PROGRESS OF THE ORDER.

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CHAPTER XV.

THE SECOND ANNUAL MEETING.

LARGE ATTENDANCE — – WORTHY MASTER HAMILTON'S ADDRESS-A GRANGE FU

NERAL-FESTIVAL OF POMONA-IMPORTANT RESOLUTIONS--ABSTRACT OF REPORT OF STATE AGENT: OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: OF THE TREASURER: OF THE LECTURER: OF THE MANAGER OF DAIRY PRODUCE DEPARTMENT: OF COMMITTEE ON THE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE OF THE STATE UNIVERSITY: OF THE COMMITTEE ON IRRIGATION: OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND LABOR: OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE GOOD OF THE ORDER.

The State Grange of California convened for its second annual session in Stockton on the 6th of October, 1874, and was opened by Worthy Master Hamilton, in the usual form; eighty Masters, seven Past Masters, and twenty-seven Matrons were present, and others were added from day to day, as the meeting progressed.

Not only was the time during three daily sessions crowded with work, but a daily meeting of the Fruit Growers was held, to dispose of questions affecting their interests alone. All Fourth Degree members were cordially invited to attend the session in that degree. The largest hall in Stockton, beautifully decorated with appropriate emblems of the plenteous harvest, was prepared for the occasion, to which the services of an excellent choir gave an additional charm.

From the instructive address of the Worthy Master, we gather the following report of progress and specific recommendations:

One year ago we numbered one hundred and four Granges, with a membership of three thousand one hundred and sixty-eight. Today we report two hundred and thirty-one Granges, with a membership of eighteen thousand five hundred, to which may be added a membership of two hundred in the State of Nevada, at present under our jurisdiction.

Our Order has been progressing. It has made a steady and vigorous growth. Our power and strength have been appreciated. Our business arrangements have been so conducted that we have derived great good from them, but they have not been as effective as they should have been. This is from a variety of causes, among which may be placed that misunderstanding which seems to prevail in regard to the duties of Patrons to each other and to the Order. Our organic law provides for an association intended for co-operative purposes, each part of which is dependent upon some other to make

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it effective. These parts, taken singly, are but weak and imperfect; but when all are combined, they make a machine of wondrous porrer and utility. When we become Patrons, we agree to relinquish many individual rights we previously enjoyed, and bind ourselves to cooperate for certain purposes. These purposes are plainly prescribed, and, to a great extent, the mode of accomplishing them is pointed out. No Patron, no Grange, no Council-under the arrangement of our organic law—has any right to adopt any plan for business purposes, without first ascertaining whether such plan is in accord with the general good of the Order. No one can be allowed to carry out selfish views, and devise a system which, although advantageous to themselves, may be injurious to other members or other parts of the Order. Our strength lies in our united action, and in order to carry out our objects there must be no jarring, no clash, no discord; but all must work smoothly together, each must perform the duty assigned to it.

The general objects we have in view are so plain we need not err therein, but, hand in hand and shoulder to shoulder, we should keep step in our onward march, and be true to ourselves and to each other. In order to accomplish this, it is absolutely necessary that we must not only be united in our efforts, but we must adhere to plans formed by those we have placed in position for that purpose. If there are any who cannot do so, they are out of place. They may be with us, but they are not of us; their presence, their voices, their acts, are elements of weakness instead of strength, and we should avail ourselves of the ample means which have been provided by our laws to remove such from among us.

A due regard is not always observed to our obligation to keep secret the work of our Order; our business arrangements are often divulged without any intention of wrong doing. Patrons give some friend, or perhaps some member of their family, information as to some of the advantages we derive from our connection with the Order. This is wrong. Each one should always remember that they are pledged to strict secrecy in regard to all information of every kind they receive in the Grange.

No one has any right to divulge to an outsider what occurs within our gates--not a word spoken or an act taken of any kind. The business arrangements confided to us are not our own. They belong to others, and we have no right, either morally or legally, to use the property of others in such a way that the owners thereof may be injured by our act.

The Grangers' Bank is an institution growing out of our necessities. Without it we are destitute of an important auxiliary to carry out the plans and purposes we have in contemplation in regard to storing, shipping, and selling grain in the home and foreign markets, in the arrangements contemplated for the future, for procuring direct from manufacturers, on the most favorable terms, such articles as were needed by Patrons. With it, we have financial facilities afforded by which we can be assisted in the operation of our agencies, be aided in carrying our crops, and obtaining such money accommodations as from time to time are almost indispensable, without having to pay exorbitant rates of interest. Although a difference of

THE BANK AND INSURANCE COMPANY.

