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About Willamette farmer. (Salem, Or.) 1869-1887 | View Entire Issue (June 1, 1883)
'i? ";"'i "'"'(r - jfa. A'"'U ""l-ijr- K' V '' t?" '" if 6.' far & ' .- Mr tv PaCe i 5. i le- K fr(j; 5r it-v ,-. Br.' it ff v ! fcV' ;iJ' JUDOS BOBTO AODXEM. Tlio following is tho address of Hon. R. P. Boise, Worthy Master of the Oregon State Grange, as delivered to tho State Grange, at Salem, on May 23d : Patron: This being our tenth annual ses sion, we ari reminded that we now have tho history of one drca'le of the Oregon State Grange. Our archive! have accumulated, and have a valuable experience and iom prece dent to guile our present and future action. It is" wiae to heed the lessons of experience and try to improve fiom their teaching!, for cultivated society, and, indeed, all human progress ft built up from tho materials gath ered from time to time ai we journey on through the pacing yean. Our harvest have again been Fathered, and the surplus generally sold and gone to swell the trade and make up thtibusinessof another year. And we havo great reason to bo grate ful to the Great Ma-tor that our lands have yielded generoas harvests and our State been pared from destructive storms and drouths inch as have visited and distressed other sec tions of our c luntry. Though during the past winter unusual frosts blight -d our promising whrnt fields, an early spring and favorable weather has enabled us to mitigate the great loss, and now we enjoy the pleasing prospect of an abundant harvest, which will plaie us beyond the fear of want, and enablo us again t ffer a largo surplus on the market. This surplus is the greatest factor of our com merce, and brings to our State nearly all the wealth that comes hither from foreign lands; without it the ships of fort Inn nations would not, as now, whiten our harbors and rivers, and our active and rich metropolis be deserted and silent. As our class contribute nearly all the mite rials that make and enliven trade and trans portation at homo and build up commerce with foreign lands, it behooves us ta look well to our great industries and see that they are guarded and protected from unjust taxation by those who handle a-d transport our pro ducts to the distant markets where they are consumed. The work of tho State Grange is to look 'after the genoril welfare of the order and ggost BUdi metnoas 01 worn as win in crease our numheis and influence- and unite farmers more olosoly in tin ir social and busi ness relations, and educate them to a more 'perfect knowledge of their prifcsiioii, and of their duties to their country and mankind. In our work we should not be content merely to plod 011 In the old ruts worn by experience; wo must bo inventive and aggressive, trying -to establish new nnd hotter methods of busi ness, such as will enable us to keep paco with the adeancii a improvements of the ago. We should endeavor by our action hero to give direction ami impulsu to every subordinate rrauge, that it may not only be mora useful to Its numbers, but become an active part of our entire order, working with all other granges in the promulgation of our princiulos ami tho fullillmcnt ot our great cuds. The timi for curliest work has come. It has been so ileo'arcd by the National Orange, and the spirit thor? manifested is, I see, now animating ' the Stito Griuges to greater zeal and a more earnest determination to bo agressive, not only in controlling to a greater oxtent than formerly, through co-operation, their business inter jet i, bu4; also in correcting abuses which have, by our negligence, been allowed to creep into our commercial regulations and legal enactments, imposing, unifcr tho sem blance of custom and hw, heavy and unjust burlonson our industries. In considering 11 questions that may oomo before the gru-go lor discussion, I invoke harmony aud moderation in all your counsels, and confidently hope that your deliberations at this session will result in freat good to our order and the State, t is mid by thuso who are not familiar with our history and progreis, that onr principles are good, but that tanners aro slow in carry ing them into oxecution. They aro daily ridi culed in the public, journals for their laxity in asserting their power, assuming a more prom! sent position in society, demanding the just pp flu of their labor, and exercising a con trolling influence in public atlairs. It is too true that iho fanners as a class have hei 11 slow to psro-jivo tho rernoily for mmy of the uiiiicaeimary evils that besot mid and depress their prosperity. Hut, through tho iiistiiitucntility of the grange, much light has been shed abroad among them, a bolter understanding of tueir interests attniiud, ami imviy inipoitiuit advantages already secured, ami the pru.peot of iiuuro onlighu anient aud advu!io?nu'iil is still more encouraging. I am glad to sou that others have bcch our wrrngs, and nppreoiatii nur power to correct than and tout thoy ridiniilut us for our stupidity and f lly in tulleiing others to con trot uinl tax lis at wilt and then jeer at us for not casting oil tiioso imputations ami roont tug tliu imlii'iiitiis imposed on us. I. t it not be long until all lespuotalile farmers hasten to take away tins utinglng leproich mi their in tolllguiiu ami houur by intelligently asserting Mid ixeircuiug the poacr and influence that nf light belongs tu them. NATIONAL ARAN (IK. The National Orange whioh mat at Indian apolis list November, in its sixteenth annual .letsion was attended by represent Uivo from tmoro than tlmty States of tho Utnnii, and 'fc-om Domini luOriugoofUauadajnltohynvery llargo number of vi.itors who were membeis ' of the oid'T. and had coma from Imli