Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-12-20

i CIltC VI tiiS WI III VII ttlc uieu h oiio
as the basic producer of the necessi-
| ties of life.
| Worthy Master. Brothers and Sisters:
| There is no proof of success like sue
| cess.
| Not only we ourselves. but also those
| outside the order note the phenomenal
| growth and development of the grange
| i'll the state.
This is shown by the new oranges
| added, the increase in membership, the
| number of halls erected and by the
| general interest and enthusiasm shown
| on all sides. 80
| What are some of the Indirect and di-
rect causes of this growth of the
| grange, and how can we still carry it
| on?
First let us look to the history of the
development of agriculture, OH which
our order is founded, and it's relation to
other industries. The food problem
| with the individual and with the race
| mas always been, is now, and must con-
tinue to be of first and greatest i'm
portance
We find that the early civilizations of
] the earth We're developed in those sec
tons Of the earth where food was most
abundant and easily obtained. Cloth
ing, shelter, art philosophy and religion
| can only increase as energy to produce
| necessary food supply is released by
natural conditions or by improved
| methods in agriculture.
| Food supply must stand first. Our
proverhial ancestors did not use the fig
| leaves until the figs had been eaten.
When through natural fertility of the
soil. as in the valleys of the Nile or
| Tigris of Ganges, the food supply is
made easy and abundant, or when
| through improved methods this same
result is brought about, then certain in
| dlviduals or classes are set free to en-
gage in commerce, art and philosophy.
Without doubt the first implement
| used by man was a club for attack or
| defense in protecting himself or his
| family from threatening danger; this
not only developed into n weapon of
| warfare, but also was used in pursuit
| of game. and when hunting began to
| wane and the rudest form of agricul-
| ture began, the club or spear was
| fashioned into hoe. 1t is not alto
|
| ment to speak of the spear being fash
| ioncd into ploWShare.
| When the class liberated by improved
| agriculture from the necessity of di-
| rectly acquiring their own food ceases
| to serve in turn the class who has lib
| Grated them, and who still feeds them
or when the liberated class becomes
more numerous than is useful, or when
l Il
made. then a REIMBURSEMENT must take
| place; the idlers weeded out and a large
| proportion sent back to producing food
| Doctors are needed in sufficient num-
| bers to care for the health of the people
| and we hope the needed number will
| not increase. but to look upon the pro-
| fessiOn as an industry to be encouraged
| would be to load a community with a
nOn-producing class of graftcrs, for Il
CRATER is man filling position where
| none is needed, or drawing salary not
| earned.
Teachers are needed but this demand
| is limited.
Painters are needed in a reasona bly,
| small number
Singers are needed, but they should
not be more numerous than cooks, nor
| should their art be considered a greater
| one.
Minister'S are needed to direct people
| to a better way of living. but when "A
| community that could readily be ac-
| commodated by one church. supports a.
| half dozen, it is a waste of energy or
| graft that no one will try to defend
Even lawyers are needed to make out
| legal forms. and settle disputes of peo-
pie who do not belong to our order. but
| do we think there is danger of the
world suffering from the necessary sup
ply?
| Whenever this nonproducing class
| develops in a country, no matter how
highly educated or refined they may
appear, or whether in the form of aris-
| tocracy. priesthood or soldier, and the
powers of the producing class are over
| taxed. then decay sets in.
| Thu history and condition of the
| countries of Europe show this. and the
| cry that is arising today against graft
| is against this evil.
| Germany is beginning to cry against
| an Over-productiOn of so-called educa-
| ted professional people.
| 1t is surprising to note how, directly
| or indirectly, the great industries of
| the world are dependent upon the basic
| industry of agriculture. and how they
| all contribute. or should contribute. to
| the production and distribution of food.
| and by making this easy enable us to
| supply other needs of our natures.
The man who in the factory manu-
| features a tool to assist in the produc-
ton Of a crop. or the man who assists
in bringing this tool to the farmer and
carrying back food to the mechanic. or
the miner who causes the furnaces to
| do this work. are all factors in the pro-
| duction Of the crop.
! In this division Of labor caused by
advancing civilization it becomes I'M
i rortant that each class receive its pro-
/ pOrtional share of the profits. and that
no class produces n-productiva
class of idlers, rich or poor who lives
by some form of graft. upon the labor
of the producers. There is no graft in
agriculture only as I'VE marry the
gentlcst scion to the widest stock and
thereby make or conceive bud of finer