Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1905-12-21
VERMONT GRANGE.
a4th Annual Meetins--Notable Res
olutions Adopted.

The 34th annual meeting OF the Vermont
State Grange was held in Montpelier Tues
day, Wednesday and Thursday Of last
week, and was called one OF the most sue
cessful In the history of the order both as
regards attendance, interest and the size
ard quality Of the class initiated, 50 TAX
ing the sixth degree.
The first days session opened with re-
ports of the treasurer and secretary. The
former showed the finances IN a flourish
ing condition, over 5000 having been re-
ceived during the year. According TO the
secretary's report, there have been organ
ized during the year % new subordinate
and two Pomona oranges, with mem
bership Of 1000. OF tine number the state
master, Governor Bell, has personality or
gained 16 subordinate and the two Po-
mona oranges. The order now numbers
123 oranges and has total enrolment Of
10000 members. OF the total number, 70
oranges number over 100 members each,
BrattleborO heading the list with 424 mem
bers.
Governor Bells address given in the aft
ernoon touched upon many points and re-
iterated the unanimous adherence that the
Grange maintains to its demands for legis-
lation along eleven lines. The demands
are ~ Extension of the rural mail service
on the same permanent basis as city mail
delivery; amendment to the United States
constitution providing for the election OF
United States senators by direct vote OF
the people, power TO Congress to regulate
and control corporations and eombina-
tions in restraining trade or establishing
prices; increase of power to the Interstate
Commerce commission to determine what
charges shall be made, its findings to be
Immediately operative and continue so
until overruled by the courts; regulation
of the use Of shoddy; the enactment oil
pure laws; extension OF markets for farm
products equally with manufactured arti-
cles; an antitrust Law; a parcels-post,
telephone and telegraph service IN con-
nection with the mail service; national
aud state aid for the improvement OF pub
lie highways; a tax law compelling al
property to bear its just proportion OF the
public burden.
A resolution, commencing the official
acts Of Governor Bell both as governor OF
the state and worthy master OF the Grange
was unanimously adopted. II expressed
admiration for his stability Of purpose ~
maintaining the laws Of Vermont, and
assured him OF brotherly sympathy and
A memorial service was held "Wednesday
morning IN honor Of l.. n. Cragin OF
Springfield, chairman OF the executive
committee OF the State Grange, who was
instantly killed by a falling tree the satur-
day before while at work in the woods on
his farm. The life and character OF Mr.
Cragin were eulogized in carefully pre-
pared addresses read by Mrs. Z. +. smith
d. II. Morse, II. W. Sargent and Z. A.
Bump. Governor Bell spoke feelingly OF
the deceased. Formal resolutions express
sive OF the appreciation felt for the yalu-
able services Of the deceased to the state
Grange, OF the high esteem in which he
was held as citizen and man, and OF deer
svmpathy for the bereaved family were
unanimously adopted.
Tuesday evening was given over 10 least
ing. and company OF go, made up OF del
egates, visiting members and friends OF
the order, sat down to a banquet IN tne
armory prepared by the ladies OF the Epis-
coual church. II. Il. daiusha OF south
R6yalton was POSTMASTER at the postpran-
dial exercises. and called upon the follow
ing toastmakers: 1.-THE Hostess-Mont'
pelier,n Mayor F. NJ. Cory; The Quest
Vermont state Grange O.. W Pierce o.
Rrattleboro; "The Goyernorship in Anti
eipation and Realization" Governor Bell
"fhe National Grange" eX-GoY' n >