Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1908-06-26
BAY STATE GRANGE.
Membership Over 23,ooo-state Master
Richardson Re- elected.

grunge tnlS year, ana IL proved 10 be u
worthy host. Lieutenant Governor
Draper represented the state at the
public reception and the mayor of Pitts
field the city. According to Secretary
Towards report, the grange member
snip of the Old Bay State has increased
1,126 the past year and now numbers
23, 100 in 212 subordinate oranges. The
treasurer reported SS,O93.72 in the treas
ury. In his annual address State Mas
ter Richardson said that the agricultur-
nj conditions are becoming more COM
| pick daily and there must be a more
complete form of cooperation in order
| to obtain and hold what are the just
| rights of the farmer. While the order
is not a business organization, yet it
| places proper emphasis on cooperation,
but not TO neglect the educational eff
| forts or the social side of the farmers
| life. There is general demand for
some modification of the conservatism
which colleges are throwing around
the subject of education, demand for
practical study of those subjects most
directly pertaining to the farmers life.
We favor, said he that kind of school
work best adapted to fit the pupil to
live larger and better life.
| Concerning taxation Mr.. Richardson
recommended that the grange select
committee from their ablcst students
on the problem and invest them with
power to carry forward an investiga-
ton in the different methods OF taxa
ton, so that they may present concise
~ and clearly the just claims OF the
rural taxpayer.
Speaking of highway improvements,
he remarked that, among other things,
the farmer living away from the di-
rect channel Of traffic has rights that
must not be overlooked. The influence
of the grange may well be directed to-
ward the extension of the state roads
away from the main thoroughfares.
Legislation was also demanded to pro-
tect the public against accidents caused
by the reckless driving of automobiles.
Relative to matters of legislation he
said the grange was no political or
ganization and yet is vitality interested
in good government and yet more in the
quality of the men who shall make the
| y
Patron the necessity for earnest and
continued activity in his own political
party In behalf of Just laws. OF the
press he said, without its assistance
our best success would be impossible.
and its service should be recognized"
State Lecturer Charles NJ. Gardner
presented a very comprehensive stats
teal report of the literary work done
in the subordinate oranges during the
year. 1t is briefly summarized as fol
lows: One thousand three hundred and
: fifty-six discussions and debates were
held, $3.50 persons participated in
same, ,402 papers were read by mem
bers, 2,4O1 persons discussed these pa
pers, 1,1S1 speakers gave addresses on
, various TOPICS 5.202 persons rendered
vocal selections, 5,240 persons gave
/ readings, 415 dramatic features were
carried out, 3,0S7 persons participated
in same, 1886 other lecture hour fea-
lures given, 14.607 persons furnished
these features. Total number Of per
sons contributing something to the lee
: ture hour of the year In Massachusetts
r oranges We're 4S.796; total combined
4 audience at the grange meetings OF the
year in the state 245.S05. There were
"a grange meetings devoted to the In
terests of the public schools and 1873
, grange meetings devoted to patriotic
' themes. Many grange meetings were
devoted to town and village improve
9 ment.
3 A question that called for consider
able discussion was that relative to
> the establishment Of grange depart
ment stores throughout the state, which
should be controlled by members Of
the Order, but should be open for sup
, plying Patrons and the general public
with merchandise. The proposition did
not meet with favor, and other plans
were suggested to the same end, one
being that special purchasing agent
y be appointed to buy goods in bulk
, and distribute them to members of the
Order. Another plan contemplated an
t arrangement with dealers in grain,
feed and general farm supplies by
which the lowest price might be Sc
cured. The whole matter was referred
to a committee of three, of which the
overseer Of the state grange, John E.
Clifford. was appointed chairman.
Among the resolutions adopted were
those favoring tho organization of To-
cal COW testing associations among
z dairymen in order that only profitable
: COWS may be kept, favoring uniform
!. standard for milk, demanding total
Of 1212 per cent of solids, of which
1856 per cent should be butter fat, In
dorsing the good roads movement and
opposing the reckless driving of auto
mobiles on public highways. The sixth
degree was conferred on a class Of
over 300 Charles D. Richardson was
neglected state master.
A Splendid Tribute.
The Philadelphia North American
aaUS a1ftOriall- fhot ba crrappa ia the