Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1908-02-28
THE GRANGE.
Secretary for Washington relIs of
Benefits 10 Be Derived

Benefits 10 Be Derived
By Fred W. Lewis Secretary Washington State
Grange, Tumwater. Washington.
The Grange has, for forty years,
stood for the upliftment CT the farmer,
and we only have to look back, over
its history, to see what it has accom-
plished for us.
1t is to the Grange that we owe the
rural mail delivery, the oleomagarine
bill. the denatured alcohol law, and in
many states it has forced the passage OF
better tax laws, and other laws that
assist in giving the farmer the benefits
OF his labor.
Nor is the work OF the Grange alone
directed to the urging the passage of
laws. 1t becomes needful to prevent
the passage IT some laws that would be
detrimental tc the best interests of the
farmer, and that is part of the work
the Grange does.
Space will not permit noe to 60 into
details, but anyone may obtain the de.
tails by asking for them.
Although we take an interest in the
legislative work of our people, We also
benefit them in many ways besides.
To the young man and woman, We
offer chance to gain pleasure and
profit in the meetings Of the Grange, as
we carry On our meetings in strict par
liamentary manner, providing we get
the right person for Master, and 80 give
them chance tn learn how such work
is done. We also have literary pro-
grams, providing we get the right per-
con for Lecturer, and 30 give them a
chance to practice speaking in public,
and appearing on the rostrum before an
audience, all OF which 10 a benefit 10
any young or, in fact, an older person,
too, in these times of public awakening
To the father and mother, who are
the providers for family, it gives them
chance to purchase their needed sup
plies in connection with their brothers
and sisters, and 80 gain the advantage
that is to be derived from wholesale
dealing.
To the home owner, 1t provides a cafe
and sure, as well az cheap insurance for
his property, and any member of the
Grange, who is attached to any subor.
dinate Grange is entitled to that benefit
Our insurance is carried at exact cost
and we are laying by no surplus to be
lost by poor Investments, OF by the dis.
honesty OF the officers, but we keeI
enough on hands at all times 80 that
we can pay all losses promptly, upon
the proof being sent in.
In life insurance we have none tc
offer that will answer the demands o
the great majority of our patrons, but
we are working on plan, that will ul
timately furnish us life insurance at
we'll as property insurance, and or
the same basis, that Of actual cost.
In the line OF purchasing and selling
we are not as well organized as We
would like to be, but as the dealers are
all in combines, and the commission
men are all united by common consent
it behooves US, as farmers, to combine
il We would protect our own interests
and obtain the just rewards for our
labor and enjoy the better accommoda-
tions that we might have if we could
obtain the real fruits Of our labors.
In the Grange we place woman where
she belongs, on an equality with man,
and so make our order truly eocial
one, and our Grange work includes the
enjoyment of the fruits Of our labors, as
we'll as the education Of the mind, and
the guarding OF the purse.
In conclusion let me state the pur-
poses Of the Grange, as Get forth in the
declaration of purposes adopted by the
founders OF the order:
To develop higher and better man.
hood and womanhood among ourselves.
To enhance the comforts and attractions
of the home, and strengthen our attach
ments to our pursuits. To foster mu.
tual understanding and cooperation.
To maintain inviolate our laws, and to
emulate each other in labor, to hasten
the good time coming. To reduce out
expenses, both individual and corpor-
ate. To buy less and produce more in
order to make our farms self sustaining.
To diversity our crops, and to crop no
more than We can cultivate. To con-
dense the weight of our exports, selling
less in the bushel and more in hoof and
in fleece, and less in lint and more in
warp and wool. To systematic our
work and calculate intelligently on
probabilities. To discountenance the
credit system, the mortgage system,
the fashion system, and every other
system that tends to prodigality and
bankruptcy.
We propose meeting together, talk
ing together, working together, buying
together, selling together, and in gen.
eral, acting together for our mutual
protection and advancement.
II we, as farmers. become organized,
we have the power to ask for what we
want and to get it, because we have the
numbers, and all thaG is required is the