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opinion did exist among Patrons at the inception of the enterprise, as to the expediency of attempting to carry it through at the time, and the prospect of its final success, the bank is now an established fact. It has been in operation nearly three months, and the amount of business done through it, and the superior facilities it affords for the transaction of our business, are so apparent, that these differences have become almost entirely removed.

Patrons are now stockholders, I believe; fully double the number of shareholders in any other bank in California, and these are from every part of our State. By far the largest number of certificates are for a few shares of stock. Thus the responsibility for its proper management, and the benefit to be derived from it, are shared by so many members of our Order, that it is in reality, as well as name, the Grangers' Bank of California.

From the opportunity afforded me for observation, I am able to say that all the business transactions and all the financial arrangements are carried on in such a safe and conservative manner, that, as long as the present policy is pursued, I cannot see how any disaster can overtake it, or any injury arise from it. The interests of the stockholders are so well guarded, and their control and management of it so directly in their own hands, that nothing but gross neglect on the part of the friends of the Bank will ever allow any advantage to be taken of it, or a loss sustained by those investing money in it. Over 1,300 Patrons are now stockholders in the Bank, having 10,802 shares. This, I believe, is more than double the number of stockholders in any other bank in California, and they are from every part of the State. Thus the impossibility of its improper management.

The Grangers' Insurance Company meets a great want among the agriculturists of this State; and Patrons, instead of having to depend upon others to assist them in repairing losses, which from time to time are sustained from fire, have a friend of their own, bred and born in the Order, managed and controlled by themselves, of but a short existence, still fast assuming vast proportions; and from the rapidity with which Patrons are availing themselves of the security it affords them against losses, its popularity is becoming more and more manifest, and confidence in it is becoming stronger every day. Its policies embrace all the most improved features adopted by other fire associations; the care exercised in taking only what are termed by all underwriters first-class risks; the low rates of premium required-all recommend it strongly to the patronage of our Order, and all should unite in availing themselves of the benefits to be derived.

And now, Patrons, let me again remind you, we have our task before us, and all our ability will be taxed to devise plans to plish it; all our energies will be required to carry it into effect. If we are but true to ourselves and the cause we have espoused, by the light of the new era which has dawned, we will secure better and brighter days for the tillers of the soil than they have ever enjoyed. We will establish a test of true manhood, and make honor, honesty, and capacity the crucible in which to try men's fitness for place and power. When this is done, we will realize the benefits we have

sought for, and then, but not until then, can we sit under our own vines and fig-trees without molestation, and enjoy the fruits of our labors.

The death of Sister Stephens, one of the charter members of the Stockton Grange, having occurred during this session, the State Grange adjourned for the purpose of attending her funeral, and with the solemn and impressive service of the Order, the remains of the deceased Sister were committed to the grave.

On the evening of the third day, the hall having been duly prepared, the Fifth Degree was conferred upon one hundred and four Masters and thirty-six Matrons; when the festival of Pomona was celebrated by two hundred of her votaries. The creed of the Patron requires that the social features of the Order be ever held as of the highest importance.

A great number of resolutions were presented and discussed during the session, which illustrated the benefits of the Grange in calling attention to defects in legislation, and the bearings of other pursuits and interests upon agriculture. Among the more important resolutions adopted were the following:

Whereas, The State Grange of California believes that conference and consultation with transportation companies is preferable to legislation, when it can accomplish the same. Therefore,

Resolved, That our Executive Committee be requested to confer with the Directors of the Central Pacific Railroad Company, and see if they cannot secure from them such reductions on freights and fares as may seem desirable and just; also, that they confer with other transportation companies of our coast for similar reductions.

Resolved, That in view of the great scarcity of domestic help in this State, it shall be the duty of the Executive Committee to take immediate steps to perfect such arrangements with the Order in the Atlantic States, as will enable us to import female help under the auspices of the Order.

Resolved, That the attention of the farmers of this State should be directed to the culture of cotton as one of the staples, thereby producing that diversity of products so necessary to develop our agricultural wealth.

Resolved, That as soon as the Secretary of the State Grange is notified of the ratification of the amendments to the Constitution of the National Grange by the proper authority, the Executive Committee of the State Grange are hereby authorized to establishi regulations for the organization of County or District Granges.

Resolved, That the Executive Committee are hereby authorized to immediately mature a plan for the incorporation of the State Grange as a corporate body, for the purpose of carrying out the demands of our Order.

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