The National tribune., 1908-11-19
THE NATIONAL GRANGE.
Born In Washington so Years Ago
Comes Back to First Lo'e-heceives
Splendid Wclcome-Most OF sessions
Sccret-Two Charter Members fre-

Splendid Wclcome-Most OF sessions
Secret-Two Charter MEMBERS fre-
seutcd. pg
The National Grange has been meet
ing in its annual session in washington
during the past week. and mlshly ieW
OF its members knew, untii they Tvacheu
here. that the organization, like so
many others thai have grown TO the
stature of National bodies, was porn
right here in Washington
The organization took place in 1868,
and 1t was known as Potomac Grange,
No. I. The, bylaws made any person
eligible TO membership who was en-.
gagged in agricultural or horticultural
pursuits. having no inimical interests,
and not under IA years of age. The
officers and ritualistic methods adopted
were practically the same as those now
In vogue, as the rules had been worked
out by master minds with great care.
The rules adopted then remain practi-
caily the same. additions having been
made, but the fundamental acts being
changed not at all. .-
The officers of this Grange included
some of the well-known citizens of
Washington at that time. The list fol-
lows:
Master, Norman ]. Coleman; Over
seer. Daniel S. Curtiss: Lecturer, John
r. thompson; Steward. Matthew Trim
Bile: Assistant Steward. Andrew Glass;
Chaplain. Rev. James T. Buck; Treas
urer. William Saunders: Secretary. VIM.
M. King: Gatekeeper, Walter T. Raub:
Ceres. Mrs. d. S. Curtiss: Pomona, Miss
Annie Raub; Flora. Miss Belle Saun-
ders: Lady Assistant Steward, Miss
Lizzie d. Raub.
Norman j. Coleman afterward be-
came the first Secretary of Agriculture,
the Cabinet office having been created
Just as Cleveland was retiring in 1889.
He served from Feb. 13, 1889, to March
s, 1889, when he was succeeded by Gen.
jerry M. Rusk, of Wisconsin
There were about $1,000 grangers in
attendance upon the National conven-
ton, representing 100000 members
thruout the Union. Among them We're
Mr.. 0. S. Kelley and Miss Carrie Hall,
the founders of the Grange, both living
in Washington and known as the
father" and the "mother" of the Or
der. They are two of the seven found
ers Of the Order now living. Miss Hall
was the organizer of the woman's body
OF Changers. Their presentation to the
convention was the occasion for an ova-
uon. Mr. Kelley spoke briefly of the
DeSlnnings, and how the organization
mad grown beyond anything he had
ever expected for It. An intermission
was then declared, that the delegates
founder,
The open meeting of the second day
was addressed by Mr.. Clifford Pinchot
on the Conservation of National Re
sources"
Gratifying State Reports.
The State reports presented wer.
most gratifying to the convention, as
was shown by the constant applause
which greeted those from 80 States,
each seeming to be little better than
the last. The baby" Grange has Just
been organized in Idaho Maine re-
ported membership Of $4,000, with
things booming everywhere. Califor-
MIA reported tremendous strides and
much favorable State legislation. In
Indiana, one of the first homes of the
Grange, 10, new Oranges have been
added during the past year. Massachu-
sets has membership of $4,000. New
Hampshire reports membership of
10000. In all there are 353 Oranges
in the 80 States
Mr.. Nathan ]; Bachelor, Master Of
the National Grange. made a stirring
address. He said, in part:
Thru the efforts of the officers of
the National and State Oranges, sun
by the efforts of an active
and harinoonious membership. larger
number of subordinates has been or
ganized In the country than in any year
since 1878. with one year excepted. rep-
every State entitled to repre-
sentation in the National Grange The
increase in membership is about 10 Der
cent, which Is remarkable showing,
In view OF the fact that the organiza-
ton has passed the period of expert
mentation, and is building upon the
well-est ablished basis of recognized
merit and substantial achievement"
Objects of the Order.
In conclusion, Mr. Bachelor said:
THE platform of the Grange, based
upon previous unanimous action of the
body. is as follows:
Federal appropriation for highway
Improvement
Establishment of a rural and gen.
eral parcels post
Establishment of postal savings
banks
Equitable revision of the tariff.
Election Of United States Senator's
by direct vote.
Construction of waterway from
the Great Lakes to the Atlantic sea-
board.
"Liberal appropriation for the es.
tablishment of farm schools.
Laws protecting legitimate busi-
ness enterprises and furnishing business
1t will be seen that the address Of
the Master was addressed very IargeI..
to politics, and what would be asked Fl
Congress and the various State Le.sis-
latures. 1t is well known that H..
State Oranges in some sections ba,,
been able to demand and secure a great
deal of legislation. and that II is thr
province of the Grange to demand n
good deal of Legislatures and of Con
gress. In view of this the address of |,
Secretary of Agriculture Wilson wa
of shock as to a few OF :
his recommendations, for he declar,
that keeping out OF politics was ti..
of the Grange.
Secretary Wilson declared that sf
the Agricultural Department had tai.
up the growth and culture of rice IL
had been proven that We could gro.
400, 900 times as much on q piece uf
and as Chinaman could.
The Sugar-Bcet Industry.
Concerning the sugar-beet indpstry
the Secretary said the product this veay
will be 100000 tons.
Wherever the sugar beet IS grown
here should be a denatured alcohol
1istillery." he said. $50 in the Sonth
where the yam : Is grown SO largely
Many waste farm products can be used
n making denatured alcohol. This
matter of producing alcohol for indus
RAJ purposes Shall push with all my
power, for when I get an idea into my
head 1t Is very difficult to get it out. /
Mt n Il 4