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About Willamette farmer. (Salem, Or.) 1869-1887 | View Entire Issue (May 30, 1884)
J.i 9Vi i IT- fe W J &v s$v vol. xvf. OREGON STATE GRANDE. An Address Delivered by Bon. R. P. Bolte, Hay 2T, 1884. Proceedings, Reception, Etc. OFFICERS ELECTED FOR ENSUING YEAR. Worthy Master, R. P. Boise ; Worthy Overseer, A. Luelling; Worthy Lectu rer, H.E. Hayes; Worthy Steward, W. B. Thomas; Worthy Assistant Steward, F. C. Yeomans; Worthy Chaplain, A. Shumway; Worthy Treasurer, B. F. Burch ; Worthy Secretary, M. J. Train ; Worthy Gatekeeper, Jonn Simpson; Worthy Ceres, Harriet Cooper; Worthy Pomona, M, J. Harris; Worthy Flora, Jennie Miller; Worthy Lady Assistant Steward, Irene L. Hilleary. DELEGATES TO THE bTATE GR INGE. The following are tho delegates to the Eleventh Annual Session of the State Orange of Oregon, Fa'rons of Fusbandry : Lane County John Simpson, Annio Simpson. Sister A. E. Churchill, J, F. Henry. Linn County S. A. Dawson, S. L. Dawson, John Bryant, Lucinda Bryant, F. M. Kizer, Mary Kizor, Martin Miller, M. A. Miller, J. G. Powell and M. A. Powell. Benton'County Mary Jane Harris. Polk County McM, Dodson and S. D. Dodson. , , Marion County J. Voorhees, A. Voor Tiees, John Downing, Jennie Downing, San. Clark, and Hettie Clark. Clackamas County J. K. White and Mary White. Multnomah County C. Buckman, J. B. Buckman, A. Luelling, and M. A. Luelling. Washington County A. B. Heath, E. B. Heath, T. K. Bewleyand E. A. Bewloy. Clatsop County W. H. Gray. Douglas County J. T. Cooper, H. Cooper, D S. K. Buick. and Jane Buick. Curry County S D. Morriman. Baker County W. H. Bentley.. Clarke County, W. T. F. C. Yeomans. Walla Walla W. B. Thomas. daho Ter. A. Shumway. W 0RTIIY MASTER'S ADDRESS. Patrons: Wo have come again to our annual reunion to consider of the past and consult how we may best ad vance and secure our future prosperity and thereby also promote the general "welfare of our country and mankind," for whatever promotes our prosperity makes our harvests abundant, our farm er and their families more fullhanded, intelligent, contented and happy ; also, encourages and forwards every other legitimate industry. When genial sea sons reward the labor of the husband man with abundant harvests then gen eral prosperity should fill the land, and will unless somewhere in the conduct of its business affairs, some improper agen cy is allowed to turn aside the, natural streams of prosperity and thwart the common good. The Grange being, as is enunciated in its declaration of purposes, an associa tion designed and calculated to educate farmers in better.methods of doing their business on the farm, and also to teach them the ways' of trade and commerce, so that they may have a better and more accurate understanding as to how their products reach the market, and the taxes mat are levied on them belore they reach the consumers. This kind of knowledge may enable us to cut off un necessary exactions and afford us better profits for our labor. It is our duty, therefore, to make the most diligent in quiry into all commercial transactions which affect the prices of the things which we buy and sell. The origin of the Grange is not remote and its honored founders were still liv ing and present at the last session of the National Grange. In whose presence, and after these noble men had welcomed the National Grange to Washington City, the place of its birth, our Worthy Master, J. J. Woodman, said : "It is fortunate, indeed, that we are honored with their presence and aided by their counsel on this occasion of open ing the seventeenth annual session. I congratulate these moat worthy brothers that their ranks are yet unbroken and their little band of seven all live to see the order, which they brought into ex istence, and to whiqh their beat thoughts and energies, spreading over the conti nent and uniting 'the tillers of the soil into one great brotherhood, devoid of partisan bias and sectional prejudice, but bound together by tie? of fraternal unity and pressing forward the work-of bene fiting and elovating a class fop which communities draw their most salutory influence and the nations their very life blood of existence." The necessities which gave rise to. the order and promoted its growth, ''and which will secure its further develop- SAL KM, ment and prosperity, and the final tri umph of its principles, are fresh in our minds. The tendency to centralize wealth and thereby control the avenues of trado and commerce, gathering into the hands ora few the profits of agricul ture and other productive industries, has been gradually but surely sapping the foundations of rural