ORGANIZING THE NATIONAL GRANGE.

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counteract the influences that had long been at work, in various directions, to divert the legitimate profits from the hands of the farmer.

After a free and most earnest discussion of the means best adapted to forward the project, it was resolved to organize the National Grange. A ballot for officers resulted in the election of the following: William Saunders, of the District of Columbia, Master; J. R. Thompson, of Vermont, Lecturer; Anson Bartlett, of Ohio, Overseer; Wm. Muir, of Missouri, Steward; A. S. Moss, of New York, Assistant Steward; Rev. A. B. Grosh, of Pennsylvania, Chaplain; Wm. M. Ireland, of Pennsylvania, Treasurer; O. H. Kelley, of Minnesota, Secretary; and Edward P. Faris, of Illinois, Gate-Keeper.

The persons thus elected were not all present, but they were all well known, and were selected because of their interest in the Order, and the constancy which they had shown in supporting the new movement. The majority of them had been earnest and untiring in the establishment of the Order; they had matured their plan of operation so far as possible; and it was necessary that sufficient time be given to carry out this plan, according to the pre-conceived idea. In the discussion of ways and means, it was decided, therefore, that this election should be for five years.

CHAPTER XII.

EARLY STRUGGLES AND THEIR FRUITION.

TESTING THE WORK ALREADY DONE.

Very soon after the establishment of the parent or National Grange, a subordinate Grange was organized at Washington, numbering about sixty members. This was intended, not only as a school of instruction, but also as a means of testing the efficiency of the ritual. The latter being found good, so far as it went, in January, 1868, a second circular was sent out to various portions of the States, in which the objects of the Order were announced.

Some of these objects were stated to be, " to advance education, to elevate and dignify the occupation of the farmer, and to protect its members against the numerous combinations by which their interests were injuriously affected."

Among the benefits to be derived, as stated by the circular, were: "Systematic arrangements for procuring and disseminating, in the most expeditious manner, information relative to crops, demand and supply, prices, markets, transportation throughout the country, and for the establishment of depots for the sale of special and general products in the cities; also, for the purchase and exchange of stock, seeds, and desired varieties of plants and trees, and for the purpose of procuring help at home or from abroad, and situations for persons seeking employment; also, for

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ascertaining and testing the merits of newly-invented farming implements, and those not in general use, and for detecting and exposing those that are unworthy, and for protecting, by all available means, the farming interests from fraud and deception of every kind."

CARRYING THE WORK FORWARD.

Four months had now elapsed since the organization of the National Grange. It wanted money, which had heretofore been taken freely from the pockets of the founders of the Order, to satisfy the necessary current expenses. These gentlemen were not wealthy, and the sums already advanced had been a heavy tax upon them. The organization now owed one hundred and fifty dollars, most of which was for printing. Progress had been made, it is true, through the circulars sent out and the personal efforts of the members; and it will also be seen that progress had been made in creating a debt, which, though small, was onerous, nevertheless, to men of moderate or limited means, who had already liberally furnished the "sinews of war."

To create new Granges, it was necessary that individuals familiar with the work should meet with the new candidates. The head officers, who were devoting their time to the organization, did not receive any compensation. How, then, could the money be raised to enable the proper officers to travel and disseminate the ritual of the Order?

Mr. Kelley, the Secretary, was found equal to the emergency, and even hopeful that he could make his necessary traveling expenses, from the ordinary fees derived from the granting of dispensations. It was, therefore, decided to send him out, on a salary of two thousand dollars a year, provided this amount could be realized out of the fees ob

tained from the establishment of the Granges in the various States. The National Grange, however, expressly stipulated that, if the fees did not meet the sum named, he should have no claim on that organization, and that it would assume the payment of no expenses whatever.

Hopeful and enthusiastic, Mr. Kelley immediately resigned his clerkship in the Post-office Department. Being furnished with a general letter of introduction, Harrisburg, Pa., was selected as the first point for trial. His ticket bought, he found himself with but two dollars and a half in currency of the United States, for expenses. How many men would have left a lucrative office, and thus launched out upon an unknown sea, on a voyage which might eventuate in the wreck of his fondest hopes? He carried nothing with him but the best wishes and earnest prayers of the brotherhood left behind.

THE FIRST FOUR DISPENSATIONS ISSUED.

Armed with the necessary power to grant dispensations for the organization of subordinate Granges, Mr. Kelley arrived at Harrisburg, where he enlisted the co-operation of a sufficient number of persons to form a Grange, and there the first dispensation was granted.

Proceeding from this point, he traveled on, talking, wherever opportunity offered, with the farmers whom he met; here and there meeting with hearty encouragement, but, in the majority of cases, finding the farmers afflicted with that species of conservatism which looks with doubt upon any thing that seems like breaking out of old ruts. They did not like to take stock in any chimerical venture, content to suffer the ills they had rather than fly to those they knew not of.