ISSUED Iii? EXECUTIVE Michigan State yang 9 V131’ to COMMITTEE Grange, P. of H. l|1ON1'HLI VoL. 2. SCHOOLCRAFT, SEPTEMBER, 1876. No. 6. THE GRANGE VISITOR, Is Published lllonthly, AT THIRTY CENTS PER ANN UM, lnvariably in Advance. J. J. WOODMAN, - ‘OBB, - - ,_ .,_ L }rubnsmng Committee. All communications should be addressed to J. T. Cobb, Schoolcraft, Mich. Remittances should be by Registered Letter, Money Order or Draft. Runs or Anvnnrismc 2 2 . $3. .50 .00 .00 1 m. 1 Square .... --i $2.00 . 2 “ V r 3.00 5 , . . 1/, Column___-’ 4.00 7 , . . [ . ‘A " ----l 7.00 12 J 1.5.00 25.00 ; 45.00 A Square is one inch in space, column width. >3 .2 .; its. . 3. 9 ‘» Ir Is not the purpose of the Executive Com- mittee in continuing the publication of the Vlsrron, by direction of the State Grange, to deviate from the coufse first marked out in Feb- ruary last, which was to furnish the most direct, complete and cheapest medium of communica- tion between the oflicers and members of the Order throughout the State. We hope Masters and Secretaries will not fail to call the attention of members to every matter of general interest, which appears in the VISITOR. Communications on any subject, calculated to promote the good of the Order, are solicited. f For Grange Supplies kept by tlze Secretary, see “ Lxsr or SUPPLIES” on seventh page. Officers Michigan State Grange. Paw Paw. - - Tecumseh. . . - Muskegon. . FLEMING, - - - Pontiac. . . W. H. MATTISON, - - Ionia. . - - - Albion. Schoolcraft. II .—S. F. BROWN, - - — . .-—A. E. STRONG, - - . Vicksburg. CEBES.—MBS. N. CHILSON, Battle Creek. Poxo2u—Mas. W. T. ADAMS, Grand Rapids. FLORA-—M.BS. J. J. WOODMAN, Paw Paw. L. A. S.—Mas. W. H. MATTISON, Ionia. Executive committee. J. WEBSTER CHILDS, Chairm’n, Ypsilanti. F. M. HOLLOVVAY, - - Joneavflle, GEO. W. WOODWARD, Shelby, Oceana Co. SAMUEL LAN GDON, Bowen Stat’n. Kent Co. C. G. LUCE, - - Gilead, Branch Co, S. E. J EFFRES, - Okemos, Ingham Co. W. A. WALES, - - Disco, Macomb Co, J. J. WOODMAN, J. T. COBB, - Ex. Ofiicio. State Business Agent. J. H. GARDNER, Centreville, St. Joseph Co. Deputies. . L. WHITNEY, General Deputy, Muskegon. . W. ADAMS, Lenawee Ho. “ Tecumseh. . 0. SMITH, Osceola “ - “ C)'apo_ URTL’D H1LI.. Ciinton “ — ‘* Bengal. S. ANDERSON, Sanllac " “ Farmers. . SHATIUCK, Saginaw “ ‘* . ROBERTSON, Sh1awas’e “ ‘9 M. F. L1.-:wIs.‘ Occana “ “ —__.._, 8. STRJUGHT, 9' Painesvllle Owosso. Wayne 9' General Notice. In compliance with Sec. 1, Art. 3, By-Laws of the Michigan State Grange, the Executive, Committee have determined upon the following plan for the election of the represent- ative members of the State Grange : A County Convention of Masters and their wives, and two fourth de- gree members, elected by ballot by each subordinate Grange in a County, shall meet at 10 o’clock A. M., on Thursday, the 12th day of October, at the county seat of the several coun- ties of this State, or at such other place as the Masters of a County may agree upon, and after organizing by the election of a Chairman and Sec- retary, shall proceed to elect repre- sentatives to the State Grange. Where a Master and his wife are unable to attend tbs! Convention the Grange may elect four delegates from its membership. VVhen one—fifth of the Granges rep- resented in a County Convention de- mand it, the Convention shall proceed to district the county before an elec- tion is held. The election of repre- sentatives shall be by ballot, and Granges delinquent in reports or in payment of fees and dues for more than two quarters, can not take part in the election. A certificate showing the election of members of the State Grange from the county, shall be signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the Con- vention, and forwarded to the Score- tary of the State Grange. J. VVEBSTER CHILDS, J. T. COBB, Sec. Chair-’n Ex. Com. Mssrnns and Secretaries will please notice in Secretary's Department a list of Granges delinquent in reports or in payment of dues, that will not be entitled to representation in the County Conventions, if their reports for the quarter ending March 31st, 1876, and dues to that date are not received by me prior to October 7th. J. T. C. The Trip of the Season to the Centennial Exhibition. 4 On Tuesday, October 3d, 1876, the Ionia. Light Guards have made ar- rangements for a grand excursion to Philadelphia, leaving Ionia via D., L. & L. M. R. R., thence via Canada Southern to Buffalo, New York Cen- tral to Rochester, Northern Central [.0 Philadelphia and return, for $17. Or return via. New York and a. day- light ride on the Hudson River from New ¥9.rk to Albany. Or by rail f.r9m New York to Albany, thence rail via N. Y. Central to Suspension Bridge and Niagara Falls, thence via Canada Southern and D., L. & L. M. Roads home, for $1 extra, or $18 the entire round trip. Tickets good for sixty days, with lay-over privileges both going and returning. Fare from Detroit direct and return, $13.00; return via New York, $14.00. For further particulars address L. B. TOWNSEN, Ionia. The above notice I received from Bro. Sessions on the 8th inst., and gave it general circulation by having it printed on a circular which _I was about distributing to all Grange Sec- retaries in the State. I have the as- surance of Bro. Sessions that this ex- cursion is under good management. The price is, I believe, lower than any excursions that have preceded it thus far. All Patrons have an invi- tation to join this excursion. J. T. 0. Good Effects of the Centennial Exhibition. The thought that the Centennial Exhibition at Philadelphia is a world’: blessing, has probably not entered many minds. The good that such an exhibition produces is seldom alluded to, much less that this good is as wide-spread as the world itself. Such enterprises revives friendly competi- tion between nations, and a very gen- erous effort to outshine in various departments is inaugurated. Per- haps one of the most beneficial fea- tures, is the practical knowledge so many foreigners are receiving of the institutions of this country. The for- eigners who cross the ocean to see the Centennial do not glean all this knowledge at Philadelphia. They take occasion to go out into the smaller towns and cities, and spend days and week examining our ways of living, our local governments, our public and private schools, our ways of worship, our peculiar independ- ence, our gathering of taxes, our pos- tal system, and hundreds of other, to them, objects of interest. It is a max‘- vel to them how in s republic-heavy taxes can be levied and collected with so little opposition and loss ;- and how methodically so extensive machinery as that of government can be carried on so well with 'the full consent of the governed. May we not hope that the visible good effects of our system of government shall so fully perme- ate the veins of every visiting for- eigner, that there shall bo no rest in any of the kiudoxns of the earth until ....¢,;_._- ., -4..- as .. -...... ...; ,.~....« .. .._:.. _......«,.....~ ..._.... .9 =% 1 i 5 - -.«ss;-.»..... 2 THE GRANGE VISITOR. all are as free and independent of.the dictates of imperialism, as the United States of America-—Fu,rmer's Friend. Grange Supply House!- W. H. Hill, the business agent of the patrons of Ohio, and one of the best in the country, says. in a letter to the Cincinnati Grange Bulletin: “That for eighteen months past the business of the agency has steadily increased, and its operations for the year 1876, will exceed the amount of $2,000,000. A large number of joint stock supply houses have been estab- lished throughout the State, and, so far as we can learn, they have been operated successfully, and are receiv- ing a liberal patronage from the pat- rons of husbandry, but there is still more work to be done to make the supply house eficient. They should be under the jurisdiction of the State Grange, and have a general superin- tendent to purchase supplies, secure a reduction in freights, and make con- tracts for machinery and agricultural implements. The orders from these houses could just as well be filled all at one time as to be filled singly. The grange superintendent could take his orders for sugar, rice, the , and go to the plantations and make his purchas- es direct from the producer, and there should be no necessity of a break in the bulk until the articles reached a general distributing point in Ohio.