and between State Granges, and appeals from the action and decision thereof, shall be referred to the Master and Executive Committee of the National Grange, whose decision shall be respected and obeyed until overruled by action of the National Grange.

ART. 5. It shall be the duty of the Master to preside at meetings of the National Grange; to see that all officers and members of committees properly perform their respective duties; to see that the Constitution, By-Laws, and resolutions of the National Grange, and the usages of the Order, are observed and obeyed; to sign all drafts drawn upon the treasury, and, generally, to perform all duties pertaining to such office.

ART. 6. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep a record of all proceedings of the National Grange; to keep a just and true account of all moneys received and paid out by him; to countersign all drafts upon the treasury; to conduct the correspondence of the National Grange, and, generally, to act as the administrative officer of the National Grange, under the direction of the Master and the Executive Committee.

It shall be his duty, at least once each month, to deposit with the Fiscal Agency holding the funds of the National Grange, all moneys that may have come into his hands, and forward a duplicate receipt therefor to the Treasurer, and to make a full report of all transactions to the National Grange at each annual session.

It shall be his further duty to procure a monthly report from the Fiscal Agency with whom the funds of the National Grange are deposited, of all moneys received and paid out by them during each month, and send a copy of such report to the Executive Committee and the Master of the National Grange.

ART. 7. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to issue all drafts upon the Fiscal Agency of the Order, said drafts having been previously signed by the Master and countersigned by the Secretary of the National Grange.

He shall report monthly to the Master of the National Grange, through the office of the Secretary, a statement of all receipts of deposits made by him, and of all drafts or checks signed by him during the previous month.

He shall report to the National Grange, at each annual session, a statement of all receipts of deposits made by him, and of all drafts or checks signed by him since his last annual report.

ART. 8. It shall be the duty of the Lecturer to visit, for the good of the Order, such portions of the United States as the Executive Committee may direct, for which services he shall receive compensation.

ART. 9. It shall be the duty of the Executive Committee to exercise a general supervision of the affairs of the Order during the

recess of the National Grange; to instruct the Secretary in regard to printing and disbursements, and to place in his hands a contingent fund; to decide all questions and appeals referred to them by the officers and members of State Granges; and to lay before the National Grange, at each session, a report of all such questions and appeals, and their decisions thereon.

ART. 10. Such compensation for time and service shall be given the Master, Lecturer, Secretary, Treasurer, and Executive Committee, as the National Grange may, from time to time, determine.

Whenever General Deputies are appointed by the Master of the National Grange, said Deputies shall receive such compensation for time and services as may be determined by the Executive Committee: Provided, In no case shall pay from the National Grange be given General Deputies in any State after the formation of its State Grange.

ART. 11. The financial existence of Subordinate Granges shall date from the first day of January, first day of April, first day of July, and the first day of October subsequent to the day of their organization, from which date their first quarter shall commence.

State Granges shall date their financial existence three months after the first day of January, first of April, first of July, and first of October, immediately following their organization.

ART. 12. Each State Grange shall be entitled to send one representative, who shall be the Master thereof, or his proxy, to all meetings of the National Grange. He shall receive mileage, at the rate of five cents per mile, both ways, computed by the nearest practicable route, to be paid as follows: The Master and Secretary of the National Grange shall give such Representative an order for the amount on the Treasurer of the State Grange which he represents, and this order shall be receivable by the National Grange in payment of State dues.

ART. 13. Special meetings of the National Grange shall be called by the Master upon the application of the Masters of ten State Granges, one month's notice of such meeting being given to all members of the National Grange. No alterations or amendments to the By-Laws or Ritual shall be made at any special meeting.

ART. 11. These By-Laws may be altered or amended at any annual meeting of the National Grange, by a two-thirds vote of the memhers present.

The Manual containing the Constitution of the National Grange has the following pertinent remarks, relating to the work of subordinate Granges, and their legitimate sphere

of action:

First, we organize the Granges, and study to become familiar with the work of the Lodge room. We study to take in the essence and

spirit of our beautiful and elevating Ritual. We also get acquainted with each other. As a people, we pay too little regard to the social and fraternal element in society. There are, perhaps, reasons why this is so, growing out of our earnest practical life in developing a new country, but it is none the less true that our happiness and well-being would be better promoted by cultivating more fully our social natures.

After the organizing period has passed, we come to the business or material phase of our work. Here we need to be governed by a large and enlightened wisdom. We are suffering from the oppression of corporations. Manufacturers combine against us, and, owing to circumstances by which we are surrounded, we, perhaps, do not understand, at present, just the best and most business-like method of remedying the evil. We need, then, to carefully study and mature our plans before we begin to act. We talk over among ourselves what we desire to do, and compare opinions as to the best methods of arriving at results. Having perfected our plans, we should be more than careful that we carry out in good faith, and in a businesslike way, all agreements and contracts.

CONSTITUTION OF STATE GRANGES.

The following is stated, by authority, to be among the most perfect of the Constitutions of the State Granges, especially those articles (III and XXIII) entitled "Legislative" and "Councils:"

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE GRANGE OF MISSOURI. ARTICLE I.-This Grange shall be known as the Missouri State Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry.

ARTICLE II.-Members.-The members of the State Grange shall be composed of Masters of Subordinate Granges and their wives, who are Matrons. Past Masters and their wives, who are Matrons, are honorary members, and shall be eligible to hold office, but not entitled to vote.

THE STATE GRANGE OF MISSOURI.

177

ARTICLE III.-Legislative.-The legislative and all other powers of this Grange shall be vested in certain of its members, to be selected as follows: All members of the State Grange, resident in each county, shall meet on the first Tuesday in February, at such place as they may from time to time designate, and elect one of their inembers for the county at large, and one additional member for each eight Granges, or fraction equal to five. Providing, nothing in this act shall be construed to prevent Masters and Past Masters and their wives, who are Matrons, from attending the meetings of the State Grange, and receiving the Fifth degree.

ARTICLE IV.-Meetings.-This Grange shall hold regular annual meetings on the third Wednesday in February, at such place as the Grange may, from time to time, determine. Special meetings may be called by the Master and Secretary, upon the written request of the Executive Committee; written notices of such meeting being given to each Subordinate Grange thirty days preceding, or by a vote of the Grange at a regular meeting.

ARTICLE V.-Duties of Officers.-Fifty members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but a less number may adjourn from day to day.

ARTICLE VI.-It shall be the duty of the Master to open and pro side at all meetings of the Grange, and, in conjunction with the Ser retary, call special meetings of the Grange.

ARTICLE VII.-The duties of the Lecturer shall be such as usually devolve upon that officer in a Subordinate Grange.

ARTICLE VIII.-It shall be the duty of the Overseer to assist the Master in preserving order, and he shall preside over the Grange in the absence of the Master. In case of a vacancy in the office of Master, he shall fill the same until the next annual meeting.

ARTICLE IX.-It shall be the duty of the Steward to have charge of the Inner Gate.

ARTICLE X.-The Assistant Steward shall assist the Steward in the performance of his duties.

ARTICLE XI.-Section 1. The Secretary shall keep an accurate record of all proceedings of the Grange, make out all necessary returns to the National Grange, keep the accounts of the Subordinate Granges with the State Grange, and pay over quarterly to the Treasurer all moneys coming into his hands, and take a receipt for the same. He shall also keep a complete register of the number and names of all Subordinate Granges, and the name and address of the Master and Secretary.

Sec. 2. The Secretary shall receive as compensation for his serv