Year: 1874

gather for grand picnic FESTIVAL, on the
4th day of June next at Emery's Grove,
near Money Creek village, in Houston
Co. A social and intellectual feast is antic-
ipated. 1t is to be basket picnic and a
general invitation is extended to all. Hon.
lgnatius Donnelly has been engaged as one
Of the distinguished speakers for the occa-
sion.- Winona Herald


The farmers of the Twelfth Congression-
al District of Illinois, at meeting at Jack
sonville, March 18th, 1874, brought for
ward number of reform planks, Of which
are the following:


First.-We favor all legitimate accumu-
lations of wealth, by all proper methods Of
industry and skill.


Second.-The people should rule; they
should dictate what is for and accords with
the public good, and what is against and
contrary to the general welfare.


Third.-All improper actions Of either
individuals or corporations should be sup
pressed by law at the earliest practicable
moment


Fourth.-No franchise should ever be
held or exercised contrary to the public
good, and laws should be made and exc
cuted to regulate and restrain them within
reasonable bounds.


Fifth.-We declare ourselves for both
principles and men. For men Of unques-
tionable integrity, irmness, purity and
ability in the whole record Of their past
lives, to apply our principles in our behalf
-Ex


The following letter, appearing in
the Rochester Record T. Union, con-
tains some ideas which cannot be
too often repeated and is by the
way, very sensible view of the sit
uation. If the Order accomplishes nothing
more than to abolish the credit system
which has added 80 much to the cost of ag-
ricultural machinery, it will have done
noble work, and with the social and educa-
tional features or elements mentioned, and
which are inseparable from the Grange, it
can be ranked second to no movement of
this or any other age:


WHAT HAVE THE PATRONS DONE?


Mr.. EDITORS The question is frequent
ly asked, What has the organization of Pat
rons of Husbandry accomplished for the
benefit of farmers? They have formed ac-
quaintance with each other that would not
have been accomplished in any other way
they have discussed subjects of interest
pertaining to the different modes Of cult
waiting the soil for different grains, and the
results; the necessity Of setting out and
cultivating timber, and the best varieties
to raise for general use; the improvement
Of stock, etc., also the different leaks that
were continually taking away the farmers
profits. In our isolated condition as farm
ers, it was impossible to work together in
harmony to bring about results so satisfac-
tory without an organization. II for moth
ing more than the social part, it is worth
all we pay for it. But this is not all we
have accomplished.


Although [ have no war to wage against
any one, perhaps the manufacturers Of
farm implements have done as we'll by us
as they could under the circumstances, as
they sent their machinery to their different
agents to sell on long time, and to any per-
son that wanted to buy, and as they lost
heavily on bad debts and large quantities
of machinery not sold, but carried over
from year to year, and an unnecessary
number of agents that must live and some
body must foot the bill. In order to pay
losses and expenses they had to put the
price high, and every one that bought
machine and paid for it helped pay this un-
necessary expense.


The Patrons propose to try to bring
around different state of things. The
State Grange appointed a State Agent to
handle the machinery Of the State. The
County Union is organized, and has ap-
pointed two agents, one in Rochester, the
other in Eyota, to handle the machinery
for the county. The business, through
these agents, has to be conducted on cash
system, and economy in everything is essen
tial for success First, buy no more ma
chinery than you actually need and can pay
for. Take care Of the same, and make it
last as long as you can, by always putting
it under cover when not in use.


What is the reason that machinery is so
much cheaper this year than last? 1t is
simply because the Patrons are reducing
the purchase and sale Of machinery to a
cash basis, and to employ no more agents
than is actually necessary to handle the
machinery, and now it devolses on US, as
Patrons and farmers. by our acts, to say
whether we will fall back in the same old
rut OF the credit system, and swarms Of
agents to be supported by our labor, or
adopt the proposed plan, and sustain our
agents.


appeal to every farmer and Patron to
patronize our agents. In the amount of
machinery handled and sold in this country
annually, the difference in the price of this
year and last would amply pay our agents if
they did uot sell one dollars worth this
year.


What has brought this reduction in
prices Can any sane person deny that it
has been the Patrons? A PATRON.


A CONCERT will be given in fremont
Temple next Thursday evening, under
the ansn;ces of some nhilanthronic lad;os