Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1920-12-17
CONDITIONS OF THE ORDER.

The conditions existing in this
country al this time offer great
temptation to theoriZc upon what
is best TO do for agriculture. but i'll
order to keep this address within
reasonable bounds l must resist this
temptation. SO far as the Grange
in this State is concerned ii is a
condition and not Il theory that
confronts us, and like men and NO.
men we must Loyalty meet the con-
dition. During the year five new
Oranges have been organized in
widely different sections of the
State. One in Preston. one in Jack
son. and three in Grecnbricr coun-
~. This is an encouraging record
and the best we have made in the
last three years. have seen dark
CT days than these for the Order
in this State. All that is necessary
TO keep West Virginia in the gal
aNy of Grange States is brave
hearts, strong hands. and willing
minds.
STATE LEGISLATION.
My duties at Washington have
kept me out of the State almost
constantly for the last two years,
SO that have had but little oppor-
tuniiy TO keep informed as to what
has been going on here. AT the
election a month ago half the State
Senate and all of the members OF
the House of Delegates were elect
ed. There are doubtless many
questions of State Legislation pro-
posed in which the farmers of the
State are deeply interested. Just
now in an era Of declining prices
of farm products the subject of
taxation must be of vital import
ancc. During the last five or six
years of ascending values our taxes
have been doubled and even Huad-
rupled. These taxes may again be
doubled when paid in farm pro-
ducts at half the former price,
which may easily happen on de-
scending market. Through our
legislative committee the members
of the Grange should be alert to
protect our farmer people from
unfair. unjust, discrimination of
every kind.
SEMl-IEN ENNlA-.
The next session of this State
Grange will be the fiftieth session
and / deem it proper that l should
call your attention TO the fact for
the purpose of suggesting the
propriety of arranging for a semi
centennial celebration of some kind
at our next session. would furth-
or suggest that committee be APP
pointed at this session to deter
mine he character of the celebra-
ton we will have and to arrange
the program at least thirty days in
advance of the session. | submit
this matter for your considcra-
lion.
NATIONAL GRANGE.
The National Grange held its fifty
fourth annual session at Boston,
Massachusetts, November 10th to
Goth, 1920. The session was more
largely attended than usual and
many things of vital importance to
tn Grange and American agricul-
turc were given careful and thought
full consideration. The seventh
degree class was the largest in the
history Of the Order, numbering
1886.
Those of you who receive the
December issue of the National
Grange Monthly will find in it a
very full report of the proceedings.
This leads me to say that / do not
understand how. any good Patron of
Husbandry can afford not to take
and not TO read the National Grange
Monthly at the low price for which
il may be secured. The paper is
owned and published by the Ma
tional Grange and in some measure
at least, belongs TO every member
of the Order. l trust that every
Grange family in this State will
lake it and read it.
THE GRANGE AND OTHER OR
CARNATIONS
The Grange is the oltles: farm
crs' organization in this country.
II is secret fraternity composed
of farmers and their families. 1t
is unlike any other farmers organ
ization, and while it can and does
cooperate with any and all other
just as far as possible
ii must of necessity avoid entang-
ling alliances of every kind. There
is no rivalry or jealousy Of any
other organization on the part OF
the Grange. Each one of the numcr
our farmers organizations has its
own special work to do. usually Of
q material or financial character.
while the Grange goes about its
broader work of humanitarianism
in its efforts TO secure and maintain
a broader and better life in the
open country.
CONCLUSION.
Nearly forty ypors ooo ;o;,,,J