prosperity and re spectability and carrjingour farmois to wards the condition of serfs and peas ants. Centralized capital is easily con trolled. Those who manago it nie inti mately ad easily associated and can centralize its power to control the coun try and monopolize the benefits of nil its great industries. Farmers ate scattered uud disorgan ized, except those who hae come within the influence of our order. Organiza tion, therefore, should be the Shibboleth of farmers, as it is necessary that they may picsent a united front against those who are now preying on theii industries and eating up the profits of thoir labor. Organizod, the farmers will bo strong and capable of defending themselves against those who are thus organized against them. Divided they will be tho prey of usurers and all manner of selfish extor tioners. A warning comes to us across the Atlantic from Europe and the depths of Asia, ringing in our free ears the dis mal clank of cost and feudal chains, and the trite old scripture "the borrower is the servant of the lender." And the whole dark record of history teaches us that the tillers of the soil have been from lemote ages "the hewers of wood nd drawers of water unto other people." Organized in this order (the only farmers organization in existence) as we should be, and casting aside all selfish ness and envy towaids oneanothei. wo can stand up independent freemen, and cast aside and tramplo under our feet these unjust burdens now imposed on us by an upstart aristocracy, who, even within our own time, have arisen from the humble walks of society to sudden tvealth through fraudulent speculations and irom enormous incomes made pos sible by unjust and careless legislation, exposing the people of this free country to legal robbery. Seeing these tendencies, and also pres ent and impending evils that now over shadow nnd darken our future. The farmers have united in this to defend themselves against extortion and degra dation, and take into their own hands and keeping the management of their affairs in order to secure to themselves and families the just profits of their labor. Our only safety is in thorough organi zation. We must gather togothcr in the rural districts, cultivate a more intimate acquaintance with one another nnd im prove our social standing, bocial inter course rubs off tho rusticities that natur ally gather on and deform a secluded lifo. In the language of our declaration of purposes, we must meet together, talk together, buy together and sell together. Our past success affords us much en couragement and promise for tho future Our business co-operation in this juris diction has progressed favorably during the past year ; old co-operative associa tions have generally increased their bus iness and some now ones are being es tablished. Besides the large and profita ble business transacted by the Linn County Council, thero is a Grange atoro well established and doing a good busi ness in Josephine county, also one at McMinnville, one at Powell's Valley, and others. Most oi these are working- un der the system recommended by the National Grange, and laid down in our digest, and are consequently doing busi ness for cash, which is always recom mended by the Grange, for we are ad monished to beware of the credit system, and the mortgage system, as tending to to prodigality and bankruptcy. Where these H)perative establishments are near the Portland market, it does not re quire a large capital to do a large busi ness ; if an article wanted by a Patron is not on hand in the store it can soon be had from Portland, and may generally be supplied without inconvenient delay, so it is not necessary to keep constantly on hand any large supply of costly arti cles, and a constant supply is only nec essary of such things as are in constant and general use. By a little prudent forethought we may know the things we will need for our persons and house holds in time to order them from tho market. This we should accustom our selves to do, or it & a principle enjoined on all Patrons to Endeavor to make in telligent, calculations for future wants. We, .may Jbereforo so manage a Grange store as to havo little idle capital and dp as much business on a,' small capital as a merchant can do on a large.cspital who has to keep, a large assortment, always ready for the trada "If Ve jhall be able (o multiply these Grange stores .u&Ub tfar .aggregate aragy.tig.freffi.E3g5g OREGON, FRIDAY, amount of business is large, by uniting this trade, and buying fcqgether in the markets for cash, we wilPbe able to got a tnoie liberal discount for our pur chases, and can also establish an agency in Portland, where