Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-12-06
Editors Letter Box
GRANGE POLITICAL POT
COMES TO A BOIL?
lLitchfield, Me, Dec. S.

rLitchheld. Me, Dec. 5.
Publishers Kennebec Journal:
The Grange political pot seems to
have started boiling very early in the
season this year. A recent article in
one OF the Lewiston dailies intimated
that Clarence B. Washburn Of Litch-
field and master Of kennebec Pomona.
would be a candidate for an Office in
! the State Grange at Portland during
the forthcoming session. 1t is tru
[ that Mr.. Washburn has received many
earnest solicitations upon the part CT
grangers in the central part Of the
State to throw his hat in the ring"
F.. at Portland, especially for the Office of
State lecturer His period Of service
i as master of his home Grange and
! the past two years as master Of Ken
nebec Pomona warrant the confidence
expressed by those who see In him a
desirable candidate.
| Mr.. Washburn has had an extended
experience as a social worker. For
two years he was president Of one Of
the finest young mems clubs in a
Massachusetts, city and active in Y.
NJ. c. A. work. In college he was a
l
Of the college, president OF his class.
a prize winner in the speaking con-
tests, gave the Memorial address his
freshman year, was the founder of the
sophomore society Of Mystics, one of
| the prominent honorary societies of
Colby College. He has Travelled some
what about his own country nnd has
refused opportunities to go abroad be-
cause of his desire to see America
| first" There are probably few men
| in the Grange who know the history OF
the order better and who have greater
faith in it's latent possibilities, espe-
cially as related to the State of Maine.
1t is to be regretted that such expert
cnce as Mr.. Washburns cannot be
placed at the service of the Grange.
Poor health has made it necessary
for him to remain in the open country
almost constantly the past 10 years
but of late he has resumed teaching
and is identified with other business
interests. He owns a fine farm in the
town OF I.itchfield. The following is
statement from Mr.. Washburn rela-
tive to holding office in the State
Grange:
Il have appreciated the fact that l
have been considered capable Of hold
ing office in the State Grange. ] am
one of those who believe the State
Grange in Maine could accomplish
far more for the State than it is do
ing. Personally. would like 20 see
good shake-up at Portland at the COM
ing session. With the one exception
of the Office of State secretary I would
welcome a grand upheaval. Mr.. Lib
hey is the grand old man Of the order
and should be left where he is-a good
secretary should remain a permanent
fixture. At present Kennebec county
has the State master and the chairman
Of the executive committee. To make
Mr. Clifford State master in case Mr..
Thompson should fall behind in the
running would be mistake. The next
State master should come from an
ether section Of the State. L. T.. Mctn-
tire of oxford county to me is the
ideal man for the place. wish he
might be elected. If he is NOT avail
able Mr.. Abbott. the present overseer.
lis worthy and it would not be at all
bad to see a man from Aroostook III
the chair They deserve substantial
recognition up at that end of tho
State AS regards the State lectur-
er's office for which I have been men
Itioncd. Yes. I would like to see that
come to kennebcc county. We have
two admirable candidates. Miss Nir-
ginia Jones of South China and Merle
j. Hartman Of Readfield. Miss Jones
lis the lecturer Of South China Grange.
the home Grange of State Master
Thompson. Since her coming into Of
fec in this Grange it has taken on a
new lease of life and she is putting
things across in good style. A believ-
or in the future Of Maine. good puh-
lie speaker and qualified by educa-
tional opportunities to fill tie Office.
she would make good if elected. MI
Hartman the past few years has been
serving as lecturer of kennehec Fo-
mona Grange. He has done mighty
good work and as master I have re-
ccived loyal support from him and ne
has done much to make the two years
T have held the Office successful ones.
He gets into the harness. has opin-
ions and does not pussyfoot around the
People of the State would know man
was on the job If he got the lcctur-
er's berth. If either Miss Jones or
Mr.. Hartman receive the nomination
at Portland the delegates will do we'll
to support them. I am willing to do
all I can do to sec either of these in
the state lecturers chair. n" doubt
they will decide between them soon as
to which one will be the avowed can
didate at Portland. and either way !
hope the nomination will be made and
the candidate elected. AS have pre-
viously said 1t is back to the RANKS
for me after this year. There is work
there to do also and a granger to be
a good one does not of necessity have
to be an officeholder, May orly that
which will work out for the best good
of the order as whole transpire at
Portland this month
F.. LOUISE ATWOOD.
Jap Preferential