The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1906-12-27

hibition law in Maine, would rath er
| my boy would take the chances of
growing up a temperate man, respect
able and respected, in some of those
States than in Maine, under such con-
dilions as | have witnessed in regard to
| the non enforcement of the law" This
| is brave statement, and it will be seen
that it is not an Indictment of the law
but of multiplying officials and of the
communities that tolerate notification.
| At the evening session the State
| Grange unanimously voted to hold its
! next annual meeting in Lewiston.
This action was taken at the close of a
rousing speech by Prof. l.. c. Bateman
of Auburn, who, in behalf of the Lewis
ton and Auburn Business Mems Asso-
citation, extended most cordial invita-
/ ton to the Maine Patrons of Husband
~ to meet in Lewiston in 1907. Dur
/ ing the evening the unwritten work of
( the order was eXemplified and musl-
cal and literary program given.
| Wednesday morning the Grange OPP
ened in the 4th degree and the standing
! committees were announced. Various
resolutions were introduced to be act
ed upon later. The report of the execu-
tive committee was read and adopted.
Mrs Fanny J. Fernald of Old Orchard,
president OF the Maine WOman'S Suf-
frage Association addressed the grange
and made plea for the cooperation OF
the Grange with the Suffrage AsSocia-
ton. She was given vote of thanks.
r. d. Leavitt of Auburn was reelected
member of the executive committee.
At the afternoon session W. j. Ryan of
Portland spoke in behalf of an institu-
ton for the blind, and resolution was
adopted entreating the members of the
Senate and House of Representatives
for 1907 to appropriate sum of money
to provide for an institution for the i'll
dustrial education of the blind. l.. G.
Bateman read a resolution on equal
suffrage which was also adopted at
once. This resolution advocates that
the Grange favor and endeavor to pro-
mote woman suffrage. An open session
followed and Mrs. Charles Atkinson of
Unity, the treasurer and founder OF the
Clark Publishing Co. of Boston, was
introduced and spoke briefly. Mr.. At
kinson, president of the Co. was also
half and spoke briefly Rev. II. E.
Dunnack of Augusta spoke on the
Initiative and Referendum. This he
said was imperatively demanded by the
people He called attention to the bill
which will be introduced at this term
of the Legislature, and noted the es-
sential facts. Such an organization as
this should give such measure its
support. He gave his reasons why the
initiative and referendum would better
conditions.
The report of the legislative commit
tee, stating the position of the Grange
on certain subjects, was presented
While the greatest advance of the
grange has been along moral, educa-
tonal and social lines, and the commit
tee does not recommend any relaxation
there, there are a few other important
topics. The following are cleaned
from this report.
We believe we should stand solidly
against the extravaganza, not to use a
harsher term, which in many cases
seems to be running riot in State, coun-
ty and town affairs.
This was spoken of chiefly from the
standpoint of State expenses, general
expenses being too large.
We believe that the towns should
manage their local affairs and them
selves pay for all expenses which they
incur for purely local benefits.
purposes, such as good schools, suitable
roads and bridges, the humane care OF
the poor, public charities, should be
borne to a greater extent by the State
and not by locality.
The problem of properly taxing the
wild lands would be largely solved If
fair valuation were placed upon them
and the State tax were increased to
cover some of the expenses named.
We believe that the principle of the
initiative and referendum is only the
carrying out in practice of our govern
ment by the people, and that its adop-
ton would be a long step toward safer
legislation.
In regard to the public road system
this committee recommends that the
State raise fair share of the road
funds. make an equitable distribution,
and the same be expended under the
Joint supervision of the State Highway
commissioners and the town officials.
Liberty Bennett Of Portland took ex-
ceptions to the portion of the report re-
lating to the taxation of wild lands.
He felt that the matter of taxing the
wild lands or fixing the valuation was
not rightly understood. He wanted the
grange to recommend change in the
constitution in order to put special
tax on wild lands, but was unanimously
voted down.
At the evening session the sixth de
gree was conferred upon a class of 364
candidates, while class of 10 took the
fifth degree.
The Grange was opened in form in
the fourth degree Thursday morn
ing. Reports Of deputies and COM
mittees we're made and miscellaneous
business was taken up. After a long
discussion the report of the committee
on wild land taxation was accepted.
The other matter under consideration
was an attempt to secure the reconsid-
Grafton of the action whereby it was de-
cided to meet at Lewiston next year.
The Grange stood by the first vote.
The afternoon and evening sessions
were devoted to miscellaneous business
matters and the enjoyment of an enter
tainment program. Adjourned at 1920
p. m.