Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1910-01-27
THE NATIONAL GRANGE
Comments on important Fea-
lures of the Annual Meeting.
Proportional Representation Again De-
feated-Outline Of Resolutions Adopt
ed-Finsnces Of the Granee-EIection
Especial correspondence

la, last month, measured up we'll in
point of accomplishments with previ-
Gus meetings of the kind. The resolu-
tons that were adopted were for the
most part conceived in the highest in
terests of the Order, and those which
relate to our great national policies,
such as the tariff. taxation, transpor-
tation and our larger agricultural in
terests. will find general approval by
the state and subordinate oranges.
There was Il more general discus
sion of the resolutions when presented
than usual. Fewer. it seemed TO us,
were referred TO committees. More
called for immediate discussion and
action. The discussion on taxation. in
volving the two prominent issues,
classification" and uniform rate" &C.
cupied nearly all of an afternoon SEES
sion and came up on a resolution sent
up from the Kentucky state grange
and not following the report OF the
committee on taxation, as might have
been anticipated. While it is no doubt
wise TO refer many subjects presented
in resolutions TO committees appointed
for their consideration, who may give
considerable time and thought TO for
muating the grange position in regard
TO them. we all know that III state
grange as well as national these COM
mittee reports come in at the close
of the session. and in the usual rush
to get through and get away adequate
discussion is rarely given commit
tees report We believe in discussing
many subjects that are presented for
the consideration of delegates at our
when they are presented in the form
of resolutions. even though they are
afterward referred to committees.
The matter of proportional represen-
tation that was expected TO divide the
state masters more equally than it did
proved to be decidedly one sided when
the vote was taken. The Michigan
plan of giving two additional votes for
each 10000 Of membership above the
first 10000 was again presented; also
another known as the federal plan,
the essence of which is that each state
shall be entitled to representation by
one voting member for every 10000
members in the state and every voting
member shall be entitled 10 an alter
nate in case of his own absence; that
what is known as the representative
vote shall be used on all ordinary Oc-
casionS. the state vote only when de
handed. and when it is demanded
tn Two MI St %
must be cast before a measure can be
declared carried. This combined vote
is to be used at the election Of officers
and on changes in the constitution.
Should a state be represented by only
one person that state shall be entitled
to one other representative 10 be elect
ed 10y the state grange or appointed by
the state grange executive committee.
Neither plan was adopted. We may
add il is doubtful if either ever will
be. There were many resolutions of
large public interest adopted, and the
reports of the committees were eX-
ceedingly able and Instructive. Postal
savings banks and the parcels post
system were demanded, ship subsidies
strongly opposed: in road Improvement
the market roads should receive first
attention; ON the question OF taxation
the uniform rate system found APP
proyal, 10 property 90 be exempt;
committee on cooperation, national in
scope. was appointed; protection for
monopolies or for those who sell i'm
foreign markets for less than is de-
manded I'm our own was opposed; in
dorsement Of eX-Presideut Rooseyelt's
conservation policy was voted; liberal
appropriations by congress for the sup
port Of agricultural extension depart
ments in agricultural colleges were
asked: $1,000 a year for two years was
voted for the partial support of the
national grange organ. This outlines
briefly only Il part OF the measures
approved 10y the national grange.
The finances of the national grange
are in good shape. The total assets
were S11J.S21 % on oct. /, and since
that date this amount has been in
creased about $1,000 by dues from
state oranges that did not report pre-
vious TO Oct !. The national master
reports that no funds of the national
grange have been lost through invest
ment or otherwise and that the treas
urer's books had been audited every
year by the executive committee and
the list of securities found intact.
These funds are invested in loans upon
real estate 20 the amount of S5O.795.29.
amply secured: also Sf5.G6S.I1 is in
vested in municipal and railroad bonds
of unqueStioned value. S9D20.54 is de-
posted in savings banks and the bal
ance I'm smaller amounts I'm safe com
panies. In view of the fact that the
management of the financial invest
ments of the national grange had been
questioned and criticised. an Investigate
ing committee was appointed which.
after careful examination of the
condition and security of the funds of
the order. reported that it found
all investments to have been wisely
made and commended the acumen of
the men who secured the investments.