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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.)
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