax laws, the more strongly are
We convinced that before We get any tny
laws. we shall have to adopt laws. such
as they have in several western states
taxing all property upon on The bass asv q +
iactori i This should in my judgment,
be the ,nl gs along on ThGh the rha ali
property should be assessed upon th@
same plan. that of value.
Two years ago your Iegishla a ns,e eIn of
the now famous Sec Is, CHI &, r: s., the
entire section having been printed in the
journal of proceedings or lSO3 l belleVe
&t,.r, haA
lodging than any one thing else in our
State. I hope and trust the patrons OF
Maine will keep up TINS nsht for the re,
peal of hat section which they came so
near doing two years ago. In spite of OPP
position. treacherous though it was. we
came within two votes in the senate OF
those whose interests would be affected
by this change, but We nave nsht 70
protest against those who has as repre-
sentative agriculturalists either openly OF
surreptitiouSly working to defeat meas
ure that is so manifestly IN the interest,"
of fairness, and most sincerely urge you
at this session to take action that Will
give those in opposition to this repeal, to
understand that you do not propose 10
stop until success shall attend your ell
While the grange did its part few
years ago to secure competitive telephone
service, it appears today mat we praco
tieally have no real conp p1ra than aA we
were then. While many rural telephones
have come into existence, yet when READY
for business it appears tna nd the me same
e tme since t the gifted States supreme
court has declared 1t to be constltutioha
the best and only way to secure results
satisfactory to the people is to fix rates
by law. The telephone has become in
dispensable and is destined TO become e
universal and the State should not grant
valuable franchises to corporations Iof
| the purpose of eXtorting money from the
people on account OF eXorbltaht rates
| vice should cost more in Name than II
many other states.
These things will only be righted by
the people whose interests are aHected
| This is one of the most important re.
uuiremcnts of citizenship-the quality or
| citizenship which guarantees inc per,
petuity of our institutions upon the mcdel
| so amply and wisely fashioned by the
| fathers of the republic.
~ good government is never in danger
| from the onslaught of citizens armed with
the implements of death. The best GOV
| er,iment in the world. however, may be in
| grave dangers from the indifference of its
people to the making and administrator
| of its laws. An Overlooking treasury Is
| but a menace in the absence OF a pubhc
conscience This is part OF the mission
| of the grange. 1t is mere to stay. II Is
a living force in our public affairs. 1t Is
| Il living example in our private business
May 1t ever be actuaied by the Spite OF
public honesty and patriotism and may
| its councils ever be for the benefit OF
| MA nkind. - =
AGRICULTURE
Again, I say; with a more e e%tensiy i've
portunity to realize the most out OF lite
there is no place that eXcels Maine
Other states produce more, OF o. gram ram
| but they do not produce better quality OF
average more per acre than we do ir
Maine, and were those who emigrate tc
the far West as willing to endure the
| isolation, the absence of social converse
and live in the same primitive way that
| many of those have done who have iefl
| our State it is question whether they
would not have been as well OFF in this
| worlds goods to have remained at nome
The great drain that has been going on
| for years in losing so many of the boys
| and girls who have been seeking homes
| elsewhere. has been a loss to our own
State that We cannot repair. But when
| the boys and girls realize that there are
as good opportunities in. Maine in de-
| veloping the resources of the state as
elsewhere. we think the future of Maine
| is bright with promise.
| In the development of this truth the
| grange Is doing wonderful work: A.
| 90 of the hest men and women of our
| State and about 10000 in the nation are
meeting in their interests each week OF
| month. Socially. morally and financially
they are exercising a tremendous power
food for s for over go Of people. an export
| trade exceeding s76,OO0.0J0 per year, an
average Of ssSco per second for every sec.
| onu III tne year. II tnlitith "
| and respectful attention at the hands OF
| those who make the laws,
| KELLEY FUND.
| As In most good purposes, Maine leads
| by far IN the commendable Work OF con
| tributing TO happiness and comfort of Bro.
| o. II. Kelley in his declining years. AS
| far as can learn Maine patrons con-
| tributed about S925.S2 to this fund. about
$500 was sent direct to Bro. Kelley by
| different oranges, and Si25.S2 was sent
through. myself. I learn this. was about
! one-half of what he received from all the
| states and maintains the motto of our
State. Dirigo. / have a list of the oranges
and the money sent to me which ] invite
| yoa to inspect while here to see that
| have kept a correct record.
| CONCLUSION.
We have been constantly engaged in
| the grange field the past year and trust
| our work has not been without results
| that we all desire. | realize more than
| ever as the years go on and my expert
| ence extends. the great work there is for
the order to perform. Upon how well this
| work is done by those now engaged in 1t,
will the future of the order depend. Great
| problems are before the people for settle
| mert and many are looking to the order
| of Patrons of Husbandry for the eQuita-
| BILE adjustment of those problems.
| Let me urge upon you who represent
the oranges of Maine, the responsible
| ties placed upon YOU and l trust you will
each respond with diligent labor and
earnest thought. Exercise fraternity and
! charity towards those who may differ
from YOU in keeping in mind that harmony
| and a united purpose can only lead to