The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1908-02-28

President-A. l.. Chandler.
Vice Presldent-M. L. Peterson.
Sec. and Treas-Mrs F. d. Clarke.
W. f. Alexander was called upon and
asked the club members to put their
money for stamps in their mail boxes in
dishes or boxes and if possible buy a
few extra stamps and have their letters
stamped before they are dropped into
the mail boxes on their rural routes.
w. j. Hills read paper on How We
Used to Make Money on the Farm. -
He referred to the early cutting of
timber to secure ready money-frst the
white timber or oak for slaves, then the
Eastwood for bolts, then timber for ties
and the birch and maple for various
purposes, and then some Of all kinds for
stove wood. All these made revenue
while clearing the farm. Then wheat
was the best cash crop for years, and
Michigan was and is a leading dairy
state, was very early-in spots Then
many kept sheep-probably nine out of
ten, getting good prices for wool; clov-
er seed was easy money and many crops
have followed with money-making
streaks.
The 'fraternal" subject was taken up
and Earl Stone was called on to talk for
Pomona Grange. He said he did not
know just was expected of him, but
told of the founding of the Grange in
Washington, ID. c., AZ years ago, how
it spread like wildfre, but failed at first
to make real successful impression,
then came reorganization on system
attic basis by subordinate, county, state
and national organizations. Its chief
object is to educate its members and
their families. It has put many good
laws on the statute books, claims the
credit for starting rural mail delivery,
has taught and is teaching thousands
Of young people to be public readers,
speakers and writers. He said the mail
order house was started by the Grange
and endorsed its patronage. He
thought the Grange should be substi-
tuted for clubs.
President Chandler said Mr.. Stone
had misunderstood the topic somewhat.
1t was not Which is the Better Organ
ization," but "How Can All Farmers
Organizations Work Together For the
Most Benefit to the Members2" He dis
agreed decidedly on the mail order
house matter, saying, in the long run
the farmer would get much the worst
of the bargain.
Fred Love for Owosso Grange said
both clubs and Grange were doing good |
work in their lines, that in unity there |
was strength. He thought the clubs |
took up the strictly social part as their
chief object, while the Grange was try
ing to cover business, education and |
social matters. He urged that more
law makers should come from the farm |
boys should be trained to be capable
TO fill the positions. The Oranges
great advantage over other secret or
lers was that the whole family are
members.
Mrs. Eta Killian not being present |
10 talk Ifor the Cleaners" Theo. j.
Hicks was called on. He said the |
Cleaners were unlike the rest and had |
ts own field in that it carried an in
feature. His understanding of |
the difference socially had been that the
clubs were the "aristocrats" and the
other organizations the "trash," but
has never believed in this classification.
The farmer had just walked up to try to
raise himself socially, financially and
morally by organization and education.
Hon. A. B. Cook being sick, Hon.
VIM. M. Fitzpatrick was asked to talk
If the new constitution and handled the
subject in most able and thorough |
manner and his talk will be the means
IF having the matter understood early
n its proper light. The only limit to the
egislature'spower to make laws was the
constitution. The constitution was the
will of the people and was made by the
delegates selected to act for the whole
people as though they met in one grand
BODY. The new document was not
ust as the people of one community
would have it, but was as nearly per-
ect as the peoples representatives could
gree to make it-that is different parts
# the state wanted different provisions
nd they agreed to the best on every
ubject they could get. The question
ow is, Where is it better than the
Id or present constitution 1t does
way with local legislation, making it
ossible for every community to decide
y its own vote how it will be governed
r how it will handle many matters in I,
tead of having special acts passed by
le legislature. This would shorten {
ne legislative session fully one third
nd prevent the holding up of members I
nd compelling them to vote for unde. a
rable laws in order to get some bill
trough in which the people of his dis :,
let are interested. Township roads