nu mid .adjoiuiiigSw.tus tti witness and nisUt in its dcliheiatious. At mi open sej-imi on the first diy Uro. Porter as presstit uud gavo the patrons a very heaity wlcnino tu tho eapitol of the. BUto, Other S -itu olllccrs were also present -aonieof vh imvero momliors of the order f and all in wife sted tho kindest regards for our work, ami the highest admiration for our . principles. The epiuioua hall iu which wo as- -oinblehl waslillot to ovoitlowing during the earlier days id tho siision, and tne sixth do- greo was oiif nod by the Worthy M wtcr ou a largo number; Hires times as man) as at the session 1 attended at Washington two years before. All motitud animatoil with the as- nniioa that w wiio moving grandly onward In our oik. T,i personal appearance of the jbip't iis eo.l and would haVMlH) pleas- lug and iin4irr leu o i any stranger, ho could iimiiu pum manners, strong self r lianee and mo leu o'qumao without autt-iitlion. All I sotui-d i ,pirul wl h gHl will; for they a had uoiiis up tu their annual gathering fiom J paru uf this groat Union, t give aud re ottvo Uiudly rnviiuga, and wcrk toother for thngxui tiuir oats and thlr common sunny. Thoy nailed no other reaommeu datiou tn ujiiiut ud them tithe goo 1 olBeos and kindly o jail.vrattiiii of nue another, than i tint Uu'y uiinvuiol the patnnsof their re apevtirv ti t.s. 1'ioin thu beginning they ceuieil aeniu outed aud aoted tugther a liouii in t m luriiiiny of long tried friend hip, boveral umeuilmuiiti were pn'pssd to eorurgiiila law moitof whijh weru r jeotod, only iwoaiiiendiiiviits werj adop td aud are heraiiiili mm til Ui you fjr your cousider snio., nii'i ic ai lutloiast Aitcle, 1 Scetijn 1 Amend b inierting after tho ' lit g uuges In the teoonit due those Words "and Ujii luurlh degree ineiiilwrs In fOl st'iuling as may be elected as'dolegates ierfto." .f,ft ; Article 1. 1 Se 3 Amend W airikiaa; out l woros ' eisastd master" wnsre they oo- car in the second line, and insetting ! lien thereof the words "any fourth degree mem ber in good ttandingt" Many questions affecting the general inter sts o,f tht order were disoussedand tally con sidered and determined. Some matters were introduced and considered with view of de termining whether they were proper subjects of discusslo i in the subordinate granges. Among these was the tariff. And it wa rec ommended that this subject bo discussed in the granges solely from a non-partisan stand point, as a question of political economy, with a view to giving patrons a better knowl edge of the workings of the tariff system, and how its operations affect the interests of farmers. The burdens it imposes and the benefits it confers. The new song book just complf ed was adopted by the National Orange and a large edition is now in the bands of the Seoreta y ready for sale. The NetionolOrango also aain urged on the attention r.f C ingress aud the country, the importance of erecting a Department of Agriculture, whose chief offi 'er should be ex-othcio a member of the President's cabinet. A bill for that puroio was introduced in tho last Congress and received uvoraoie action in the House of Representatives, but failed to pass the Senate. It passed the House by a I-rge majority, where its merits and import ance were severely questioned. After such an indorsements the popular branchof Congress, whose members were fresh from the people and supposed to know their wants, I am un able to conceive a reason why it did not pass the Senate, unless it be that the memb-is of that body feel less cozontly then they should their responsibility "to the people, being further removed from them, and better en abled to secure and hold their places through machioe politics and the use of money and corporation influence ; where little heed is paid to the best intersts of the country, and best of all to the general welfare of our great agricultural interests. Tne Uoited States which is equal to, if not superior in its agricultural resourses to any nation on the earth, appropriates less annu ally, and gives less heed and encouiagement to this the greatest of its productive interests which emp'oys more than halt its enure pop ulation, than any other civilized nation. Franco appropriates annually $20,534 410 for agricultural purposes; Prussia, $1.613 340; Russia, $14,820,184; and Sweden, $051,737, while the United States appropriates $174,680 to support nnd carry on its agricultural de partment, and foster tho great industry which i inpioys more enau n im umw j.uj - tion. When this mitter was before tho United States Senate, at its lait session, Senator I'lntnb. who was onn of its advocates, sent up to bo read a letter trom tne late uamueist, transmitting! a cony of tho act establishing the ministry of ogriculturo in France; and refering to the action on the same subject in Germany, Austri i and Italy, and alto n dis patch from London on the same subject. So it seems that tho governmenteof other nations aro more parcful nnd activo, in fostering agri culture than our Ofti. As this calling is tho greatest and most im portant of all our productive industries, and tho ultimate source of tho gro'ter sharo of the national wealth, it should receive from tho government such considerati -n as rts im portance demands, and bo represented iu the Cabinet and Congress by those who appreciate its impe-rtance, and fully comprehend tho methods of research, which will develop scloutifio agriculture, and who can adopt such measures as tend to oducate and elevato our farming population, and thereby bring to their calling greater success and profit. This department if established and properly maned, should be In communication with all the various Stato agricultural col'egea and the