Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1908-03-13
Patrons of Husbandry In Session
at HorneII.
ORDER GROWS IN STRENGTH.
State Master Godfrey's Annual Ad-
dress-Need of Agricultural Edues-
ton Emphasized-Importsnt Matters
Considered-Officers Elected.

|
al education and regretted that the
grange scholarships given by the state
grange do not seem to be appreciated
by young men and women as there
were only nineteen who tried the ex-
animation the past year and only four
of the six scholarships awarded were
made use of. He thought that this
was largely due to a misunderstanding
of the terms and conditions. He rec
commended that the legislature be ask
ed to appropriate certain sum annual
| ~ to maintain agricultural schools
either Independently or in connection
with universities.
The State Fair.
Concerning state fairs he recommend
ed that the state fair commission be
reduced in numbers and that its men,
bers be paid reasonable salary (they
are now working gratultously) and
that they be made responsible for the
expenditure Of moneys appropriated in
the construction of the new buildings
contemplated.
Mr.. Godfrey spoke with great force
concerning the present method of con-
Quoting the county fairs. In many in
stances, he said. they were an insult to
the farmers by the indecent shows al
lowed on the grounds and the iniqui-
tous race track gambling carried on.
He hoped that the state grange would
make it so evident to the legislature
that it will not countenance race track
gambling that they will not dare turn
down the bill now before it and APP
proved by the governor to put stop
to this infamous business.
State Master Godfrey said that there
were 40 grange halls owned by
oranges in the state with total valua
ton of over $36O.00O.
The Road Question and Barge Canal.
Concerning the road improvement
question. he said that great care and
judgment should be exercised in plan
ming improvements to save useless
waste Improve the. roads leading to
market from every direction within the
zone naturally contributory to each
city. town or railway station rather
than try and connect one place with
another largely in the interests of auto
mobilists.
In regard to the barge canal, Mr..
Godfrey remarked that there is no
valid reason why this state should
burden itself in building and maintain
ing what at it's best can prove only an
inadequate makeshift. The speaker
commended the attitude of Superin-
tendent Stevens toward the barge canal
| tn, hn
speaker favored legislation for the par
cells post postal savings banks, for
preservation of forests and to relieve
real estate from double taxation. In
closing he said, The influence OF the
grange has become a powerful factor
in matters Of state and national I'M
port. and we should studlously refrain
from any action that may tend to for
felt the respect of those who now look
to it for wise direction"
State Secretary's Report.
State Secretary w. n. Giles submit
ted the following statistical report:
The total number of oranges Jan. l,
1907. was 636; organized during the
year, 40; dormant, 3. The total num-
There has been a net gain during the
year of CLIO members. The total
actual membership Oct. /, 1907, was
1851. The counties having the largest
numbers of oranges are as follows. all
of which have thirty or more: Chau-
tauqua 80, membership 5,342; Steuben
80, membership 294S; jefferson 33.
membership 6,9S3; Oswego 30. mem
bership 4.422: st. Lawrence 49, mem
bership 1898. Seven juvenile oranges
have been organized. two within the
past year The total number of Pomo-
ma oranges in the state is forty five.
and only seven grange counties are
without Pomonas now. The secretary's
financial statement showed receipts for
the year of $23,299 AZ and like amount
paid over to the treasurer.
Committee Reports.
The committee on cooperation and
trade suggested that more should be
done in the matter of cooperation
among members of the Order They
believed that If each subordinate
grange would choose representative
to cooperate with all other oranges in
the county and appoint a county buyer
and seller that cooperation would be
more practicable.
The legislative committee, Hon. +.
p. Norris. chairman. expressed per-
sonal thanks and the pride and pleas
ure Of the state grange at the courtesy
extended 10 the grange through its
committee by Governor Hughes. Lieu
tenant Governor Chanler, Speaker
Wadsworth. chairmen of the various
committees. heads of departments. etc.
at Albany. They recounted steps TAX
en- to secure good roads by the legisla-
ture last year the grange bills being
favorably acted upon by both houses
and approved by the governor. Com
, mittee also referred to the fact that
| the grange could not support either