Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-02-24

dial and hearty welcome to the Wis
iting delegates.
The response was given by Mrs. Fl.
Iva Jewctt, lecturer of Lincoln county
Pomona, who thanked the members
of Capitol Grange and the citizens of
Augusta for their assistance in enter
tanning the conference.
Opening Address
"1ou know if I could not be Prosi-
dent Of the United States, or Cover
nor of Maine, the next best thing |
would aspire to be would be an eff
Gent Grange lecturer said co. Pur-
linton of Bowdoinham, ovcrseer of the
Maine State Grange, in the opening
address. He referred to the fact that
10 years ago in Augusta the first
Grange lecturers conference ever held
in Maine. took place, and he asked
how many present at this 10TH annual
session Wclc in attendance at that
first ono. Fourteen were counted in
thu audience.
Tho Importance of tho Grange
Educational Fund was pointed out
by Mr. purinton. Regarding the
conferences, he said that it had been
rs privilege to observe their work
and that great amount of good has
been carried back to the local
oranges from them.
TIE first need of grange lecturer
n" stated. is to climb up to a point
where he can get a vision of the
whole grange ficld-its aims, pur-
poses and accomplishments. He
should study tho grange policy and
get Il vision of what the grange is
trying to do.
The grange is not only great
Agricultural organization. hut also a
great rural fraternity. There are
more than 2.nW,O00 people in our
country without regular employ
ment many of them being in needy
circumstances. Here is a lesson for
the lecturers to carry home There
is too little economy in our present
day practices.
The things the grange is trying to
do were enumerated by the speaker
First is the developing of men and
women to live in community: and
second. is the making of better
community for the men and women
to live in.
The following points of common
interest for the grange to study and
encourage, were put forward by the
speaker: 1st. Good farming: 2nd.
good schools; 3rd. good roads; Attn,
good churches: 9TH. Good rccrcaticn;
9th. good health.
All arc anxious to have a success
full ana efficient grange. There is
only one thing to build grange of,
and that is tho material in the com
munity The grange. a fraternal or
G2nization. aims to teach its mem
hcrs self help. The community has
its wants. These wants converted in
to action set results.
Mr., Purintons remarks we're fol-
lowed by warm applause.
Governor Baxter
Governor Baxter was then escorted
into tho hall. and WAS introduced as
the next speaker. lie was given a
rising ovation as he entered tie hall.
Governor Baxter welcomed the
lecturers to the state House and said
that it was NEST fitting that they
should come to Augusta to hold their
annual meeting for this was the :eat
of government and all the people of
the state were intimately connected
with the various DEPARTING nts. He
spoke of the various departments of
the State government and urged the
lecturers to become familiar Will
their workings and to tell the pcop,e
at home about what was being done
in their behalf by the officials of the
state. He said that visit to Au-
gusta WAS lesson in citizenship and
he impressed upon the audience the
need of their teaching good citizen
ship in the oranges. The Governor
spoke of the work that the State WAS
doing and explained how every de-
partmcnt was working for tie inter
csts OF the people. He told of tho
State House party that was held on
the 18th of February. at which :.4
of the State were present.
He urged the lecturers to call at the
various departments in the State
House. and to get acquainted with
the people connected with them.
He stated that one of the advan-
tages of the grange was its teaching
its members to express themselves
4 a
urged the members of the grange TO
give their support to the teachers in
tie various communities and spoke
of the work that the normal schools
or the state are doing.
Tho Grange is composed Of loyal.
earnest citizens who can well be called
the backbone of tho community. and
although it is strictly non-parusah
and non-political organization. rs
members may we'll take an interest IN
the government of the state and na-
ton. for no citizen can escape his re-
sponsibilitics as q member of tho
body polite. The governor said that
the leaders of the Grange were high
minded men who felt the r"sponsib!li-
les OF tutlE EtSiti'Ii, anu nv 'i''NS VI
his friendship for State Master
Thompson and the former state Mas
ter Stetson. both of whom have be-
come national figures in Grange work.
He felt that the Grange was in favor
of progress being made along the
right lines and said that it was bet
tor to go slow and be sure of the
ground rather than to adopt new no
tons and theories before they had
been thoroughly tried out. The gov