granges throughout tho Union, and could be come the great center of a grand system of agricultural education capauie m uuueuuug and distributing useful information to all sec lions of our country. As now organized and eonducte I the department has not the confi dence of intelligent finners. The National Orango at its two last sessions expressed its want of confidence in tho efficiency of tho present commissioner, and the agricultural pious throughout the country generally re tards the removal of General Li Due to givo place ora mere partisan politician, who neither understands or appreciates tho high responsi bilities of his office. Tho firmer nf this no tion should insist that partisan politio shall not debiso tho agricultural department and agricultural colleges, nnd cripple their effi ciency ; and that litnefs alone shall be con sidered in s-lecting men to fill positions in these institutions, and wheu oneo filled by con.p"tent and faithful persons, no change bIiouIiI bo made for partisan purposes. I bo liuvo that if uup rsuvcia iu tins, our just do main!, the noxt Congress will establish thu do putmunt ot agriculture, aud then we must givo it thu utmost aid uo can from tho henrty co-operation of our order and help to build it up to be the lit represent iti e of our most important national industry, TIUNMMKTATIO.V. The National Ginugo also considered at length tho great importance of railr .ad trans portation, and urged on Congress the enact ment of liws regulating inter Stato traffic no r-iilroads. Many of the States have already euicted lima legulatiug this trailio within their limit), lint full relief from tho gross ami oitvn criminal anuses wiueii have grown up under unrestrained railroad managers can not be allordid by Stato laws, and Coueress must bo constrained to exert its constitutional power to control the great transcontinental Hues and restatn, by just laws, their mana gers, ami hold in check their inordinate greed of gain and lust for power, for thoy now dominate with almost sovereign sway over the p.'oplo of tho groat West aud this coist, turning into their coflers revenues more princely than ar enjoyed by tho crowned heads nt Kumpe, and distributing to their fol lowers aud henchmen a patronage more re, niuuirativo than tho combined salaries at tached to tho thousands of offices within the appointing power of the gcueral government mat (Jomireas has nnwir to all ril the nen. pie this nlief, is now fully established by the decisious of our highest e-ourts and has also beeu asserted by the deliberate judgment of e-oinmiuees ot (Jongnss and ot tne legislatures ot many of the States. And iu fact there is no respectable de cision or opinion to the contrary. A loug ago as 1874 this nutter was brought before Coiigreta through the influence of our order, and a special oommittee ou transpor tition appointed by the Senate o! the United States, consisting of the following proiuineut members f both political parties t Senator Windom (Hep.), John Sherman (Rep.), Koscoe Conk liug (Hep.), II. O. IHvis (D.ui), T. M. NihwokI (Dem.), S. V, Jonusou (Dein.i, John H. Mitchell (Rep.), aud S. It Couover (Hep.), who, after devoting several months tj tne investigation nt this suijeot, repoitcd that the grossest abuses existed iu railroad man. agemuit, aud ii their report declare; 'Tnat IU the matter ot taxation there are to-day four men reprearnting the four great trunk lines between Chicago and New York, who posse is and not unfrrquenlly exercise power u-i.irti. tt... r.... . i.. tT..i... i o.i . would not venture to exert. They m.y at any time and for reaaoi a satisfactory to theiu arlvcs, by a single stroke ot the peu reduce tho value oi property in tills oouutry by bun !roels of million of dollars, and that by com bination and consolidation those colossal or- WILLAMETTE FARMER: PORTLAND, OREGON, JUNE gsnlxatlons are daily becoming stronger and more imperious." They also declared that Congress had am ple power to correct these abuses, and that it waa their duty to do so. Since that report was made nine years have elapsed, and these dangerous and colossal organizations have gone on extending their power and gathering at wilt their tribute, nnder the color of law, from an unprotected people, until the grandeur of their unjust accumulations have invested their chief minagors with private fortunes of from twenty to two hundred mid lions of dollars each. Indeed, many of their privste estates have become so vast as to ex cite the wonder of the titled aristocracy of European nations, and caused many of their wisest statesTien tn predict the early decay and downfall of our free Democratic insti tutions. It is the duty of the State to pro vide highways for the people. This principle has ever been recognized from the earliest dawn of civilization. Home, the imperial law giver to all succeeding civilized nations, had her via Fluminia, via Aurelia, her Appion way. and other thoroughfares which were kent at the public expense The same doc trine comes down to us from the mother country, as a part of tho common law of Eng land, and public roads were denominated by our English law givers as tho king's high ways. No nation can sifely surrender her public thoroughfares, which must be the avenues of her commerce and means of mili tary transit, to unrestrained private control. This would be surrendering to private citi zens a most important prerogative of the sov ereign power, which cannot be done by anv legal enactment, for all sovereign prerogatives must for ever remain intact, to bo freely exer cised by all succeeding legislatures. When, in tho progress of civilization, the art of transportation by railroads was discovered and found a cheaper and quicker