News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1913-06-25
GRANGE AND THE TARIFF
Grand Master oliver Wilson Clearly
Defines Farmers Position on
Tariff Legislation.

The National grange is likely to take
an active part in the tariff legislation
at Washington the next few months,
and the legislative committee of that
body will be on hand sharply to see
that the interests Of the farmers are
amply safeguarded in making up the
new schedules. Strictly non-partisan
in its mission, the grange nevertheless
interests itself in all public questions
where the welfare of agriculture and
the future of the farmer are at all in
volved: Which indicates the lines
along which grange influence upon
the new tariff schedules will be ex-
erted
National Master Oliver Wilson of
Peoria, ILL.,, has issued a message to
the oranges Of this country that de-
fines a clear position of the grange on
the tariff and Immediately indicates in
what direction the grange fight will
be conducted. His message Is as fol-
lows, issued on April 16:
"a new administration has held the
reins of government for more than
month A special session of congress
has been called to revise the tariff
schedule. 1t remains to be seen
whether the present congress is COM
posed of men big enough, broad
enough and honest enough to revise
this schedule in way that will be
just and equitable to all interests, or
whether they will be controlled by GER
tain great interests and amend the
schedule so that it will work a hard
ship on other branches of industry.
THE Grange declaration on the tar
if is, and has been for many years,
that $50 long as a protective tariff is
the policy of the government we de-
mand that agricultural products be
protected the same as manufactured
articles" The farmer never has had
this protection. For instance, the man.
ufacturer of wooden goods has howled
long and loud for free wool, but what
advantage would this be to the con-
sumner so long as there was a heavy
duty placed on wooden cloths?
"Wool is as much the finished prod
uct of the farm as cloth is of the fac
tory and should receive the same pro-
lection. This is cited as one instance
only. The question is, will the Grange
membership and farmers generally
stand together and insist that in the
present revision the farmer has
square deal? The legislative commit
,tee of the National Grange is ready
to do all it can to see that the great
agricultural interests are considered
by the present congress, but 1t must
have the hearty cooperation of the
membership; not that there will be
any opposition from any farmer, but
remember that there are sins of omis-
sion as we'll as commission and it is
the former that is too prevalent among
our membership
at is not too soon to commence
writing your representatives in con-
gress, and impress upon them that
this revision of the tariff is to be a
real one and that they are bound to
consider the welfare of the farmer as
well as that of the manufacturer.
1--WE appeal to the Grange and to
the agricultural press, to agitate and
educate the people, members of con.
gress included, to the great impor.
lance of a square deal Let US all
work together and be ready to sug-
gest and urge needed amendments to
any proposed schedule that does not
recognize the farmers rights.
"Fraternally,
OLIVER WILSON,
Master of the National Grange"
This entrance of the National
Grange into the tariff issue is the more
significant because of the well-remem.
hered struggle AGAINST Canadian reel: