MICHIGAN STATE GRANGE. '■'■■'< 



granges in a most practical way. Along the line of further exercising ibis 

 paternal care so essential to Grange perpetuity in a state, we have estab- 

 lished what may be termed a summer and a winter series of work. The 

 summer series to consist of a systematic chain of wbat Ave propose to call 

 •Patrons' Bailies' arranged for on such successive dates as will permit 

 our speakers to attend one each working day of a week. The same to !><■ 

 located by counties or districts, as will be most successful in calling out i In- 

 rank and tile of patrons everywhere to receive the encouragement ;'ud new 

 enthusiasm so much needed always. The programs at these rallies arc to 

 be suggested and controlled in such a way as to keep Grange principles 

 and thought in prominence to the end that the week may be strengthened, 

 the strong kept steadfast, — so that the thoughts of those present and not 

 members of the Order may be turned grangeward. AVe choose to call these 

 gatherings 'Patrons' Rallies,' for the purpose of establishing their dis- 

 tinctiveness from the common farmers' picnics of which we have so many. 



"The winter series consists of state aid to the subordinate granges in the 

 form of what we call 'Grange Conferences,' — the conferences to be held 

 even more numerously over the State than the 'Patrons' Pal lies," so as to go 

 as near to the great mass of members as possible. In other words, go to 

 the many good members who will not come to us at any great distance. 

 These conferences to be in every sense what their name suggests. Have 

 the meetings for patrons only. Meet at 10 a. m. and close at 4 p. m. Select 

 from those present enough to open and close in ritualistic form for the 

 purpose of comment if necessary, and the establishment of uniform methods 

 all over the State. For consideration take up questions of Grange methods 

 and procedure such as perfect degree forms, duties of officers, lecturer's 

 hour, cooperate buying, unwritten work, and any of the many questions 

 upon which Grange success depends. For the maintenance of this summer 

 and winter series of State aid to subordinate granges, the State Grange 

 pays such proportion of the expenses as may be decided upon and the 

 treasury will warrant. Through this line of summer and Avinter work 

 ingeniously carried out it is calculated that our State Grange can perform 

 its full duties in the matter of mothering the subordinate granges. These 

 plans substitute a business system for random and scattered effort. They 

 put the work in such form as will permit the greatest possible amount of 

 good to be done at a minimum cost. They are susceptible of such improved 

 execution as management and neAV conditions and experience may dictate. 

 Thus Ave aA'oid the demoralizing effect of trying something ucav at frequent 

 intervals and much of the time doing practically nothing. 



"Our system of cooperative trade through special contracts is of great 

 importance to the Order of Michigan. The list contains about forty con- 

 tracts with as many manufacturers and business firms. Extra from this 

 are our special contracts for binder tAvine and fertilizers. While these 

 contracts are not used by all granges and members of the Order they 

 satisfy those A\ho desire to receive the benefits of direct trade Avhile there 

 is no possible chance of injury from them to the Order. At the present our 

 State Grange receives nearly enough in percentages from these contracts 

 to pay the salaries of all its officers. 



"The Michigan State Grange forced declarations favorable to the cause 

 of equal taxation into the platforms of each of the dominant parties at 

 the tAA-o last State elections. Its tenacity in the exercise of this strong 