means of transportation of passengers and freight, there the emmon highway had been, it became the duty of the government to adopt this bet ter mode of commercial intercourse in aid of public traffic and convenience, and the gov ernment of the United States and the States have not been unmindful of this obligation. They hive given liberally of lands and money to corporations to aid them in constructing these roads, now so essential to the public weal, and without which tho pr sentcommer cial relations could not be maintained. Tfie States have also exercised their sovereign power of eminer.t domain, to enable these corporations to subject private lands to the right of passage for these roads, which power cannot do constitutionally exercised, ano pri vate property tiken, except for a public use. No class of our citizens more thoroughly appreciate the value of railroads and tlioir present necessity than farmers; they fully understand that these roads have not only greatly facilitated the ttans portation of their products to market in sec tions of the country, previously within con venient reach by the ordinary highways, but that the building ot these iron thoroughfares into fertile regions formerly too remote for the firofitable production of cereals and other icavy products, has g'eitly extended the area of our farming domain and added to the wealth and grandure of our nation. They also believe that this great discovery like att other developments of our ndvaucd civiliza tion is the common inherita-ice of the whole people, and should not be monopolized and its great blessings enjoyed by a few only, who are trying to usurp through fraud and bribery these grand advantages whioh are alike tho legitimate property ot all. It is the purpose and desire ot the National Grange as expressed at its last and former session, and indeed of all our order, to respect and pro tect every leg! timite riht vested in these corporations, and securo to the owners of their stocks fair profits on their investments But we are not willing that they should be allowed to arrogate to themselves the danger ous powers to tax us at will Tht power of taxation is a sovereign prerogative, and one that all history teaches mut be carefully guirded. By the British constitution there c-uld bo no taxation without reoretentation and all bills for that purpose must originate in tho House of Commons. With us it re sides only in the Legislature and cannot be delegated to individuals or private corpora tions. As asserted by commltt os ot (Jon- gress and nl tho .Legislature ot the state New York, it is now tho duty of Congress ami tho State Legislature of this Nation to do what ought to have been do io when these I'orporations were chartered. That is fix limits to their charges nnd say in tho name of of thu people, and for the people, what shall ix a ju t compensation tor their cervices, and fix it by jut leg il enactments. That legisla tion is needed by Congress to control these monopolies has, as we have seen, boon nsserteil by Congress through its committee'. Has also beeu shown by evidence taken before leg islative co'iimit ccs, and uy a vast accumula tion of undisputed facts, gathered from the records and confessions of nilroad officials, proving beyond question their uniust dis criminations aud taxations. These facts have been published in tho GraniO press and inde pendent magazines and newspapers of tho country. And now a vast nnjinf. of the people Ot this Union are, 1 believe, fully pursuance mar, me nest interest and even tin fafety of tho country demands such leg islation, Thu fabulous wealth accumulated in a few years by railroad managers and owncrr is itsclt conclusive evidence that they have mado illegitimate exactions on our com meico, Uunl human nature is changed it will not do to trust any class of men with tho unlimit'd power to tax the labor of others. For com iiou experience aud history teach us that the avarice of men is not saluted with great gain, but that their greed increases and becomes more eager with their accumulations. I'hcir desire also to use power and dictate t tho people, and control the affairs of the Stato is tho natural result of their sudden and vast wealth, and has made thrss princely es tates a most dangerous power in tho common wealth, and like, the ancient Findal system, incompatible with fine iusiitutious. These rich men, having always at command vast sums of mouev,hvo not uufreqnently used it tu control elections and corrupt legis lators. This was confessed bv Mr J iv Gould in his sworn testimony before tho Uopburn conini tteo, where ho Baid "thoy paid money ircuiv vi iimueuce elections sn i procure lavor able legislation until as he said the instauces nt these payments were so numerout that he could uo moro recall them to his memory than the numbers of the various freight cars that ptssod over the K le railroad." Thus we are made to furnish the money to corrupt the representative of the people, whom we have chosen and trusted with our most laered Interests! And y for forging the very shackles whioh are to hold us as ser's to those self constituted lords. Many proinioeot men of this nation bv seen aud arc heeding the progress of this dangerous and sigantio power. lln. Daid l)aia late Vice-President ot the United States, in a recent letter says: ' Great corporations and consolidated monop olies are fast surging the avenues of power that lead to the control of the giivirommt. It is an open secret that they rule State through procured legislatures, and corrupt ouuuts; that they are itrong iu Congress, and that they are unscrupulous in the use of means to oouquer prejudice and acquire In fluence. This condition of thiux is truly