our surplus products, such s eggs, meats, fruits, dairy pro dubts, etc , can be disposed of at great advantage to us through our Grunge stores at home. ' From what I have learned I am satis fied that there is no obstacle to our com plete success in business cb-operntion, piovided we unite in our trado and stand together. If wo will observe our creed and buy together and sell together, w e will bo able to control our business and secuie our just rights. Wo should al ways remember that in union there is btrength and splendid success; in divis ion, weakness, fuilurs anddisgracc. And let me say here, that unle s farmers of the United Statos do unite in this or some other organization, and make that organization activo and perpotual, they are doomed as a class to inferiority in society; to bear the buideu of tho lich and see their children made servants and bondmen and bondwomen beforo another ha'f century shall bo added to the history of this boasted laud of liberty. The powers that are marching to our conquest and subjugation are tho great aggregations of capital, the credit system and the mortgage system, managed and directed by usurers, whose per cents, and extortions exhaust annu ally more than tho profits of incum bered farms, and must soon consume tha land, close out tho owners, and reduce them fiom the condition of land lords to tenants, divorce them from the land, and destroy botlF their independ ent manhood and patriotism. We may also co-operato to great ad vantage in the matter of fire hiBuranco. The heavy expenses which at,tend the operations of tho ordinary fire insurance companies which now do business in this State, can be avoided by us. We will need no canvassing agents to do our business ; no expensive offices to be kept in commercial cities by salaried agents. Whoever wishes to insure his property in our association can apply to tho Secretary of his Subordinate Grange, and tho business transacted with very little expense. The saving in expense will bo very great; for I am credibly informed that tha expenses at tending tho munauroment of ordinary fire insuranco companies equal about one-half of tho amount of money paid on premiums for insurance. I call special attention to this important sub ject. ' EDUCATION. One of the main objects of the Grange is to educate its, members, not only in business, but also to cultivate 'heir minds and hearts, in all that portains to tho development of a higher and hot ter manhood. We meet to discuss ques tions and learn how to express our thoughts with accuracy and ease ; to acquire self-possession, proper deport ment, and good manners, so wo may possess confidence in ourselves, as wo associate and deal with our fellow men. We encourage the reading of history and general literature, and especially advise the study of those sciences which tend to develop agriculture. We should learn the use of fertilizers, and thor-oughly-etudy how to beautify our homes, and make them more attractive. We must insist that the rudiments of agricul ture b6 taught in common schools. We should look after the management of our Agricultural College, and see that its leading efforts in education tend to the development of agricultural science We should encourage tho circulation of Grange papers. Every farmer should take one and rood it, and it will pay for the investment. Agriculture is a pro fession, and to bo successful in it one roust learn its principles. If a man is going to plant an orchard, ho should know what, fruit it will bear. If he would plant 'a vinoyard in this State, he would do well to go to California and visit vineyards that have been trimmed by experts. He would also need to know the grapes that will flourish and ripen in this climate, and would do well to visit Bro. Shipley, take lessons from him, and profit by his experience. That is, we should know our business. Much precious time and hard labor is lost through ignorance of tho business that men follow. natio.vai. aitANor. The last session of the National G ranee Was held at Washington Citv. and thirty-two States were represented by delegates ; also the Dominion Orange of Canada. The reports show that the order is increasing in numbers and in fluence, and its purposes are becoming better understood by the general public, ana many Tireiuoices once existing MAY 30, 1884. against the order havo been dissipated. It is now observed and acknowledged by intelligent farmers in all parts of the Union that thero is increased intelli gence and thrift in those neighborhoods where Granges havo been maintained. It was recommended that special atten tion be given to the educational work of tho order. To insure the