The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-10-19
MAINE CHANGERS
INDICATED
Stetson and Gardiner
We're Right
Exoneration of Editor Hampton After
Protracted Trial Shows That Insur-
gents In National Grange We're
justified.

The sweeping exoneration last week
of George p. Hampton, editor Of the
American Patron, by his home grange
In Clarksyille, ~ Y, after a protracted
investigation under charges original
ing with the National Grange, goes far
to justify the insurgent attitude of
Names representatives in the Nation
al body. Both Past Master Gardner
and State Master Stetson have been
sharply criticized at times, for failing
to make themselves personae gratae
with the dominant element in the
National Grange, but events to date de
not seem to call for any change /.
policy. Hampton, through the columns
Of this paper, repeatedly attacked the
National Master and Executive Com
mittee for their policy of ring rule,
secrecy regarding membership and
finances of the Order" improper use
Of Grange funds for the benefit of
members of the clique" and an "eX-
l0h9iCi Ioil'N NolIAl dIN u tIe DtSl
interests of the Order Charged with
violating his obligations, Hampton
plead the truth as his defense. His
acquittal, therefore. is practically a
conviction against the National Grange
officers. The steam roller tactis" at
tempted by the discredited officials
make the story of the trial of more
than passing interest.
At the Atlantic City session of the
National Grange, charges were pre-
ferred against Hampton and his asso-
ciate. They were allowed three days
in which to prepare their defense, but
rather than attempt what was mani
testify impossible, they allowed the
case to go by default. They were
promptly expelled from the sixth de-
gree, and the National Executive Com
mittee was instructed to carry the
charges into the subordinate oranges,
and secure their complete expulsion
from the Order. $4,000 was appro-
priated to defray the expenses of the
prosecution.
Early in January F. n. Godfrey.
State Master of the New York and
Chairman of the National Executive
Committee, visited Clarksville Grange
and demanded that steps be taken i'm
mediately to eXpel Hampton He as
sured the local patrons that the trial
would not take up more than -
hours, and would be largely a matter
of form. No member of Clarksville
Grange cared to move in the matter
but finally under fear that their car
ter would be suspended. one of the
members consented to sign the docu-
ment which the State Master had pre-
pared. Instead of two hours the trial
dragged along nearly nine months.
and during that time was the principa'
topic of conversation in Clarksville
The National officers we're the Wit
nesses for the prosecution. and Past
State Masters Obadiah Gardner OF
Maine and George r. Horton
of Michigan appeared for the defense.
Some 1900 pages of testimony were
taken down by the official stenograph-
er. and there were extended arguments
by counsel in addition. Something
very much like an attempt to bulldoze
the officers and members of Clarks-
Vile Grange. grouped out on the eve
ming of Sept 9 The special trial com.
mittee submitted divided report, the
majority fayoring acquittal of Hamp-
ton. Just as the matter was about to
come to vote, Past Ma