alarming, forunleasit be changed quickly aud thoroughly free institution are doomed to bo subverted beyond oligarchy resting on the lias's of money and corporate power. ' The late Secretary of the Treasury,. Mr Windom, in .a recent letter to the anti-monopoly league; say : "The channels of thought and the channels of commerce thru owned and controlled by one man, or by a few men, what is torestrain corporate power, or to fix a limit to its exac tions upon the peop'e ? What is to hinder them from depressing or inflating the value of all kinds of property to suit their caprice or averice, and thereby gathering into their own onfiers the wealth ot the nation; wnere is the limit to such a power as this ? What s'-all hn said of the spirit of a free people who will submit without protest to be thus bound hand an-l foot?" Govarnor Gray, of Indiana, in a message to the Legislature of that State said : "In mv iudement the republic cannot live long in the atm isphere that now surrounds the ballot Dox. Moneyed corporations, to se cure f evorahle legislation for themselves, are takinr? an active part in elections by furnish- iug large sums of money to corrupt the voter and purchase special privileges irom ine gov ernment. If money can control the decision of the ballot box, it will not ne longoeioreit can control its existence. This is in entire accordance with' the views of Daniel Webster, who said : ' The freest government cannot long exist where the tendency of the law is to create a rapid accumulation of property in the hands of a few, and to render the masses poor and dependent.'" The New York Times, in speaking of the encrotchments of corporate power, says : "It is not only absorbing to itself the traits of labor and the gains of trade, and piling up wealth in the hands of a few, but it is con trolling legislation and endeavoring to sway the decisions of courts iu its own interest. We are now at that stage in the contest where the people may vindicate their author ity and place these corporations under the regulation of law." The press, with the exception of that por tion which is owned or subsidized, is with the people, and as the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, in a recent edito-ial, said : "There is a pretty general feeling that the continent of America was not discovered by Columbus and civil liberty established by the fathers of the Republic, to the end that fifty millions of people might be made tributary to a baud of railroad magnates, or mas farmers, aruzaus and merchants might, by hard work and keen competition, raise up a dozen Vanderbilts, with each several hundred millions of dol lars " Thoss who entertain this feeling have become persuaded that the time has come for the industrious masses of this country to pro tect themselves. It will certainly not oe easier after the adversary bas grown stronger. As said by Hon. Jeremiah S. Black : "AH public men must take sides on this question. Thero can be no neutrals. He that is not for us is against us. We must have legal protec tion against these abuses. This agitation once ocean and tho magnitude of the grievance being understood, it will force our rulers to give us a remedy against it. The monopolies witl resist with all their arts and influence, but fifty millions ot people, in process of time, will learn the important fact that they are fifty millions strong." I might go on quoting the declarations and warnings ot eminent men on this subject until this address would swell io volumes 1 only present these to show that there is an awaken ing among the people on this subject outside the gates of our order, and that we who have been the pioneers in agitating this subject are pow supported by powerful allies who will work with us until the restraining hand of just laws shall hold in check these monopo lies and curb their insatiate greed of gam and lust for power. The people have been long suf fering and borne with strange patience the burdens to utjustly, and even arrogantly im- 5sed on them; but they will not always en ure their wrongs and havn others enjoy the profits of their labor. They must assert their supremacy and hold the sovereign power, "the creature cannot be greater than the ere at r." As declared by the National Grange : "There is something wrong wljen corporations organized for the publio service can direct the profits of labor to their own coffers, with no regulating force to intervene; something to correct when a Croesus springs from momen tary resolve; something to regulate when in iudivi lual wealth, by absorption, swells from a modest competence in a few years a score or less to a hundred millions, to two hun dred millions. That thesa things havo hap. peiied is a matter of c immon notorte'.y.". To correct theso abuses the grange has pledged i influence. EMJCATIOS. Ono of the primary objects of tho grano is to educato its msmbers and elevate the agri culture! classes to a higher moral and iute lectual plain, and biiig them to.ethor in closor union of thought and auti mi. The wint of acurate business education among farmers lias ever been a hinderance to their thrift, nnd a source of profit to those who handle their produc ions, and furnish to them supplies for their farms aud families. Tho news of the fluctuations of the prices of their produo s in tho markets, are systeinati;aiiy aud dilli'onaly kept from them through tho machinations of middlemen, who have largely profited from their iguorauce. To secure such early and correct commercial information as will save us from imposition and loss is one of the objects of our order. We are also ad monished by our declaration of purposes and ritual to promote among ourselves the culti vation of literary