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

were all well filled. The members were
in happy mood.
| The kind treatment they have receiv-
ed on every hand has made deep i'm
pressiOn on their minds and no place in
| Maine stands higher in their affections
than Lewiston. The board of trade has
come in for many compliments. ana
| ospeciqily has the work of the commit
| fee from that body who arranged the
nrogram for reception night earned
their gratitude. President Names and
his assistants have richly deserved all
the compliments they have received.
And then the personal of the gather
ing Said Worthy Master Gardner to
the Journal: This is the most repre-
sentative gathering that we have ever
had to a State meeting. / am delighted
more than | can express"
| Thai is the general sentiment of all
who are here.
These meetings begin sharply on
time There is no delay and neither is
there any occasion for delay. Mr.. Card
ner is a strict disCiDlinarian and no
bitches are made in his conduct of af-
fairs The meeting was opened in form
and the prayer Of Chaplain Titcomb
was delivered with more than ordinary
ea Th~ sfats Grange is1nely differed.
of course it is useless to say any more
about state Master Gardner, for every
one knows him. Boyden Bearce as Wo--
they Overseer is a star. Then there IS
that sterling young farmer. Chas w.
Benson of Durham. He is the steward.
and he knows his business. He has been
a big business man in Massachusetts.
and made a success. but loving the
farm better, he came back and is now
one of the best farmers in Androscog-
gin county. He is Il dealer in COWS and
his transactions are on a large scale.
f. G. Patten and his charming wife
are assistant and lady assistant
stewards. This popular couple reside in
Topsham and own and manage a fire
dairy farm. They are among the most
popular members Of the State Grange.
The first business of the morning ses-
sion was the appointment of commit
tees. These are very numerous and
each one mas its own specific duties.
The mere mention Of a column of
names would have no interest for the
| general public, but the result of their
ltbors will be given later.
| After this matter had been disposed
of the roll call for the introduction of
now business was made. Any member
under this rule can introduce any new
matter that he pleases. but it must he
referred to the proper committee with
out further debate. The debate must
come in the committee room or later on
the floor of the house. There was more
or less of this matter and it was ac
| Crdngly referred One resolution that
attracted especial attention was intro
duced by n. F.. Pray of Auburn, look
ing to the control of automobile own
crs. Its provisions are stringent and if
enacted into law would put stop to
fast riding. The same gentleman also
introduced a resolution in favor of per-
mancnt roads and another demanding
an investigation into the conditions at
Shlor. This last created great applause.
1t will be acted upon by the committee
and finally upon the floor of the house.
Professor Kitchens of Winslow spoke
, on the resolution adopted last year Of
ferinc a premium for the best collection
of injurious weeds and insects. He hop
ed that this matter would be pressed in
this bog. lie said that the Lewiston
Journal of today had d narticle on the
Brown Tail Moth which all should read.
The action that he advocated would
give us a better knowledge of this pest.
Massachusetts has spent hundreds of
thousands of dollars to exterminato
this pest and unless Maine took this
matter in hand at once in ten years
from row there would not be money
enough in the public treasury to battle
with this pest. 1t would destroy every
fruit and shade tree in Maine. He there
fore moved that the Grange continue a
premium of So for the best collection
of weeds and insects together with their
habits. 1t was so voted.
Secretary Libby real Il resolution by
> request of William ]. Rryan. asking for
moral and financial aid in favor of an
Industrial school and home for the
blind IN Portland. 1t was referred to
the committee on resolutions.
Mrs. f. c. Patten. the lady assistant
steward, now distributed the voting
! badges. Without these it would be diff
q Ticult to distinguish the regular dele
gates from other members. And now
they are all gaily arrayed and decora.-
ed with brigt yellow silk badges bear
A'' IN WINS Stdte orange. 1901
In the crowd today the Journal re-
porter noticed his old friend. Mark T.
howard. master Of the Center Mont
y. vile Grange. Mr.. Howard has long hoo,
: member of the order and has boap
= continually in some Office. He is we'll
posted in the ritual and his work in the
comforting degrees is said to be very
, fine.
so much of the work is done in COM
mittee rooms that there is really but lit
lie TO report during the average session
"hen these committees report there will
come the tug or war. Debates will fol
low and the proceedings will be enlivened
t Until such time We are Obliged to nick
up sucn crumbs as We can
Y After the voting badges had all been
= distributed the matter of electing two
c hhemoers or the executive committee was
taken up The terms of these have ex
pred and 1t was necessary that the places
. De hlled Voting in a state grange is a
, SLOW proceeding. The delegates are called
4 up py counties and each individual dele
gate must deposit his ballot. As there
, are NEARLY a thousand of these. and &c
dig bodies proverbially move slo,pIx- ,,,,,.