best results in persons, scientific knowledge is requisite. In no calling whWi engages the industries of men is scientific education so essential to great success as in agriculture. The wonderful advance in farming methods in tho Eastern States, whereby their lands produco thrco fold more than for merly, is duo to scientific discoveries. Millions of dollars are now annually ex pended in commercial fertilizers, and wotn out fields are redeemed from steril ity and made to produae abundant crops. To facilitate the diffusion of informatiou nnd promote education in tho Subordi nate Qrnngps, it was lesolvod by the National Grango to continuo tho work of tho Worthy Lecturer, in distributing for discussion questions to tho Subordi nate Granges. This causes all the Granges throughout tho United States to discuss tho samo questions at tho same time, and is an admirable system tending to create harmony of thought and action in all parts of tho countiy. These questions are aocompnnied with suggestions vv ritton by tho Worthy Lec turer, calling attention to the importance of the questions propounded. These questions relate to tho ubo of fertilizers, tho planting of trees, tho care of animals, matters of domestic economy, methods of work, the use and care of farming ma chinery, field culture, the dairy, tho gar den, the ornamentation of tho farmer's home, and the cultivation of taste, and lofinement in tho household. ' These questions also sometimes relate to mattors of public concern. We aro usked to discuss political subjects that relate to and offset our great industry, such as may promote our welfare, nnd also such as impose burdens on us. But in these political discussions we consid er them not as politicians, but as farm ers, seeking to find tho truth ; for if a tariff on wool helps our wool grower, ii helps nil engaged in this gicat industry, whatever may be his political affdiutions. So also, if tho tariff on woolen cloth increases its cost fifty per cent , tho bur den must be born by all who buy. The last session of the National Grango offered the most complete assuranco of tho general prospority of tho order, and of its perpetuity. It grew out of a nec essity among farmers to defend them selves from aggressions of speculators, usuers and monopolies, who wero prey ing on their labor nnd consuming their earnings without just recompense. Fix ing tho prico of w hot tho farmer pur chased and tho price of what ho sold without consulting him or paying any hoed to his rights. It is in the country, among tho rural population, that tho Inchest sense or justico prevails. Here reforms in church and statohave ever or, lginatcd ; from this class comes demand for civil service reform in our country, for control of railroad transportation by Congress and State; for modifying the tariff laws ; for the forfeiture of unearned grants of public lands to corporations that th(!V miv be occunied bv farmers and give homes to tho homeless. These thincrs have been discussed in the .Na tional and Subordinate granges and pub lic opinion thus developed. By this or ganization spreading throughout the entire union.nno seeds oi pumic opinion can be scattered broadcast and bo made to take root in almost every neighborhood, from which will grow like ideas and a common public sentiment favorablo to these reiorms. And u ucuiiny puouo opinion is tho only safe guard of the peo ple against mis-rule. Political reforms in the old world never camo from the grace of Kings or Princes, or over sug gested by courtiers ; and in this country Win never cuiuu uum pumtuiuun wuu make politics a business and sceklavor through machino management In de fining the political status of the order the national urange, uennes as ioiiows; "While we firmly adhere to the cardin al principles enumerated in our declara tion of purposes that in the Grango there is and can be no partisan politics, yet as the church teaches pure morals and with out partisan bias, seeks to advance Christianity for the good of all, so we, to better conserve those great interests of onr class, which if properly guarded and fostered, will bless all mankind, must give heed to those public questions and laws which affect our calling; and we may without juit cause or criticism, from any other class or party, seek such political reforms as will promote our in terests and relieve our industries from unjust burdens. In heeding tlie admon itions of our ritual to promote the wel X NO. 16 fare of our country and mankind, wo' do not do our duty ns Patrons and citiiens if we neglect to cull public attention to political abuses or cease to strive to cor rect them. The political reforms we nk for, and