—— And so with other articles which go to make up the stock of these supply houses. A co-operation of these hous- es is necessary to make them really of benefit to the order. Merchants throughout the country make the bulk of their purchasers twice a year, in the fall-and spring. These supply houses can do the same thing. In- stead of the superintendent of each house going into the market and pur- chasing what he may need, let the or- ders be made out and sent to the gen- eral superintendent and have the purchases for all the houses made at one time. When this is done, the combinations of middlemen gotten up for the purpose of breaking down sup- ply houses, will avail nothing. These supply houses might also be made a savings bank where patrons could de- posit money and receive a fair rate of interest for the use of it. The hou- ses. could reloan it on good security and for such a length of time as would suit the depositors. We hope there will be some change made looking to complete combination of all these sup- ply houses under the management of one superintendent, who will be en- trusted with the purchase of supplies and a supervision of everything that will be" of mutual benefit. _ - We would be glad to hear through the grange ‘press from superinteu- dents of supply houses an expression of sentiment on this matter. A few years of co-operation by patrons, and hard work on the part of grange offi- cials, will-result in bringing together the manufacturer, producer and con- sumer; then the urbane gentleman, who have been playing a middle. part for these many years, can turn their attention to other pursuits, and, no doubt, many of them will become til- lers of the soil, and eventually useful members of the grange. We made a large purchase of salt, coal oil and stone fruit jars in car load lots each, and coifee in ten and twenty sack lots this week for supply houses in the State, at such rates as will enable them to undersell any dealer in the country. If we had orders from all these houses in the State f0!‘ the gro- ceries, dry goods, boots and shoes, etc., that they would need for the next six months, we could purchase and deliver to each house their sup- plies at figures that would astonish them.” Scenes from Real.Life. SCENE I. Actors—A weather beaten old far- mer and a sprightly young “elevator man.” l’lace———A‘most any village or city in the West. Old farmer drives on the scales with a load of wheat. Ele- vator man with pencil behind ear and book in hand, feels and smells a hand- ful of wheat. O. F.-—“What’s wheat to day '3” E. M.—“55.” O. F.——“55? can't you pay more than that? Why, it don't pay for harvesting, threshing and hauling, let alone seed, rent and-cultivation.” E. M.—Can’t help that, only 85 in Chicago. Freights, storage, insu- rance, commissions eat up all the rest. Unload there.” 0. F.—Returning: “How much ?” E. M.—“40 bushels, $22 ; here's your money. Good day.” scams II. Actors-—-Same ‘void farmer and a dapper merchant. Place-—Any store you please to en- ter. Old farmer, carefully ties his horses and entering, calls for sundry supplies. 0. F'.—"What’s nails by the keg ?” D. M.—“$5,50.” 0. F.—‘‘$5,50 ? Why! ’twas only $5,25'last week.” D, M.—“Yes, but the nail makers met and added 25 cents.” O. F.—“Added 25 cents? What's that for? "Does it cost any more to make them 9" D. M.——“Oh, well, we can’t help it; they have all combined together and set the price up.” 0. F.—-“How, many in a keg ?" D. M —“100 lbs.” O. F.—Lugging out nails. “Those nail makers are rascals, run up the price and run down the quality just at their own pleasure. Charge it.” Th Id f SCENE III. e o armer '0 ‘n home alone head down, thinkihggm g 0. F.—Who weighed my wheat ‘I- The elevator man. Who weighed my nails? The merchant. How do I know whether they gave honest weight ? I don’t know. What did my- wheat grade? I don’t know.— Whatis it worth in Chic 0? I don’t know; What does the reight costs I don know, nor what the necessa commission and storage. What does it cost to make nails? I don’t know. How much does the merchant get for selling those nails! I don’t know.‘ Who did the lifting and lugging! I did. What did the elevator man and merchant do? They handled the m°n°Y- It seems to me I am a-——— fool to let these pretty fellows walk around in their nice clothes and grow rich at my expense. I think it is time for us farmers to join together and try at least to know what things are worth, and to provide means of getting honest weights and measures. —P¢m-on’s Ifelper. From a. Sister. A live sister says in the C'ah:form'a Patron: “I am one of those who ap- preciate the Grange ; its principles being founded on justice and right.- Our sex has not been overlooked; the same rights and privileges are ac- corded to us that our brothers enjoy, and we should show by our acts that we appreciate them. How can we show ‘it better than by regular at- tendance at the Grange, and while there, by words and acts, encourag- ing not only our sisters, but our brothers also ? Indeed, the sisters being by nature more enthusiastic, can, by cheerful words, in many ways create a lively interest in the Grange. And now, sisters, right here is the field for our work, -let us do all we can by good example to arouse anew the enthusi- asm of our lukewarm brothers, and sisters, too ; let us talk, sing, do any- thing proper to make the Grange meetings lively and interesting. I don’t like to see in the Grange all the sisters ranged on one side of the hall like so many wall flowers. or wax dummies, without saying a‘ word or taking any part in the exercises. I don’t like it, and always sit by the side of my husband. Now I think we should all do likewise; and I would also suggest, that during the meeting of the Grange, a recess be taken, which will give us a chance to become better acquainted with each other, and to discuss the many topics of interest to us. One word to the sisters of any Grange where the brothers are so lukewarm that they are ready to al- low their Grange to pass out of ex- istence, if such should be the case, and they cannot be brought to a real- izing sense of their duty, so long as there remains enough women (13) to keep their charter, let them cling to it, as a drowning man clings to a spar. Let our motto be, “N o surren- der.” Let us show the brothers that we appreciate the benefits conferred on us by the Grange. Sisters. heed these words, and let us make our loved Grange, if not “a thing of beau- ty,” at least "a joy forever.” T The Executive Committee of the National Grange will meet at the Patrons’ Encampment, near the exhi- bition grounds, Philadelphia, Octo- ber 3d. Parties who desire to meet the committee on matters of business W11! bear in mind the date, and time their visits to the Centennial in the most pleasant month for sight seeing. @" Men who buy through the Grange on a cash basis, and then fail to make payment for months at a time, ought to be expelled. They are not only an injury to themselves, but to the Order generally, and bring re-. proach upon every patron. THE GRANGE ViSI’POR. gatstefs §tpattfl1tcltf. J. J. WOODMAN, PAW PAW. Bro. 0obb.——We left home on the morning of the 7th for Philadetphia. At Detroit we secured tickets via the Canada. Southern, Erie & Lehigh Valley roads. This is a very popular route for excursionists. The Canada Southern is one of the finest roads in the world, being about seventy per cent air line, with no grade exceed- ing fifteen feet to the mile, and laid with steel rail. The Erie and Lehigh Valley are first class roads, with firm track, steel rail, and good coaches. The scenery down the Susquehannah and Lehigh Rivers is picturesque and grand, beyond description; and the admirer of wild, rugged. natural scenery, would be delighted and well paid for the expense of the trip, if there was no “big show beyond.” “ When the visitor lands in Mauch Chunk for the first time, after passing through the magnificent scenery of its railway approaches, he looks around him in utter amazement and feels as if he had been suddenly set down in some foreign land, among scenes wholly unlike any he had ever before seen on this side of the Atlan- tic, and can scarcely realize that he is in a secluded inland town of south- eastern Pennsylvania; on reaching the depot platform and facing the west, the tourist at once obtains a view that repays coming hundreds of miles to see, and is only equalled or excelled by the views from the ver- andahs of the