attainments, that we may possess tho leading ideas which influence cul tivated socloty, and be able to express our selves either orally or in writing, with accu racy aud ease. We should also give special attention to those b ionces, a knowledge of which will aid us in better preparing and enriching our Boils, for we are all aware that the natural sciences and especially chemistry, have contributed much to agricultural ad- ancement, and increased the profits of our farms. Tho common schools of the State should receive our special care, as they must be the chief public means of education the uuiiiire-u ui lurmers, ami, wnere wen siruaiea in rural neighborhoods, if properly furnished and kept, are the best shoots iu which to ac quire a good prac' leal education. Being away Irom the excitemoi.ts ot towns the children who attend them are not attracted by the many enticing alurements whioh are ever present on the thronged thoroughfares, to iiivtrt their minds from useful study, and when the hours of study arc over, and the seductive e veiling hours come on, they are at home under parental care in the quiet countr, where no demoralizing influences aurrouud them, and where pure air invigorates their health and the scenery of green fields and wooded hills" elevates and parities their thoughts and asperations. Iu our pursuit of knowledge we must not stop with the school- room, we have thero only learned the art of learning, simply found the index to the great treasure of knowledge. Wa must continue to be diligout searchers after truth, and the Rrauge will greatly assist us to make oar learutog deeper and brua.ter and more prac tical all along the journey of life. Well stored mind will be a comfort to our live, an kid to our buaiueaa, an aasnranee of respect alility, aud fit us better to discharge the duties wa owe to our families, to socioly and the Stat. I again call vour attention to the importance of iutroduciug into curriculum of the common school of thu State, some short yet comprehensive Uxt book on agtieultural 1, 1883. science. The principles of agriculture would be a blessing and profitable stady for children and Impsrt to them a kind of knowledge whioh would be useful in after year whatever might be their pursuit in life. In aid of agricultural education our agricul tural college should be made to perform an important part. Such wa the design of its creation and the reason of its endowment by the general government. This institution should rank with the highest and best of our college in the breadth and general scope of the educational facilities it affords, and be specially prepared to teach those sciences which naturally concern and aid agriculture. It should make them a specialty and in thoir development outrank other institutions The time has been, when the doctrine ob tained among many that to be a farmer a man, need only know how to read, write and cipher to the rule of three, and to bo a farmers wife in good standing a woman need only know how to read the Bible and hymn book, and how to cook, spin and weave. A strange prejudice, begotten of the jealous tyranny of former ages, camedown to us from our ancestors that impressed a fear on many who were learned, that too much learning among the tilleis of the soil was a dangerous tning, and would tend to make them discon tented with their lot, make them lose rever ence for their learned superiors, heoiim im patient of control, and turn to way of idle ness and vice. This sentiment is still enter tained by some who contend that society must exist in classes. As late as 1861 there met a public body of learned men of tho old style, in tho State of Virginia who solemnly resolved that it waa not well or safe for the well being of society, that laborers should be educated beyond thu lessonsnecessary to their vocation. It may be that the sentiments tnere expressed were the legitimate deductions of men who were then trying to found a com monwealth whose "chief corner stone was slavery" and that these ideas have been modi fied by the subsequent downfall of their un stable fabric. But these sentiments are inher ent in the human race and will ri e again whenever and wherever wealth shall seek to dominate overlabor. In tho struggle for re spectability, wealth and influence, farmers must lay hold o i a higher education. It is tho mightiest factor in the control of the affairs of the civilized world. It constitutes the createst difference between the savage and civilized man. If farmers suffer those of other pursuits to outstrip in general intelli gence, they will rule over them. To bring farmers and their families up to an intellect ual plain equal to that occupied by thevoteries of other professions is one of the special mis sions of the Grange. We must therefore use every mesns we have in the College of Agri cultural department our schools and our Granges, to promote general education among farmers, so that they may be the equals of the men and women of other professions in learning, in manners, and in their ability to do their own business, and be able to exact their sharo of influence in society and the State. We must w ipe out and silence the sneering reproaches of those who call us coun try rustics, and be able to come to the front and hold an even hand in the great contests ou the stage of life, CORTORATIOS In business if properly conducted i a most effi ient means of educating our m mbers in the ways of trade, and commerce. Where subordinate Granges have started small estab lishments on the plan laid down in the digest of the National Grange, thev have generally been successful. All who become members of such associations, learn from experience the prices of the goods in which thay