Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-12-20

our policy, if we are to hold a position
which appeals to thinking people. these
problems must receive our deliberate
attention. We must operly. fearlessly
and honestly champion the right. and
as fearlessly oppose and condemn the
wrong.
Another measure discussed at these
meetings was the Direct Primary bill
which has since been endorsed by
referendum vote of 10000 to 2O0O0
This result proves how unutterably
tired the people of Maine had become
of former methods OF nominating
candidates.
These organizations long since
passed beyond the experimental stage
1t is now expected they viii strike
their gait and do definite. coptinuous
work.
The call for entertainments should
meet with an intelligent response and
the quality accepted should be such as
10 place them above criticism. The
literary hour should be rich with the
best that culture and genius have be-
aueathed us. No Grange program is
complete without music's sweet mel
odies. 1t is it's own best champion.
Special days and particular subjects
should be allotted their merited share
of time. All these items belong in
the Grange and should be given their
due share of attention.
If the Grange limits itself to these
things exclusively the span. : of its
prosperity will not reach far into the
future. 1t must have a policy gov
erning its fundamental work. This
will be wrought out with great care.
When selected, this serious task win
be its reason for being and will feed
the fountains of its existence
Every Grange should select some
problem To solve and stay with it IN
til its solution is completed and the
fruits of these studies are available to
every member.
The American farmer comes in d.
rect competition with all markets in
the production and disposal of his sta
pile crops. He has every reason for
expecting the protection as to markets
and transportation as are granted any
other industry. 1t is pleasure To
state that the department OF agrieuI-
ture a Washington is in sympathy
with and is aiding our order in secur-
ing better agricultural conditions. The
farms Of the country are producing
more than seven billions worth of ma
teridi each year and forwarding more
than one-seventh of this product for
export. These figures furnish some
| reasons for the American farmer being
the most independent and self-respect
ing of all our citizens.
When we recall what the Grange
has done to improve agriculture and
benefit the farmer we are at a loss To
conjecture why any person eligible to
membership should be outside this or
ganiZation.
This good work is in it's earlier stag
es. The time is coming when all far
mers worthy of the name will ioin
hands in offering the best to every TIL
Ter of the soil. More productive
farms. more suitable farm homes.
more acceptable farm conditions. bet
ter roads, more helpful schools and a.
nobler citiZenship-these are our
ideals. To their realization we pledge
our lives and dedicate our prosperity.
Taxation.
Perhaps there is no question of n1h-
lie policy with which the Grange has
had more to do than the problem of
taxation The Grange in this State.
through its Legislative Committee.
has been striving for years to bring
ABOUT certain reforms in our tax laws. |
ihey nave been conservative in their |
demands and honest and jealous in |
their ehdeaVor to compel all property |
70 pay tax based on just value of |
the same.