Mansion House and Flag SIa_.f_ Ledge. On his right, towering to the skies, is Bear Moun- tain, clothed in the most beautiful of forest foliage and verdure; on the left and sweeping to the front, follow- ing the windings of the Lehigh River, looms up to the very clouds, Munch Chunk or South Mountain. nearly one thousand feet above, and so steep that ascent even on foot seems nearly impossible; while to the north-west, beyond the most singular and irregu- lar village on which his bewildered vision ever fell, is seen the summit of Mt. Pisgah, at the foot of which is the starting point of the famous Switch-Back Railroad," which is an- nually visited with rare gratification by some forty thousand visitors.” Onr tain left Detroit about six o'clock P. M. of the 7th, and was ad- vertised to reach Philadelphia at 8 ‘ o'clock P. M. of the next day, but the increasing number of passengers and additional coaches contributed to de- lay our progress; and it was just midnight when we arrived at the Centennial depot. As the last train for the Patrons’ Encampment had gone, we took rooms for the night at the New England Hotel. After a few hours sleep and breakfast, we ,checked our baggage at the office, and soon found ourselves in the main building of the Centennial Exhibi- tion. The magniflcent display of the works of art, genius, and productive labor, that met our bewildered gaze on every hand, forcibly recalled to my _ mind the language of Macaulay, in his description of the great London Ex- position of 1851. The great histori- an wrote: “I made my way into the building; a most gorgeous sight ; graceful beyond the dreams of the Arabian romancer. I can not think that the Caesars ever exhibited a more splendid spectacle. I was quite daz zled ; and felt as I did on entering St. Peter’s.” Magnificent as the exhibi- tion in Hyde Park appeared to Mac- aulay, he would have admitted, had he lived to visit its great successor in Fairmount Park, that in this, the New World had eclipsed the Old. The entire area covered by that exhibition building was 13 acres. The main building of this alone covers 22 acres; and more than 60 acres of land is covered by exhibition buildings, and filled to their utmost capacity The exhibition is pronounced by all, to be the largest, grandest, and more attrac- .tive than any previous one of the kind the world has ever known. To attempt to describe it would be futile. To have any reasonable con- ception of its vastness and magnifi- cence, it must be seen. To view each article on exhibition in detail, would require the labor of months. To study and understand the mechanism, history, and all matters of interest connected with each _article, would take a lifetime. Leaving the grounds at 4 o’clock, we found our hotel in ashes, and our baggage in the streets. But others were not so fortunate ; all who left their baggage in their rooms lost it. We took the first train to the Encamp- ment, and soon found ourselves pleas- antly located in our present quarters. Michigan is more numerously repre- sented here than any other State at this time; and every train that ar- rives brings new accessions. This vast summer hotel is nearly full, there being nearly 3,000 guests accommo- dated at this time; and yet, notwith- standing this vast number from every portion of the United States and Canada, not a single case of theft, burglary, or loss of property has been announced. The roughs do not come here, and we feel quite at home, be- ing surrounded with friends, brothers and sisters of our noble order from almost every State in the Union. We hear no profanity, see no drinking or gambling, have no fears of fire, bur- glars, or pick pockets. The long evenings are spent in sociability, singing, and listening to instrumental « music, or in the public hall listening to discussions, lectures, or sermons; or in the Grange, receiving instruc- tions in the work and developments of the Order. This “ farmer’s home,” is to every mind, a desirable place for “Patrons and their friends” to stay while visiting this great exhibition. J. J. Woomusn. SENTIMENTS or run NATIONAL GRANGE.—-The following ruling of the National Grange, on the question whether a change of occupation is a forfeiture of membership of the" Grange, wi ll definitely s e t tl e tle the matter: “A person who has lawfully become a member of the or- der, does not forfeit his membership by changing his occupation, if his conduct continues to be such as be- comes a good Patron, and is not hos- tile tothe interestsof the order.” gerrctai-9'5 gtpartuteut. J. T. COBB, - - - -. SCHOOLCRAFT. Oflicers and members of Subordinate Granges in corresponding with this ofiice, will please always give the Number of their Grange. Co-operation. It is evident that in the matter of co-operation, our people are making some advance all along the line. In a letter just received from M. D. Davie, Master of the State Grange of Kentucky, we find this statement: “ The Order in Kentucky have taken considerable interest in co-operative stores. There are now more than 100 in this State.” As this department of our business is new and largely experimented, we advise caution——not that kind of cau- tion that is afraid to move‘ lest a mis- take be made, but the caution that commits all these enterprises to such honest, reliable, business men as we have at our command. Not always to the men who want to do the busi- ness, but rather to the men we want to have it done by. Song‘ Books. In answer to a demand“for some new Song Books, I sent, and have re- ceived a new Compilation of Songs by a Com. of the Ohio State Grange. Try them. Price, single copy, 150. By the Dozen, $1.50, post paid. A general notice, whichis found on 1st page of this No., was mailed from this office on the 9th inst., to all Grange Secretaries. By its terms the following Granges will not be entitled- to representation in the several Coun- ty Conventions to be held on the 12th of October next, if reports for the quarter ending March 31st, 1876, are not received on or before the 7th of October. At that date I shall mail to the Master of the Grange nearest to the county seat, and to -the Master of the Grange first organized in the county (if these Granges are entitled to representation), a. list of Granges that may participate in the election, with the nmber of representatives to which a county is entitled: Nos. 6, 7, 12, 36, 68, 71, 93, 105, 107, 111,116, 119, 132, 135, 137, 139, 141, 164. 165, 172, 174, 182, 183, 184, 201, 204, 207, 209, 210, 211, 215, 218, 224, 228, 230, 244, 265, 275, 276, 277, 282, 283, 289, 290, 299, 306, 311, 312, 339, 341, 354, 359, 369, 377, 385, 402, 413, 416, 420, 430, 436, 442, 489, 493, 504, 506, 507, 512, 519, 522, 538, 543, 551, 552, 578, 601, 609, and 610. The following Granges have report- ed for quarter ending March 31st, but are delinquent in payment of dues : Nos. 20, 53, 54, 70,_ 72, 75, 136, 186, 239, 242, 297, 320, 496, 554, 615. I find that no report of Masters and Secretaries elect for 1876 has been received from the following Granges, and therefore the VISITOR is not sent to those ofiicers; should be glad to send it if we could: N o. 36, 116, 132, 210, 211, 224, 276, 290, 311, 341, 369, 385,413, 416, 420, 506, 609. The August VISITOR did not give the time of holding the County Con- ventions correctly. The mistake was corrected in the general notice. _._.. ..--.... $4-—_A . -r- -v -. .. _....., ........._u......_... ........._...,,-an...‘ .; __;.i - ‘- THE GRANGE §71s1ToR._ ______ ,2 Life Insurance- Life Insurance as at present man- aged is becoming, and deservedly so, very unpopular. The conditions, provisions, forfeit- ures and complications of the system are so numerous, and the amount paid by the insured of the country so im« reasonably large when compared with the amount ever returned to the bene- fir.