STATE GRANGE 487 



The chairman of the committee on legislative action submitted the 

 following report: 

 Worthy Master, Sister and Brother Patrons: 



Your committee on legislative action beg leave to present the following 

 report for your consideration: 



We desire to congratulate the Michigan State Grange on the success- 

 ful enactment into law of the measures presented by its representatives 

 to the legislature of 1895, to wit : The Farmers' Institute bill, the State 

 Statistician bill, and the pure food bill. 



The Farmers' Institute law, judging from the numerous press and 

 private reports received from all over the State, is giving quite general 

 satisfaction. There is now and then a locality where some changes of 

 a local character can be made, that will bring the work contemplated by 

 the law more nearly in touch with local sentiment. We have no doubt 

 but that the good sense of those having the matter in charge will bring 

 about the desirable changes, and that this law will long stand as a land- 

 mark, witnessing the wisdom of the order that was responsible for its 

 enactment. 



THE STATE STATISTICIAN 



is one from which the farmers of the State are expecting very much. 

 The officer charged with the duty of carrying out its provisions has not 

 yet submitted his report, and the benefits which are hoped to be derived 

 from his recommendations to the legislature are at present only con- 

 jectural. We believe, however, that much good will be accomplished, 

 and are unreservedly in favor of the continuance of the office until such 

 time as the people are satisfied that no more benefits may be derived 

 from it. 



THE PURE FOOD LAW 



has passed beyond that period which may be considered as experimental. 

 Its execution has resulted in the saving of very large amounts of money 

 to consumers of food products. Before its enactment, Michigan was fast 

 gaining an enviable notoriety as the grand dumping ground for all 

 kinds of adulterated products. We are glad to be able to state that the 

 efforts put forth by the officers charged with the execution of this law 

 Tiave practically driven from the State the unscrupulous business men 

 whose prime motive was only gain, and given to the honest manufacturer 

 a practical monopoly of the markets of INIichigan. 



It was not to be expected but that the putting in force of a new law of 

 such vast importance would exhibit points of weakness in that law. 

 Several of such have already been discovered, and the incoming legis- 

 lature will be asked to remedy its defects. A new clause should be 

 added prohibiting the coloring of butterine, oleomargarine, or other 

 similar products, so as in any way to imitate pure butter. The right to 

 enter any place of business for the purpose of detecting fraud should be 

 given the commission, and also the right, under proper guarantees, to 

 open packages suspected to contain adulterated products. 



The committee presented the following resolutions, which were con- 

 curred in and adopted: 



Resolved, That the work of the Tax Statistician has proved of sufficient 

 importance and benefit to the taxpayers of the State to warrant the con- 

 tinuance of the office. 



