Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-12-18

| Lewiston, Me, Dec. 1.-THE Gath an
nual meeting of the Maine State
! Grange was formally opened today by
| State Master Obadiah Gardner Of
] Rockland, who for five terms of two
years each has been at the head of the
| order in this State.
| The forenoon was devoted to the
opening of the convention, while the
annual address of the State master
| and reports of officers and committees
| occupied the attention of the Patrons
| at the afternoon session.
State Master Gardner appointed the fol-
| lowing committee on credentials and or
der of business: e. II. Libby, w. Il. Mad
dell, Fred T. Emery and Sisters Mrs. VIM.
| II. Douglass, Mrs. C. r. Babb and r. NJ.
| Loring.
A feature of interest as usual will be
| the election of officers, and especially
OF state master. Mr.. Gardeners re-
election will be opposed by C. S. Stet-
| son of Greene. The election will take
place tomorrow.
| AT 10 o'clock this morning nearly 1000
voting delegates were present.
The forenoon was largely devoted to
| routine work and appointing commit
| tees. Hon. Mortimer Whitehead Of New
Jersey was present and delivered an
| address that created great enthusiasm.
| He said that Wadsworth of New York.
| Gros"enor of Ohio, Dryden of New Jer-
Sey and others had been eliminated
| from Congress by the Grange and 9TH
ers would follow. Those who remained
| now listened to Grange committees.
| State Master Gardeners address
shows a gain of Il subordinate
Oranges during the year. During the
| 10 years of his service as master, the
Grange has grown from 21,515 Septem-
Der, 1897. 10 55.016. a growth not
equalled by any other state in the
| Union one in every II persons in Maine
belongs to the Grange. His report ad-
vocates the Parcels post laws as APP
proved by United States Postmaster
| General Won Meyer and includes a crit
| icisrn of the express companies for op-
| potion thereto. The establishment of
postal savings banks is also advocated.
He submitted the draft of a new bill
to amend Chapter 173 of Names Spe-
cial Laws of 1907 which he considers
1
The proposed amendment substitutes
"the first Monday in February next af-
ter said tax was assessed" in place OF
the first Monday in December next
after, etc.
He suggested also a resolution to the
effect that Inheritance taxes should De
reserved wholly for the use of the sew
eral states: also that there be interstate
comfy on taxation So that the same
property be not taxed by two jurisdic-
tons He opposed the project to tax
the cut of lumber instead of the wild
lands themselves. He opposed the re-
moyal of the State Capital from Angus
Is as entailing needless expense. He
espoused education, good roads, the
initiative and referendum, agriculture
and forestry, and closed his address
| with a sharp reply to certain criticisms
on Grange management. This, he treat
ed under the heading of Grange
graft" showing that as master he hao
received but an average of $3.50 year
for salary ard $1.85 per day for eX-
penses.
The reports of Lecturer W. J. Thomp
son, Secretary f. C. Libby. Treasurer l.
E. Addition executive COMMITTEES, +.
Leavitt chairman. and auditing commit
tee were all read and accepted
NJ l.. Merrill, chairman of the leSlSla
tive committee, in his report noted th'
accomplished objects of the Nationa
Grange as well as the State Grange, an'
then referred to the fact that this com
mittee opposed the removal Of the STATE
capital at the last session Of he Legs
lature. giving the reasons why this wa:
dome. In closing. Mr.. Merrill referred t.
the fact that his resignation had beeI
handed to the State master, as owing u
other business he could not attend to thu
duty longer.
ZIP. Mayo in behalf of the city OF wa
terviIle invited the Grange to hold It's an
anal session next wear in that city. Thi
;nvitation was referred to the executive
committee.
The evening was devoted almost entireN
IA the exemplifcation Of the unwrlttel
y-orl, of the Grange and its meaning ID.
Mortimer Whitehead.
| purinc. the morning hour the annu;'
meeting of the Patrons COOPERATIVE as
ISOLATION was held in the De"itt ho'e
and the following officers were eiocte"
Directors. Eli HodCkns OF Greene - II
George of Hebron and II. $. Sh'"tll'l
, North Yarmouth; Pres, Eli ti2aSk'hS