-iaries that it may be safely set down as a fact, that to insure in the Life Insurance Companies, whose commis- sioned agents are in every town in the country, is to violate sound business principles, A Patrons’ Aid Society has been in successful operation in the State of New York for more than a year and a half, and another in VVis- consin for some time. From all I have learned, I am well satisfied that with honest management, these Aid Societies may, as the name implies, furnish aid, or safe Insurance at a fair price. I call attention to this matter now, that members may con- sider the subject and become some- what acquainted with the plan. In the next VISITOR I shall print the By-Laws of the Patrons’ Aid Society Incorporated in the State of New York. At the next meeting of the State Grange, I hope to see this subject introduced, referred to a committee, and the initiative taken to establish a Patrons Aid Society in Michigan. The Resolutions of Galesburg Grange with reference to interest, pub- lished in the August VISITOR, have, as we desired, elicited responses from several Brothers. That is what is ‘wanted—with a free expression of opinion we shall all become better ac- quainted with the subject, and be bet- ter prepared to act intelligently. I arnisatisfied that some legislation is needed in this State. Our ‘laws are now more favorable to the few lenders than to the many borrowers. I hope every Grange in the State will discuss this subject from time to time, until the Legislature meets, that we. may be better prepared to ask for such leg- islation as the interests of the people require. I have prepared a Blank for Report from Granges that are Incorporated, and Wish to send one to. every such Grange. Will Secretaries of Incorpo- rated Grangesplease apply fora blank “by postal card or otherwise. I want a complete Record of Incorporated Granges. The requirement of Sec. 11, Art. 13, By-Laws — Michigan State Grange has not been very generally regarded. “The Secretary of the Subordinate Grange, shall within ten days after the Incorporation of such Grange, certify to the fact and date of such Incorporation, and forward such certificate to the Secretary _of the State Grange.” Masters, Secretaries or subscribers who fail to get the Visrron every month, should promptly notify me, and the missing number will be sup- plied. ~ Do not fail to attend to the business of ordering Plaster, at your first meet- ing. BLANKS. Blanks that are sent free from this office on application are: Blank Quarterly Reports of Secretaries of Sub- ordinate Granges. _ Blank Quarterly Reports of Secretaries of P0- mona Granges. _ _ Blank application for organizing Pomona Granges. Blank applications for Membership in Pomona ranges. Blank Bonds of Secretary and Treasurer. Blank Election Reports of Sub. Granges. Blank Certificates of Election to County Convention. Blank Certificates of Representatives elected to the State Grange. Blank for Consolidation of Granges. Blank Application for Certificate of Dimit. Blank Plaster Order. Blank Certificate of Incorporation: gccturcfs éepsrtmrnt. C. L. WHITNEY, - - - MUSKEGON. Duties of Ofiicers--Continued. GATE-KEEPER. It is of the highest importance that this oflicer be a faithful, true member, not only willing but always ready and prompt to do his duties. Early at the hall shauld he be to open and see that it is warm, and that everything in his charge is ready for use. At his post, to open and close the Outer Gate, when proper, he should be careful to protect the Grange from all intruders. He should closely notice all who would pass within and allow none to approach the Inner Gate un- less satisfied that they are worthy. All strangers he should detain until he has announced them and receives orders from the W. M. to allow them to proceed. He should see that the workmen are suitably clad and in proper attire. _ True dignity and manly bearing on the part of the Gate Keeper, requir- ing of each Patron who passes his stati_on a. close attendance to the re- quirements of the place, will do much towards the establishment of an ele- vated tone of attention within. Perfect order and thoroughsystem should pervade the ante-room to pre- vent confusion, save time, and add to the comfort of all. When the labors of the day are over, this officer should be careful to secure all intrusted to his care for safe keeping, and place the same in a proper place. This oflicer should be a thorough .workman and well skilled in all that is going on within, for he too may be called to the head of the family in the absence of those who rank him. CERES. .. I quote from Bro. Grosh’s Meizto r, her duties: “ 'l‘o deliver winningly and impressively _the charges of her ofiice, and at all times to encourage her fellow-members to labor with dil- ligence and prudence in the domestic and social circles, as well as in the mansion and fields -of the Grange.” “ Her presence, and that of all her sis- ters in oflice, will always be expected at our meetings, where her and other counsels will be sought to refine our manners and improve our lives.” . POMONA. . The Mznfor says her duties are : f‘ To deliver the charges of her ofiice in the most attractive and impressive manner; to encourage members gen- erally to_ become interested in the cultivation and improvement of fruits, and especially to induce her own sex to engage practically in such portions of horticulture as are calculated to promote their health, increase their strength and refine their tastes.” “ Thousands of women, now starving in our crowded vocations, could find pleasant, healtful, and profitable em- ployment in raising flowers, sweet herbs, small fruits, ect., for markets.” FLORA. The Jllentor gives her duties.: “ To deliver gracefully and impressively the charges of her ofiice, to incite fellow members, and especially those of her own sex, to cultivate flowers as the emblem and nourishment of Horn IN THE FUTURE, and to plant orna- mental vines and shrubbery, as means of elevating their thoughts, refining their taste, and making every abode the home of pure affections, of beauty, cheerfulness, and peace” The thre e last named oflicers should see that the Altars, around which they preside, are duly decorat- ed for each meeting with the pro- ducts they represent, and the growth of which they would encourage. They personify Faith, Hope, and Chari- ty and should even by manner, tone, word, and deed represent these Chris- tian graces. In the homes of desti- tute and suffering Brothers and Sis- tes they should be as Angels of Mercy, carrying consolation to the weary, hope to the despairing, comfort to all. Dear Sisters, you see you are not to be mere ornaments in the Grange, to be admired by men and hated by the less favored of your own sex, but are considered equals, and have im- portant duties to perform. In the beautiful lessons you teach to those who enter your courts for instruction, are some of the sublimest truths of nature, and the noblest principles of life, clothed in the, most beautiful gar- lands of words. Will you not pre- pare yourselves, that by your efforts these truths and principles may. be forever imbeded in the hearts of those who hear them, to be ever seen and known by all in a higher and nobler Husbandry in the future? Now, Patrons, we have given a few of the main duties of Grange Oflicers, , but do not think that we have given all. Do whatever you have to do with all your Will and physical strength, kindly directed and con-. trolled by a pure heart and life, and we will soon tell a doubt- ing world of a successful organiza-. tion, developing earth’s untold wealth, opening unknown depths of thought, and exhibiting the highest social life. Will you not hide self, cover vanity, smother pride, and controll feeling, that there may be a true union of hearts and hands, assisted by needed means and earnest minds for, the erec- tion of a GRAND TEMPLE, whose foun- dations shall be honesty, modesty, temperance, judgment, activity, econ- omy, perseverance, and whose dome Shall represent honor and purity, sur- mounted by the banner of light. ——I see Bro. Cobb proposes to send" the Visrroa the rest of the yeai-4 mos. to subscribers for 10 cts. each. A lit- tle eifort would double its subscription list. Shall not that effort be made? TI-IE GRAN GE .. -..r ~« ~ ~--- ~- s T, ..-. ~.-,. VISITOR. 