deal and the profits made on them. They also learn how the products ot their farms, and thegoods they buy for their families are handled and how many profits are made on them by mid dle men. We do not complain of middle men. There must be enough of them to make the necessary traasfers of products, f,om the pro ducers, to the consumers and they are entitled to reasonable compen sation for their services and interest on their capital employed in this business. But the buying and selling of produce merely for speculation, benefits noone but the specu lators, and is against the interest of the pro ducer and aninjury to legitimate trade. There is ro good reason why the farmer or his agent, the warehouseman, (who should never be the agent of the speculator) cannot sell wheat to the shipper or foreign merchant without the intervention of other go-betweens. If even twenty Granges in this State had each a cor porative establishment such as isnowoporated by tho McMintiville Grange, they could by combining their trade at a single house in Portland, make the very best terms for the purchase of their goods, and for the sale of their surplus produce, and soon build up a trade of great importance and profit to the members ot the order, who participated in their enterprises. Our brethren of Mc Minnville Grange aro doing ex ceedingly well but further co-operation by other granges would enablo them to do still better; and by such co operation we would be able to establish a permanent agency in Portland, which would be a eonrca ot great convenience aud profit to t'n mem bers of our order. Frrm what I have learned of the success of co-operation in California and other sister States, and from what I have seen hero in this State and especial'y in Linn county I am fully pereuuled that through an intelligent and pru lent co-operation in business we can almost entirely con trol our own affairs, and be enabled to deal with our fellow men of'othn' professions on equal terms and secure to ourselves what our produce is worth in the markets f the world where it is consumed, after deducting thu customary freights and charges, and that we eould in a great measure control these freights aud charges. We could also, by uniformly putting our produce on the market in good order, secure an advantage. When the i.ord grange is seen on a sack of wool or other pro duce it should be a guarantee of the quality it represents. Co operation in business among the members of our order is now no longer au experiment. It lias grown into a regular sys tem Which experience has now so far per fected that we have been able to lev down iu our digest general rub which, if fo lowed, wilt guard us from dangerous risks. Most of these co operate establishments (which are now very numerous) are eminently successful. and all the members of the subordinate grange, where co-operation is practicable under this system, are afforded a most Valua ble opportunity of learning the way of prac tical bus ness. That education which enable men and women to lead successful and useful lire is not learned from books aloue, it i gathered up in the experience of lite, in the eitti.e, the workshop, on the farm and in the actual practice oi all the useful occupat ous wmen employ tne people in all the great avenue of civilized society. Thou imnioA. where some business co-operation is carried on are generally the most prosperou and their meetings moat satisfactory and profitable. A a mean of facilitating co-operation every grange ahould embrace the earliest opportu nity to build a grange, hall and store-room. Tm wilt be the home of the grange and serve asr the nucleus to hold the members to gether in iuterest and sympathy. It will bo the place of deposit of their archive; can ha usee! a a stare-noose for their goods and pro dace intended for market, and will become a neighborhood canter and rallying point, and the very stractar itself will become hallowed by fratamal asoooistioas, and be a nnament in honor of tho grange, and like a church or a sohool-house, ever suggestive to the Carmen of the vicinity of the grand purpises and principle of our order. Till ORANOK FBKSS Ha become a most important factor in pro mulgating our principles and educating onr members, and also in advocating those great reform suggested and advocated by our order, miking them prominent before the people. A said by brother Akin : "There is now a grange literature," which is every year becoming more prominent and useful in promulgating grange ideas, advancing the intelligence and elevating the standard of farmers. We have sent to all the grange for discussion questions, issued quarterly by Brother Estbough, the worthy Lecturer of the National Grange. These questions should be discussed, not only in the granges but in the grange papers, and the minds of farmers directed to the great principle on which our order is founded. Whatever is thought worthy of discussion bv the National Orange ahould be discussed iu our grange papers. Let this discussion be frank and free. Let them approve where the judgment ap proves, and criticized where criticism is deemed proper. We invite criticism, for it ta by discussion that truth is developed and im pressed on the minds of men and error dis covered and corrected. Every patron should take some thorough grange paper devoted to the interests of agriculture and the princi ples of our order. Of these there are many that are able and conducted by some of the ablest thinkers and writer of the age men eminent in our order and devoted to our noble principles and work. Ihe immense in crease in the number and circulation of the now distinguished and useful journals within the last few years is itself a rn-nt important