Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1906-12-20
THE STATE GRANGE.
Annual Address of Worthy Maste
Geo. w. 4. Gaunt-


Grange of New Jersey, to present to
YOU as briefly as possible, the eondi-
fion of the order, TO recite the import
ant events of the past year that go 10
make Grange history, and especially
those events which relate to the mem
bership of New Jersey, the admlnistra-
tion and execution of Grange law and
the inculcation and dissemination OF
true Grange principles, as UNDERSTOOD
by us (trusting that future generations
may profit thereby.
7 welcome YOU to the thirty-fourth
animal session of the State Grange or
New Jersey. After a year OF labor IN
your own jurisdictions you have re-
assembled for mutual counsel; to re-
view the work Of the order; to over
look its situation; to regulate its oper
ations: to meet the requirements OF
its future. Never before have you
met under happier auspices; never pc
fore have you been greeted by brlgnt-
or prospects. Tho operations OF the
mast wear show a healthy develop
naent in all lines of work in our State.
Fhe growth is gradual. but have
every reason to believe, permanent.
New Oranges have been added to our
roll an increased membership mas
been renorted. Altogether, we have
every reason to be satisfied with the
results. and may justly congratulate
ourselves that we are Identified with
an organization that has done, and is
doing, so much to improve and elevate
the manhood and womanhood or us
members. and to raise the standard OF
citizenship within the boarders OF our
State.
Condition of the Order.
The reports from the various States
at the recent session of the National
Grange show the order to be IN very
prosperous condition, and the vast
membership scattered as 1t is over
thirty States would seem to US q Just
claim as a representative organization
forming a basis for the protection and
advancement of the American farmer.
rhe general increase in membership
in nearly every State is the best eVl-
dence that the order is destined TO ac-
eomplish in the near future still great
er achievements than it has in the past
The gain in membership has been at
tended by corresponding increase IN
influence in advancing legislation that
has been accorded consideration here
tofore unknown in legislative proceed
ingss Vigorous efforts have been put
forth the past year to extend the order
IN those States where it was not SO
we'll established. These efforts were
crowned with reasonable success and
the sentiment created has been favor
able for still further extension during
the coming year.
Condition of the Order in the State.
The great prosperity of the order
throughout the Nation is likewise true
of our own State, the past year wit
Messing the greatest increase in mem
bership ever recorded. New Subor-
dinate Oranges have been organized IN
11noccupied territory and all are IN
thriving condition, exemplifying to
those in their respective localities the
advantages of a real, live, up-to-date
farmers organization.
d number of dormant Oranges have
been reorganized thereby taking UP
the vacant numbers thus making ouI
roster more complete. The increase
IN membership md Oranges is not the
only cause for rejoicing. The inf1u
ence Of the meetings of these Subor
dinate Oranges in moulding public sen
fiment in favor of all that pertains tc
the advancement of the social, educa
fional and frateraal conditions Of the
community is the crowning event Of
fine years work The Grange has
heen a great factor in establishing con
fidence among farmers and thus pre-
naring them to enter into cooperative
schemes thereby reducing the cost o.
production and increasing our profits.
Subordinate Oranges.
During the past year have VISITED
more Subordinate Oranges than any,
nrevious year of my administration
# has been very gratifying to note th'
irnurovement in every branch OF tht
work. More interest has been takel
in exemplifying the beautiful and IN
structive lessons of the various de
grees. The Subordinate Oranges be
ing the foundation of our order upol
which our State and National bodie
depend, their Importance should not b.
lost sight of. they are the channe
through which the policies adopted b,
the National Grange flow to the mem
bership through our State and the Ma
tion. / have attended more than IL
Grange meetings in the various part
Of the country during the past yea
and my observations have led me t
fhis conclusion, in order for a Subol
dinate Grange to get the most goo
from their meetings there must b
some system whereby no time is lost i
useless labor. Let all labor and a.
time tend to improvement.
Duties of Masters.
The duties of Masters of State, Pt
mona and Subordinate Oranges ar
many and ofttimes perp1exing. Success
depends upon the manner in whic
these officers perform their duties an
execute the trust reposed in them. Tn
Master being the Executive head. NOR
depends upon him than other officer
in making the Grange success.
has been our constant aim to visit 9
many Subordinate and Pomona GTang
meetings as possible SO as to keep !
touch with the work and suggest as fa