5 Nleetings. “ Our work is never done.” Since the last VISITOR left our hands we have met many of the Fraternity ‘in council. The meeting on the 17th at Hartford was a desirable success. A large and earnest gathering greeted us, and a right hearty welcome we received. Judging from the con- sumption of food and the attention upon the singing and speaking, we should think that all were happy. On the 18th we met the brothers and sisters of Keeler, and had an in- teresting meeting Ionia County claims the banner for having the warmest day, biggest crowd, and most speakers. Bros. Luce, Chamberlain, and Woodman, for four hours regaled the sweltering thousands with fresh truths and draughts of pleasure, when we were called upon to dismiss the meeting, which we quickly did. The Patrons of Oakland enjoyed themselves greatly on the 29th, in the opening of the new ball upon the fair grounds at Pontiac. The Oakland Pomona Grange met at the same time and took charge of the opening serv- ices. Bainbridge Grange, No. 80, cele- brated the completion of a new and beautiful hall on the 30th ult., by a formal dedication of the same, accord- ing to the usages of our Order. The Berrien Pomona Grange were pres- ent, having just closed a successful two days’ session. Upwards of 20 Granges were represented at this service, all praising the energy and zeal of No. 80, and many looking for- ward to the time when a similar -'or-:. ice should be /rendered them—when they too should have a home. Excel- lent singing added greatly to" the services of the occasion,‘ which was well rendered by all participating. Bro. .Chamberlain was present and effectively addressed the meeting for half an hour. . _ Berrien Center Grange; No. 14, contemplates the dedication of a new hall on the 11th of October, at which place and time the Berrien Pomona Grange will meet again. V Wo1'thy Master BrotherWoodman met with us at a meeting and picnic at Pine Grove on the 1st inst., which meeting gave evidence of an awaking of inter est in that locality. The Paw Paw cornet band were present to give us a feast of music. On the 6th inst., we addressed a fine audience near Chester-field. Ma- comb County. Bros. Stone, Wales, and Sutherland, Masters in that coun- ty, were present. Excellent singing was given by Messrs. Uady and Davis, and Mrs. Castle and Cady. The 7th found us in old Monroe County, near Erie, where we met and addressed a large company of Patrons from several Granges, some from Ohio, The Toledo band was a great addition to the entertainment; The day following a small gathering was' held near Schofield, by Exeter Grange. September 16th _found us at Pleas- ant Lake, Jackson Co., where a. house full gave earnest attention for an hour. Patrons from Ingham were present. Our appointments for the future as far as known, are: Picnic at Rock- ford, Kent Co., on the 28th; another on the 29th at or near Capac, St. Clair county. gist: ggcnfs éepartment. CENTREVILLE. J. H. GARDNER, - - There is time yet this fall to sow timothy seed, which is offered at a low figure in the Chicago market and will be sent direct from there to the place where wanted, and a good crop of grass is worth more on a farm than a. poor one of grain, The Michigan Woolen and Knitting Company, of Niles, olfer yarns and hosiery at reasonable prices; having woolen socks for four dollars a dozen, and yarn by the pound from 650 to 85c for plain colors; balmorals at $1.25. These yarns are not surpassed in quality by those of any other mill, and all families wanting any style of hosiery or yarns should examine these before buying others. My arrangements for boots and shoes are now good, so that I can fur- nish most any thing in that line; I also have a stock on hand, which will be sent on cash orders, at manufac- turers’ prices. I have just_ received a lot of new Japan Teas, very flue, from an importing house, which will be sold at a low price for the quality. The price of apples is very low and none but the choicest will pay for picking and barreling. Feed all small and poor ones to the hogs, cows and horses. Apples and corn meal cooked together will fatten hogs well and cheaply, and is recommended as a preventive to hog fever or cohlera Sweet apples are good to increase the milk of cows, and a few fed to horses occasionally keep them healthy. Cotton good of most kinds, par- ticularly prints and sheetings, brown and bleached, are advancing in price and probably will go higher during the fall and winter ; therefore buy soon all you will need for six months to come at least. It is also a favora- ble time to lay in a supply ofwoolens for winter use, as manufacturers are endeavoring to procure an advance in price on cloths, and it may take place soon. Do not delay to make your purchases until you are compell- ed to by present need, but attend to doing it before long. ‘ It stands farmers in hand to take all advantages of the markets to be obtained now, when dealers and man- ufacturers are putting up the prices of their goods, and forcing down the prices of every thing produced on the larm. Combinations meet farmers on every side ; the price of clothing, groceries and the oil to light your houses with, is controlled by combi- nations. Supply and demand which once fixed prices, is a thing of the past, and at present has very little to do about it. The priceof grain and meat is fixed and controlled by a lot of speculators called boards of trade, who dictate how much shall be paid for a bushel of wheat, a barrel» of flour, and a pound of meat, over which the producer and consumer have very lit- do if any control. These men fatten and grow rich from the productions of the laboring people,..who are be- coming poorer every day and are be- ing rapidly reduced to the condition of the serfs of Europe. Farmers should do as manufacturers are doing, when the price of any kind of goods is low, stop producing a surplus of that thing for market until there is a scarcity and prices advance, or keep the surplus at home. What is the use or benefit to us of raisinga large quantity of wheat when it will not sell for enough to pay the wages of the workmen for the labor to get it ready for market. The con- stant cry of manufacturers is “ give us cheap bread and cheap meat and quick sales for our goods at high prices.” What do they care whether we get paying prices for our grains and meats or not; if they can grow rich and ride in carriages, we may ride in farm wagons or carts, if we ride at all, and work sixteen hours a day in heat or cold, wet‘ or dry, if we will only furnish cheap bread to them and buy their goods at high prices in exchange for our cheap bread and meat. Brother farmers, you and your wives and children are laboring too many hours for your health and pros- perity; produce less and you will re- alize as much for your crops as you are now receiving; you will have bet- ter health and more time for enjoy- ment. The raising of stock is easier than grain raising, and now brings better returns. The wheat crop of England is reported to be short, and all who can should hold their wheat for better prices than those now pre- vailing, which must come before an- other harvest goes to market. Send me your orders for any goods wanted, not forgetting that it requires pay down to reach bottom prices, and I will endeavor to have them filled to your satisfaction. In sending, give prices of the articles which you would have to pay for them at your village, and if I cannot save you any thing I will notify you and return the order. ATTEND GRANGE MEr:r1NGs.—It is ‘ evident that one of the greatest ob- stacles to the usefulness of the Order is the lack of regular attendance of members to the meetings of the Grange. The apparent want of in- terest is thus manifested. If we allow two or three meetings to pass unat- tended, we lose the run of business and soon begin to flatter ourselves that our attendance is too great a sac- rifice for the benefits received We as farmers and American citizens can ‘not afford to let the interests in our noble Order lag or falter in the least‘. There may be live Granges with dead» members in them, but there» can be no dead Granges with live members. in them. Patrons, then arouse, put on the full armor and go forth val- iantly.in the cause of right ——Em. —Thcre are fifty-one Granges in-» Indiana which have saved their mem- bers an average of $578.25 to a Grange, and eighty—fi've others $407.25 to each Grange on an average, by making- their purchases direct of rnanufactur-v ers. Here we have a saving of 371,- 101.25 by 136 of the 1,991 granges in the State. * 6 THE"GB.ANGE VISITOR. ___ The Curse of High Interest. There is no question that should be carefully and fully investigated,.by the Grange until the members realize the injustice and enormous wrongs that have been imposed upon the produc- ing classes of this nation, than high ‘rates of interest. There is a class of people who are engaged in no business of real value to society, who create nothing, who add nothing to the wealth of the na- tion, who are continually managing and manipulating the