the laws wo seek to nmend or enact aro in no wise partisan. The in nocent purchaser and user of patented articles who has to pay an unjust royal ty, suffers in the same degree, whatever may bo his political affiliations. The es tablishment of a department of agricul ture, now so necessary to aid in tho proper dev olopmont of our groat industry and raise it up to a higher level of respect ability and increase our influence in the affairs of tho nation, has no partisan taint. So also is tho transportation ques tion the railroad monopolies levy their unjust exactions alike- on citizens of all parties. As they aro said to lie without "oiils, so they nro without par' tisan affiliations, except to accomplish thoir own solflish piirpoos. In tins re gard thoy nio most aptly described by Mr. Jay Gould in his testimony beforo the Hepburn committee when ho declar ed that when seeking to get his f ripnds elected to office, that in a Republican district he was, a Republican and in a Democratic district ho was a Democrat; anil in a doubtful district ho was doubt ful. As patrons it is our duty to discuss all questions of political economy ; to be como acquainted with questions of revenue and taxation; to loam the extont nnd necesity of public burdens and look into the efficiency of overy public sorvico; to seek to regulate by proper laws all corporations that do business for the public. To look after tho general welfare of agiicu turo and endeavor to have all unjust buidcns imposed on it removed. An 1 whon necessary ,by local enactments, to strivo to havo our prin ciples nnd measures adopted by old poli tical parties. To strivo to secure-the-"lection of mcntoolllco and places of trust, who bclievo in our principles and will mako them practical. To carefully scruitinizo tho characters of all men who aro candidates for oilico, and pledge them, as far ns may be, to support tho measures recommended by tho Grange. To insist that those engaged in agricul tural pursuits bo elected to political onice and places of trust in a ratio com mensurate with tho interest they icpre bcnt. To cieato and maintain a public sentiment that shall ostracize and mako infamous or guilty of moral treason, any legislator who shall refttso or neglct to Biibserve tho known interests and wishes of his constituents, or other officers who shall botray a public trust" IRANsroitTATlO.S. ( It is essential to agricultural prospei ity, that ainplo and convenient means exist for tho transpoitation of farm pro duco to market, and that tho charges for Kiich transportation bo reasonable. For whatever may bo tho themes of ideal philosophers asserting that such charges aro paid by tho consumer! Wo know that in this Stato, and in tho United States tho cost of carriago on all our great staples, such us guun, meat and cotton exported to foreign lands is paid by tho producer. If freight on wheat from Salem to Portland is inoroased three-cents per bushel, tho price of wheat declines throe-cents in this market If tho railroad corporation, to drivo com pcttiion off tho river, charge thrco cents per bushel on wheat from Corvallis to Portland, and at tho same time charges nine cents from a station ten miles north of Corvallis to Portland (and this thing has been done) then wheat will be worth six cents more at Corvallis than fit such station. For tho prico in Port anil is not changed by such local dis criminations. It becomes our special concern therefore to secure cheap and uniform transportation. It is the duty of the Stato to furnish public highways for tho people. This duty has always been recognized by civilucd nations. When lands aio granted by tho gov ernment to individuals it reserves the right, a sovereign right, to May out iu public roads over the land granted. And it is by virtue of this sovereign right, of eminent domain, that tho right of way is obtained, by law, for tho railroad cor porations to extend their roads across the lands of private persons. Tho pow er of granting tho right of way to a priv ate corporation, cannot bo lawfully ex ercised by the State, to vest iu such cor porations, a simply private right, to be exercised by the corporation for a private purposo ; for it is a fundimental prin ciple guaranteed by tho Constitution, that private property cannot be taken excopf. for a public use. So these rail roads are publio highways as much as turnpikes and ferries and are as much subject to control by Stato laws. That thero is now a uccesity for the State to exercise such a control over these corporations and regulate tho (ooiiouj w ruui rr.) mm il -b S u GTWMJli4J -IT-CAIWUl iiwisJtjcfilv, i:Axnt ij s- ! .. 23m riooa-bmiH HVM u a. C.