testimony to the influence and progress of the order. , STATE LECTURERS. In addition to an efficient grange press, we need to put lecturers in the field to visit the subordinate granges and bear to them onr fraternal greetings, and fully expldn and illustrate our principles and make suggestion for the good of the order, and go to new field and organize new granges where suitable material is found. In all the periods of human progress the voice of the loving advocate of good princi ples has ever been one of the chief means of imparting useful knowledge, and promoting reforms. It was by this means, in a great measure, that the principles of our order were first promulgated and spread abroad, and made to take root among the farmer of the country; and in order to do the best and most efficient work for the order we must continue to keep our lecturers in the field. They should at proper times deliver public lectures that all fanners and others, who wish to hear, may know our principles. This will have a ten dency to dispel prejudice, and show to all outside our gates, that we seek no unjust ad vantages of other professions and classes, but are timply striving to build up and advance the moral and intelluctual conditions of farm ers, and raise them to a higher place in so ciety, and secure t0"thcm the just profits of their labor, and thereby stimul ite the enter prise and iicrea'e their thrift and influence. 'I he distinguished success that has attended the labors of grange lecturers in our siiter Stat en within the last two years, is an earnest of what we can do. Through their labor and other work the order waa last year in creased two thousand in the State of Main, and in like proportion in other States. As a rule we must first introduce our principle into new neighborhoods by one who is a lov ing bearer of our kind greetings to our fellow farmers. Through him we can direct their minds to the wrongs they bear and the power they have to obtain a higher and better life for themselves and families and teach them how to correct the evils and remove the op pressions which have been imposed on them through the selfish combinations of Others. I invite your earnest attention to this import ant subject. CIVIL SERVICE REFORM, Was also considered by the National Grange. While the grange docs not tolera'e the discus sion of partisan politics within its gates, it recognizes the right of every member to us his tree judgment on all partisan questions. There are, however, many subjects pertaining to the affairs of government which are not partisan. Proposed reforms in the conduct of public affairs which tond to promote greater Honesty and emciency in tne admin strative departments rf the government, should never be partisan ; for all dishonesty or inefficiency in the public service is alike detrimental to the whole people, and should recive tho condem nation of all good citizens. These abuse none dare openly defend and they should never be concealed to other party success. Tho trouble has often been, that unfaithful ness and fraud iu office, have been winked at, in some casef in consideration of personal service rendered to the parly in power, by the incumbent ; in other cases Congressmen and Senators having vertually the appointing power in their respective States, have used it to perpetuate themselves in office, and too often shared iu the pecuniary profits of polit ical jobs and being participants in guilt could not expose their own villiany. This danger ous power should be taken from Senators and congressmen, and their valuable time devoted to the interests of the country they represent and not to the contemptible squabbles of men contending for ofhYo They should be made to remember that they are the servants and not tne masters oi the people. A public opinion should be created that will make it not only dishonorable but dangerous for a representative to.tako his own advance ment at the expenso of his constituent. The known will of those who elected him should always bo obeyed, and that men should even be ostradsod as a trator to his country who betrays a publio trust. The insatiable greed for office has now M demoralized partisan politics that the conten tion between the great political parties of the country at the general e'eciiong is as a mild controversy compared with the bitter strife between contending applicants for office, a the reward for politic il service. This ha made politics a profession in which i em barked political schemes and place huutera of every degree, who throng all the avenue of political preferment, seeking from thedispert- ersoi oiu jepisiuons in which, to exercise power and live on, and amass fortunes fiom fie pub lic reveuues. As a class they are but little better than professional gamblers, and their presenceand success, at the national and State capitols i a menace to honest government, aud baa done much to degrade aud disgrace the Publio aervlae. The very demoralization of which ha excited the gravest fear in the mind of many of oar ablest statesmen for the future safety of our free institution For any government, the admlnistraii in of wbiafa I in a great measure entrusted to those wb plunder it treasury to amass wealth, and law trench the-mselve in power, cannot long exist. coscLuaio.x. In addition to the subject presents! iathl impeifect address, your attention will be drawn to many Other matters dean-sins- sreau- attention, which will be aaggeated by your firmer observation of oar wna-k and by what may occur during your de liberation here. The longer we have beea connected with tho order asd observed ite progress, the more wo hay becaaas f misl (Concluded Mveath page.) l 1 1 Vl i jp . i'v A. S if " ..J(.T