money afi'airs of this nation, so that money will command a high rate of interest, and thereby a continual stream of money in the shape of interest is passing from the laboring and wealth-produc- ing classes to the money lending class. The millions performing the physical labor and producing the wealth, and the few money changers and monop- olies, through strategy and cunning, manage to secure a good share of the profits. According to statistical evidence and information, the average annual increase of the natural wealth from productive industry is about three and one-third per cent, while, ac- cording to the report of the Compt- roller of the Currency, the average rate of interest demanded and ob- tained by the banks for the use of money, is nearly three times that amount. With the difference of near- ly six per cent in favor of the money- lending and against the producing classes, the borrowing class must be compelled to surrender a part of their capital every few years, to make up the deficiency or difference between the earnings of money and earnings of labor. There is no just cause or reason why a thousand dollars in money as a. principal should earn any more than a thousand dollars invest- ed in any of the necessary occupa- tions And until it can be made to appear that the use of money is more useful and valuable to society than‘ the products of the various kinds of business, there can be no justice or consistency in the money -lending class, contracting for and demanding for the use of money a rate of inter- est which proves to be much greater than the earnings of productive in- dustry. Money should be considered as one of the necessary tools or im- plements for people to use in busi- ness transactions, of no value in itself, but, valuable only as an agent or tool to work with, and assisting in creat- ing and producing something of real intrinsic value. And when one party lends this implement or agent to an- other, he ought to receive a fair and reasonable compensation for its use, but, if the borrower is compelled to pay three times as much for the use of the implement as he can earn with it, a part of his original capital must be given to make up the difierencg de- manded by the high rates of interest. According to the census of 1860, the totd wealth of the United States of that year was $16,159,6l7,068, and the agricultural class comprised one- - half ot the population in numbers, and owned 56 per cent of its wealth, while according to the census of 1870, the entire wealth‘ of the United States was $30,068,518,507. The agricultu- ral class still comprised half the'pop- ulatiou but owned only 37 per cent of its wealth. Here we see that while the wealth of the nation almost doub- led in ten years, the agricultural por- tion of the population, which was the same in 1870 as 1860, possessed 19 per cent less of the wealth 1n 1870 than they did in 1860. From these facts, it has been ascertained that from 1860 to 1870, ten years, the enormous sum of $3,908,917,406, or nearly four billions of dollars has been transferred from the hands of the farmers to other classes of people. , At this rate of depletion how long will it be before the wealth of the ag- riculturalist will be surrendered to some one else. And it is a noted fact that never in the history of this na- tion, has there been such vast accu- mulations of wealth in the hands of a few people, as from 1860 to 1870. The cause is. a few citizens (in compari- son to the masses) who speculate in money after it has been earned by hard labor, have run the aflairs of this government, not for the public welfare, but for their own private in- terest. The forty-third Congress was com- posed of 379 members in the House. In this number were six lumbermen, thirteen manufacturers, seven doc- tors, fourteen merchants, thirteen farmers, three millers, one land sur- veyor, one priest, one professor of latin, one doctor of laws, one barber, one mechanic, no'net_z/-nine lawyers, and one hundred and eig/ity-nine bankers, which includes stockholders in nation- al banks. Now the business of bank- ers is to make money by obtaining it as cheap as possible and loaning the same at high rates of interest. They intend to create a demand for money, so that they can loan it at high rates of interest, because the people must have money to assist in their business transactions. The history of our financial legisla- tion for the past fifteen years, proves beyond doubt or cavil, that such leg- islation has been (principally) in the interests of bankers, bond-holders, and money-speculators. If the resumption act of January 14th, 1875, is carried out as now con- templated, the bankers will have com- plete and entire control of our circu- lating medium, inflating or contract- mg the volume of currency to suit their own interests ; compelling the people to pay gold interest on the bonds held as security for their cir- culating notes, and then if the people want the use of some of said money, almost donated by the government (the people), to the banks they will have to pay three times as much for the use of the same, as the average increase of productive labor. So long as we are so stupid and dull, and un- wise, as to send such a large propor- tion of bankers and lawyers to legis- late for us, giving them_all the oppor- tunity they desire to legislate money in their own pockets, we may expect the rates of interest will not be re- duced. But if the people ever do wake up to a realizing sense of their condition and duty, and send Senators and Representatives to legislate for us, who are more identified and in- terested with the success and welfare of the business interests of the coun- try, the prospects will be better for obtaining the use of money at such rates of interest as will prove a bless- ing to the people. ' A. Fascxaosns. Qnmmauitafians. ALMENA, MICH., Sept. If the resolutions of Galesburg Grange relating to the rate of interest, repre- sent the opinions and feelings of Patrons in general, they indicate that the Order is trying to advance backwards, crab- fashion. There is no good reason for a demand for a more stringent rate-of-interest law. ‘ :- The present law is sufficient, and more than sufllcient, it is superfluous. To make the law declare that he who shall consent to receive interest at a higher rate than the legal standard, “shall be held to punishment for such act. and in all cases shall forfeit the right to collection of both principal and interest,” would be unjustifiable tyran- ny. We no more need a new law to prevent a high rate of interest from be- ing offered and accepted, than we need a law which shall fix a maximum price on our wheat, wool, pork, dw. In the seventeenth century the New England colonists made laws which fixed a price on grain. This was be- lieved to be necessary in order to keep the price moderate, so all could atfor to buy, and so producers would not get too rich. But in spite of this re ulatiou grain became scarce and can not be bought at legal rates. of the wise men sagaciously concluded that if the people were allowed to sell for all they could get, they would be stimulated to produce more grain than ever before, and consequently prices could not be high. The conclusion was sound. The system of untrammeled trade was tried, and the result was abundance and low prices. If the legal restraint upon the rate of interest which now exists were re- moved, we could borrow money as cheaply as we can now. For, thous- ands of people would expect to get rich by loaning money at a high rate ofiuter- est, and would convert their property into cash for that purpose, and the em- nipresent law of demand and supply would furnish money.,,tc -borrowers at Wihat it is worth to borrowers in gener- a . Ifa man is “fully convinced that the rate of interest allowed to be taken for the use of money, or its equivalent, is far in excess of the ability of any branch of industry to pay,” and he cannot get money for less, he had better let it alone. If he buys property on credit, agreeing to pay ten per cent. interest, and finds after a trial that the property brings in an annual gross income of less than ten per cent., it only shows that he made a miscalculation; it does not tend to prove that we ought to gullotine every one who loans his money and sells his prop- erty for all he can get. If we must have any fresh legislation to benefit the poor and bluudering at the expense of the prudent, perhaps we had better have thorough work made of it by an enactment which shall de- cree that any person who shall sell an property on credit for more than h 1' its value, or shall accept, “directly or indirectly,” of any interest, or shall ever hint that he would like to have his pay, “shall be deemed guilty of a mis- demeanor," and shall forfeit the entire debt and be drawn and quartered. M. Fosmcx, See. No. 3. Anmsox, Sept. 3, 1876. MR. J. T. Conn, Worthy Brother :-I have never seen anything in the_V1s1'r- on from Rollin Grange, so I will drop you a few notes. » Our Grange numbers fifty members, and is in a growing condition. TI-IE VISITOR.