The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1909-12-30
Maine State Grange.
The Annual Session Held in Bangor De-
cember 21st, 22nd and 23rd. Stetson
Reelected Master. The Order is

fTOSpef1ng.
The 18th annual session of the Maine
grange opened in city hall, Bangor, De-
cemper list, with every grand officer
present and more than 1000 members in
attendance.
Sec +. d. Libby's report showed the
total membership in Maine to be 433
subordinate oranges, with Sc, $50 men,
bers. Houlton Is is the banner grange
with l0O1 members. Caribou is second
with 562 members and Skowhegan third
with 4S3. Eight new oranges were or
ganized during the year.
Treas. +. f. Additions report showed
a balance of $500 in the treasury.
A resolution was adopted protesting
against the reduction of the tax on oleo-
margarine
Jeremiah Cronin of Bangor, sixth vice
president OF the cigarmakers' interna-
tional union, was allowed to address the
meeting as citizen and spoke on child
labor and antitrust measures and urged
the support of the union label,
State Master C. S. Stetson in his an
nual address placed considerable impor-
lance upon the work of the pomona
oranges and urged that subordinate
oranges formulate a definite plan of
work and not place too much dependence
upon the amusement features to keep up
interest. He regarded the field meet
lngs OF great Importance and paid COM
pllment to Mortimer Whitehead of New
Jersey, whose work in Maine. he said
had been of much value. Mr.. Stetson
advocated higher salaries for teachers.
He criticised the national commission On
the improvement of country life and said
It's report consists of unrelated and
largely worthless material.
The scope, character and arrange
ment of the questions asked by the com
mission, =" he added, ''show lack of com.
prehension of the facts involved and an
equal misconception of what can be done
to improve conditions. The commission
has made it clear that the rear platform
OF a rapidly moving pullman car is not
suitable standpoint from which to study
the farmers of the country or a proper
altitude from which to get we'll consider
ed views OF their surroundings, social
habits, intellectual status, financial con-
dltlon or value as citizens.
II these gentlemen had seen fit to tell
US now TO improve our homes in their To-
cation, appointments. service and prod
uct, we would forgive them for emitting
many pages destitute of helpful sugges-
tons.
While the report as a whole is dis
couraging, the worst part is that it has
indefinitely postponed intelligent study
OF these great problems by competent
students and by this delay has done a
continuing injury to farmers.
Il wish to protest against injustice
that has been done our people by mis-
representations that will lead to MANY
wrong judgments. -
Speaking of the parcels post and postal
savings banks Mr.. Stetson described as
brutal seltishness the opposition by mon
eyed interests and urged the farmers to
stand as unit in urging their congress
men to support the measures. He urged
strongly direct primaries and elections
and said two courses lie open to US. We
may continue to ratify the nomination
made by the bosses or we may control
the elections.
He spoke at considerable length upon
the vlctimizing of farmers by fraudulent
schemes, in conclusion saying: cit is safe
to assume that strangers are not making
large sacrifices of effort and money that
we may get rich quick.
I'VE shall have learned some of life's
best lessons when we are persuaded there
is no honest or safe way of getting, rich
quick; that it pays to pay dollar for
dollars worth of material and that it is
an expensive obligation to become re-
sponsible for the support of professional
swindlers.''
At the evening session there was ex-
emplification of unwritten work and an
illustrated lecture on the New England
fruit show in Boston by Prof. E. F.
Hitchings.
The most of the second days session
of the Maine grange was taken up with
the elections of officers, there being sew
eral contestants. For master, C. S.
Stetson of Alta was reelected, receiv-
ing 542 of the 583 votes.
4 For overseer, E. C. Patten of Topsham
defeated Boyden Bearce Of Eddington.
candidate for reelection, on the second
ballot by vote of 453 to 367.
For lecturer B. Walker McKeen of
Fryeburg won, with 1872 votes to 1873 for
Mrs. Kate Ellis of Fairfield and Sc for
W. G. Hunter of Damariscotta
I For steward, D. G. Hall of West Eden
was reelected, with SIS out of 565 votes,
and for assistant steward, A. L. Roberts
of Kennebunk succeeded E. C. Patten.
For chaplain, Rev, J. H. Little of
South Paris was unanimously reelected
and E. E. Addition of Greene received
unanimous reelection for treasurer. For
secretary, E. H. Libby of Auburn had
no opposition, and gatekeeper S. K.
Cushman of Steuben was unanimously
reelected.
For lady assistant steward, Mrs. A. L.
Roberts of Kennebunk was elected on
the second ballot. Mrs. Kate Ellis of
Fairfield was elected ceres, Mrs. E. C.
Patten of Topsham pomona and Mrs. C.
S. Stetson of Alta flora.
For the executive committee there
were several ballots. Edward Evans of
Belfast was reelected chairman. L. E.
futile Of Houlton defeated Columbus
Hayford On the second ballot and John
Alden of Bowdoin was elected to finish
the unexpired term of L. w. Dyer, de-
ceased.
At the morning session a resolution
was passed fixing the price of sweet corn
at not less than 1-2 cents pound and
declaring that it will be better to plant
yellow corn until the demand is met.
Resolutions were also adopted demand
ing the immediate adoption of a parcels
post law and urging that pomona and
subordinate oranges take up for Discus
sion and consideration the suggestions in
the report of the grand master
Another resolution was adopted indoors
ing the action of the State master and
Maine delegates at the last session of the
! national grange in seeking for a more
/ a6I1al ron hot