Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1915-12-24
GRANGE IN STATES CIVIC LIFE.
Gradually Filling Larger Place, Says
State Master Cady - Using oppor-
tunity for Public Good.

The December issue of the National
Grange Monthly contains review OF
the progress of the Grange in various
states. State Master Willis N. Cady
contributes the following for Yer
mont:
"The order in Vermont is gradually
filling larger place in the civic life OF
the state and it is doing more for the
education, moral and material welfare
of its members and the community than
ever before. The attitude of the
Grange upon questions Of public policy
largely determines what the policy shall
be. Therefore, in our work about the
state and in the different Oranges, we
have endeavored to emphasize the re-
sponsibility resting upon the individ-
ual members of the Grange. The town
system representation in Vermont gives
to the small towns voice in legislation
out of proportion to their population
and as the Grange is in many of the
small places the community center, it
gives to it a great opportunity, which
is being used for the public good.
"The comparatively low price of
land in the East, its nearness to good
markets, good schools, fine churches and
splendid social opportunities, is MAX
ing the profession of agriculture more
attractive to young people and more
and more of them are preparing them
selves for it by attending agricultural
schools and colleges. The Grange is
doing all that it can to build up ana
support such schools. We recognize
that the future of our state will be
just what the young people of today
make it, and it is our duty to give
them the right training.
"We have county agents in 10 of the
Ia counties of the state, due in large
measure to Grange influences. These
men are doing a splendid work, and are
in most cases active Patrons. We be-
ieve that the spirit of fraternity that
exists in the Grange is the foundation
upon which every Grange structure
must be reared and so we have endeav-
ored to foster this spirit and where it
is lacking, to impress upon our men,
bers its necessity. The state of Yer
mont is small compared with some of
these western states. We could make
16 Vermonts out of California and then
have some left, but size does not al
ways measure strength and influence.
We have sent many of our young men
to help build up the great West and
how well they have built it is known to
all. The tide is turning and we are not
only keeping our young people but 9th
ers are coming to know that our green
hills and valleys offer for successful
farming opportunities the equal Of any.
In this work of building up a new Yer
mont, the Grange is taking an active
part, working along with the school
and church.
eve are trying to make the Grange
home typical of the true home which is
the foundation of our national life.
When the Grange does its work, so that
it becomes necessity, then it will be
in position to fulfill the desire of its
founders in making agriculture the
most desirable occupation on the face
of the earth. While we in Vermont are
particularly interested in the welfare
Of the order in our small state, we have
wider vision that takes in the whole
order throughout the length and
breadth of our fair land