‘ 7 Our Agent keeps on hand a full stock of goods, which he buys and sells at grange prices. We talk some of building a hall next year, which will greatly increase our numbers and interest. We have very poor crops this year, nothing being more than one—haif of a crop, unless it is corn. Very "few per- sons have enough potatoes to last them through the winter. Accompanying this letter please find $1.20, for which send the VISITOR one year to the folowlng perions. * * Oscan WING, _ Sec.’y Rollin Grange, No. 383, Addison, Mich. BUBNSIDE, LAPEER Co., MICH., Se t. 14th, 1876. J. T. COBB, orthy Brother .-—On reading your remarks on Brother Geo. C. Myers’ letter in the last number of the GRANGE VIsIToa, although not the Secretary of our Grange, I felt it my duty to strive to do some little toward increasing the circulation of the VIsIT- OR, as thereare only five copies, I think, taken in this Grange, and two of them Isnppose are sent gratis. As one of vour subscribers ‘I firmly believe if asters and Secretaries were to follow your advice, and strive to increase its circulation, every Grange in the State would be greatly benetitted. I believe your assertion true, that there are thousands of Patrons who are ignorant of the existance of the VISITOR, judging from my own observation in our Grange. Please find enclosed 50 cents, for five copies of the VISITOR for the balance of the year. I will try hard to send you a respectable list of subscribers for the ensuing year. I would be very glad to see it enlarged. Yours fraternally, WM. A. MONTGOMERY, Overseer of Grange No. 549. MONTGOMERY GRANGE, No. 549, } SUMMERTON, GRATIOT Co., MICH., September 5th, 1876. J. J. WOODMAN, Worthy Master and Brother .°—Believing it would be of in- terest as well as importance to the Or- der to write concerning the health of our Granges in this section of country, I will give expression to the thought, ‘.‘We are alive, and bound to live by labor and action.” Some of our branch- es are falling ofi‘, and we are obliged to do some’ trimming. We are digging down to hard-pan, which you will readily discover, by our organizing a Co-operative Association in Gratiot and Isabella counties. The ca ital is limit- cd to $15,000, withasubscri ed or work- ing capital of $5,000 already taken. The Etore will be located at Alma, Gratiot o. The officers of the Gratiot and Isa- bella Co-O erative Association, are : President, ro. John Vanderbeek, Mas- ter of Pine River Grange; Secretary, T. L. Travis, Summerton Grange; Treas- urer, Wm. Medler, Pioneer Grange"; Directors, six in number, with two Au- ditors. The Auditors and Directors are wide-awake and efficient business men in every respect, which makes us feel that success is certain in this efi‘ort. Summerton Grange _ has a library lo- cated in the hall, in working order. The books are furnished by the members, and loaned for so much ‘per month. The proceeds will be used in buying new books. For the “good of the Or- der” we have a paper read, of select and original pieces. The VISITOR is very welcome, and ever will be, while we re- main, Yours, fraternally, T. L. Travis, Sec'y. Worthy Secretary of the State Grange.- In the last number of the VISITOR a series of Resolutions apopted by Gales- burg Grange were printed, which seem to be of much importance, looking as it does toward the enactment of a law which would toa great extent relieve the burdens which at present seriously affect the interests of the producing classes. No branch of industry, however pros- perous, in which capital and labor are combined, can compete, at the present time, with capital invested alone, and such being the case, money which should be in circulation, is locked up in the vaults of the capitalists or loaned at higher rates of interest than any legiti- mate business can afford to pay. Careful estimates show that farmers, counting the amount of capital invest- ed in their property, and deducting the actual expenses of conducting their business from year to year, realize only, on an average, under the best of man- agement, from two and one-half to'fOur percent per annum upon the amount invested; while money at interest yields in absolute security——without labor—an income of from eight to twelve percent per annum upon the amount invested. A proportion, which, to make the pro- ducing interests prosperous ought to be directly reversed, or at least to make the income of each equal. The enactment of such a law, making seven per cent per aniium the legal rate, and placing around it such restrictions that it will be impossible for usurers to evade it in any manner whatever, will be a step in the right direction. 1n the State of New York such a law is in force, and its effect, it is said, has been to make money more plenty, and to divert it from the channel of money- loaning to the direction of building up industrial and manufacturing interests, which add materially to the wealth of communities and the general prosperity of all classes except those capitalists who thrive on a high rate of interest. Let us then use all proper means for the modi- fication of our laws which relate to in- terest. FARMER. STOCKBRIDGE, Sept. 4th, 1876. J. 'l‘. COBB, Worthy Brotlzer.--Stock- bridge Grange, No. 7. have had quite an amount of business on hand this sum- mer. Besides running our store, we have built a very nice large hall 50 feet by 24 with 20 feet posts. The first floor will be used for goods for the farmers to eat and wear, and implements of hus- bandry to work with; the upper part will be used for Grange meetings. The main room is 24 by 40 with recep- tion and preparation rooms 10 by 12 feet each. Being thankful for the bountiful harvest, and the very favorable time to secure it, it was voted that we abstain from all labor on the 23rd of August, and have a day of thanksgiving and re- joicing for our past prosperity ; accor- dingly we invited our sister Granges to a basket picnic which was represented by nine Granges, from Ingham, Jack- son and Livingston Counties, with beautiful banners and mottoes and the National Flag. This joyous farmers’ gathering was addressed by our Worthy Brother, L. R. Brown, a farmer from Rawsonville, Wayne Co. The speech was considered a. master-piece, right from the heart of one of the best far- mers of Wayne County, who knows how to teach the business of farming by experimental knowledge. The address will long be remembered byla very large number of the best farmers in the above named counties. We find in Bro. Brown, a first class Granger. He is not one of those that bind burdens upon men’s shoulders which are grievous to be borne, but he is trying with all his power to enlighten and elevate the farming community, and place them in that position which the God of nature designed that the producer should occii- ’l‘his accomplished, we can, break up the strong holds of monopolists and establish the standard of true principles and equal rights to all. Fraternally Yours, H. H. B, FOUR. ’l‘owNs, Sept. 18, 1876, BRO. J. 