The independent-reporter., 1909-12-23

The Maine Patrons or HnsDandry
have had royal good time at Ban
gor this week. The Monday evening
reception was rather an elaborate af-
fair and then ended In a dance. This
was something a bit out of the ordi-
nary but it was thought that the
young people would like this feature
better than a literary entertainment
and probably such was the fact. AT
the same time there was much of the
literary, also, so all tastes were sat
isfied Mayor Woodman. President
Fellows of U. of NJ. State Master C.
S. Stetson and Chairman Blanding
were speakers, and after the speaking
came a concert by the Bangor band.
TUESDAYS MEETINGS.
The first session of the convention
opened in City hall Tuesday morning
at 10 O'Clock. The roll call of Off
GERS after the opening in the fifth de-
gree showed all present. Closing in
the fifth and opening In the fourth the
appointment of committees was pro-
ceeded with and the order of bust
ness as proposed adopted. The at
tendance was over 1000.
The State Masters address was the
feature of the morning session. He
briefly discussed Pomona Oranges as
centers of power and the value of
Field days as agencies promoting re-
spect for the Grange.
The importance of Agriculture as
i,1in 10
to the equity of apportionment Of
taxation were briefly mentioned and
the listeners referred to the reports
of committees appointed to deal with
these themes.
Our present school system was
spoken of as embodying much of great
value as well as including not a lit
tie that should be eliminated. 1T
has always been true" said the speak
er, that all education deals with
things and thought The study of
both is necessary to the development
of the student" Nature
can not be helpfully taught in the
schools until teachers have a broad
and accurate knowledge of the sub
ject. 1t must include both a study
of the thing and books"
OF the direct primaries and cleo
tions, he said:
THE political boss is the most vi
cious product of the methods used in
administering our government. Pe
is the quintessence of selfishness AM
dishonesty and Is destitute of loyalty
to ideals, principles or associates,
when they have been squeezed dry.
HIS thought and effort are governed
by the single What is
there in it for me?
"One of the purposes of government
Is to furnish such opportunities for
training, in its administration, as will
make better citizens of the elector-
ate If these functions are assumed
by few the mass suffers by loss of
the means of growth. To select ones
rulers compels reading and analysis.
1t requires the exercise of the 1udg-
ment and development of the sense
of responsibility. In the end 1t will
help to make men of even not very
promising material. The process may
yield many unfortunate results but 1t
pays because the citizen learns his
lesson from his mistakes and is thus
prepared for better service.
No system of selecting officials
can elevate to places of trust persons
more grossly unfit for public service
than are many of those elected at
the dictates of manipulators of our
caucuses. The present system de-
cides what officials voters may en-
dorse by the travesty of an election.
The people should take the matters
of nominations and election of United
States Senators into their own hands
for the following reasons: Such ac-
ton will make it impossible for pro-
fessional politicians and other cor
ruptionists to name the candidates
for Office 1t will insure publicity as
to the fitness of aspirants for official
honors 1t will help to render the
people more competent to judge of
the merits of those who aspire to
serve as rulers and the exercise OF
this power will become a school for
the education of all the people in the
duties and responsibilities of citizen
ship.
Two courses lie open to us. We
may continue to ratify the nomina-
tions made by the bosses or we may
control the elections. We will choose
the latter alternative as soon as we
come to a realizing sense of our pow
er and duty. We will not be dis
suaded from our efforts II mistakes