'l‘. COBBZ—Ulll' Pomona ,_Gange picnic and opening of Amuse- merit Hall, on the Fair Grounds in Pon- tiac, Aug. 29th, was a very enjoyable affair. Bro. Whitney was with us and made the very best‘Grange address that this section has ever had. In the eve- ning the degree of Pomona was confer- red on five candidates. Weare moving for a co-operative store. The resolutions of Galesburg Grange, published in the last VIsIToa, respect- ing rates of interest. come exactly and squarely to the point. It is an indispu- table fact, known and felt by every class of people, that the rates of interest, as compared with every source of income, are extravagantly high, and that unless something be done in the way of reduc- tion, a great share of the real estate of the country must sooner or later change hands at about half its value. The principal of indebtedness seldom ruins any one, but interest, which grows when crops do not or are short, or when trade falls oil‘, it‘ it be high, will soon necessitate a sale of the security. When money loaned on a mortgage at about one-third the value of property, is a better investment, because it brings a greater income, than for a deed at the real value, men who hold the purse- strings will prefer the mortgage, for they well know that in a short time the mortgage will bring a deed. If relief is not in some way provided, the con- sequence will be that our lands, as in the old countries, will be held by a few men and rented at such prices as will give those who do the hard work a bare ,, subsistance. I think no better note has been struck by the Grange, than this, and we should keep it sounding until good shall grow out of it. Fraternally, C. E. DEWEY. OBITUARY. Sept. 14, 1876. Whereas, It has pleased our Heavenly Fa- ther to remove from our midst, our Sister Sarah E. Bullard, and the son an affectionate mother, the community a respected neighbor, and the Grangea faithful member in this bereavement, therefor be it Resolved, That we tender our heartfelt sym- pathy to our Worthy Secretary and family in this their sudden bereavement. Resolved. That a copy of these resolutions be presented to the family of the deceased, a copy be sent to the GRANGE VIsIToa for publication, and the same be entered on the records of the Grange. Wu. DUNNETT, Jsssa Krrr. Harmony Grange, No. 337. Committee, Auuaa, Micli., Sept. 9, 1876. Whereas, It has pleased our Heavenly Fa. ther to remove from our midst by death, our beloved sister and Worthy Chaplain, Laura Hallett, therefore, Resolved, That in her death the Fraternity has lost a beloved and respected member, the M. E. Church of which she was also a member, and the community in which she lived, a faith- ful and exemplary christian, and her family a true and devoted wife and mother. Resolved, That we tender our heartfelt sym- pathy to the family and relatives who have been so suddenly bereft. _ Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be presented to the husband, and also published in the GRANGE Visiroa, and Traverse Bay Eagle. A. _JENNn, Master, ' Alinira Grange, No. 381. HALL or SBLVAN Gamma, N 0. 393, New Ens, OCEANA Co., MIcrI., Sept. 2, '76. WHEREAS, Death has entered our field for the first time since the organization of our Grange, and removed from our midst our worthy and respected Brother. Geo. Lewis, therefore, Resolved, That while we humbly bow in sub- mission, we fain would express in words our sympathy for_ the members of a bereaved family, at the same time fully realizing the inahilit of our words to heal the wounds inflicted by t ii- loss; we will, nevertheless, ofier our sympathy and condolence ‘to the family of our deceased Brother. Resolved, That as we cannot reach the dead, and can the living, we will, therefore, in the future, be more faithful in the discharge of our do to flue living. » easier, our charter he draped in moussmgi at ‘ninety days. and that'tlie' ‘mem- lieis of this Grange wear the badge of mourning for the sine time. » llezgfvcgi, Thot a_. copy ofvthese resolutiensbe m*‘,5°.=%=t9!+Wn 1'1.siro”I, the “stat tiastll-erberntiismioaazuaa B —~ W hereaa. The husband has lost a loving wife, TI-IE GRANGE VISITOR’. PARTICULAR. MONTGOMERY WARD 65 CO., The Original Wholesale GRANGE SUPPLY HOUSE HAVE REMOVED T0 227 as 228 vv'A.:BA.s:a: AVENUE, JOBBERS IN DRY GOODS, CLOTHIl\T Gr, Hats, Caps, Trunks, &c., &c. They now have their incomparable SUMMER CATA- LOGUE, No. 16, Ready. I Their Fall List will be issued about August 16th. These catalogues are in neat book form, contain 154 pages of just such information as every one needs, regarding name and wholesale price of nearly all articles in every day use. THEY ARE FREE TO ALL. PRICES ARE VERY LOW NOW. SEND US YOUR ADDRESS. MONTGOMERY WARD 86 CO._, Opposite the Matteson House, Chicago. PAINTING TEE PA'.l'RONS' rsmr COMPANY are manum~.- . turing the INGERSOLL RE'.4I)Y-MIXED PAINTS, and BR!/8111415, and selling them at full trade discounts, delivering them freight paid, and no money required until the goods are received——mnklng them cheaper than even the material can be bought elsewhere. They are an absolutely pure article, possessing‘ great endurance and brilliancy, and are giving great satis- faction all over the country. We have a Patron {Head who saved enough alone ‘on Paint purchased to pay his Grange expenses for a life-time. They also sell RUOF PAINT 30 percent. cheaper than any one else. It is to the interest. of all about painting to write and have sent free their book. “ Every One His Oima !’u1'-nf4er.” It will save much mone , whether you buy their Paint or not. Ad "PS8: 259 FRONT STREET. N W YORK.—(l<‘rom “ Farnwrs’ Friend.’’) I THE Whitney Sewing Machine. REGALIA. JEWELS, THE PIONEER MACHINE, . To_ recognize and adopt the Grange Plan of bringing the CONSUMER and PRODUCER in SE close. business relations—_dispensing with ex- 9 pensive agencies—and giving the purchaser the benefit of wholesale prices. We have pleasure in saying that the most prominent members of the Order have heartily approved and recommended our plan, while State, County and Grange Committees have ex- amined, tested and approved, and warmly com- G N G E P P L I E S mended the hi h character and excellence of the Whitney achine. We have already sup- plied thousands of Patrons with the Machines, which are giving unqualified satisfaction. MACHINES SENT TO PATRONS ON 20 DAYS TRIAL. For Price List and Information address your State or County Purchasing Agents, or ' "THE WHITNEY MF"G C()., CHICA . . 11_m3, LOUISVILLE, KY. ——~ ugwvvx — .H_._. G0 Thompson :94 Co. AND ALL KINDS OF For Sale by WM. H. KELLEY, Successor to The Lane Manufacturing Co. No. 139 ‘VEST JEFFERSON S'l‘., S -—GENERAL\_ .«- 007nm/.'.s'.s-ion. /Iizsn:/mn/.s', .-.>:;.;, 6;,'<-- S BQNDED PURCHASING AGENT 5“ NEW YOK. Greenwuztx St. QEIOAGO, 1 192 so, WATER._ST., F‘ ARMERS I SAVE YOUR FRUIT AND VEGETABLES --WITH TIIE— 0. B UTTON I Fruit & MANUFACTURED BY CHURCH BROS., Allegau, Mich. Call and see sample Dryer, and get prices at the Store of the Co-operative Association, P. of H., on Rose Street, Kalamazoo. PRICE LIST of SUPPLIES Kept in the office of the Secretary of MICHIGAN S T A '1‘ E GRANGE, And sent out Post Paid, tm Receipt of Cash Or- der, over the seal of a Subordinate Grange, and the signature of its Master or Secretary. Ballot Boxes, (hard wood,) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1 26 Porcelain Ballot Marbles, per hundred,.. . 60 Blank Book, ledger ruled, for Secretary to keep accounts with members, .... . .. 1 00 Blank Record Books, (Express aid),. . . 00 Order Book, containing 100 Or em on the _ Treasurer, with stub, well bound, .... . . 00 Receipt Book, containing 100 Receipts from Treasurer to Secretary, with stub, _ well bound, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~20 Blank Receipts for dues, per 100, bound, . Q" Cushing’s Manual, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Applications for Membership, per 100,... . 50 Membership Cards, per I00, . . . . . . . . . . . . _. 50 Withdrawal Cards, per 1102., . . . . . . . . . . . . . Illustrated Visiting or Traveling Card each, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . 05 Dimits, in envelopes, per doz.,., . . . . . . . . . 25 By-Laws of the State and Siibordinate Granges, single copies 5c, per doz., . . . . . Singing books, with music, flexible cover, per doz., . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Rituals, single copy, . . . . .. “ per doz., . . . . . . . . . Blanks for Consolidation of Granges, sent free on application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Blank Applications for Membership in Po_- mona Granges, furnished free on appli- cation. — Blank Orders for use of Granges or Pur- chasing Agents, per doz., 10 cts, per 100, 50 Blank “Articles of Association” for the Incorporation of Subordinate Granges with Copy of Charter, all complete,. . . . . 10 Manual of Jurisprudence and Co-operation, _ by A. B. SmedJy,- I-2-9 Patron‘s Pocket Companion, by J. A. Cra- mcr, Cloth, 60 cl;s., Mnracco with tuck, . I 00 Notice to Delinquent Members, per 100. . . 40 J’. T. COBB. Sisc‘r Mica. Sum Games, scnooncnsm‘. MICE» Address, 5