THE STATE GRANGE. 659 



COUNTY DEPUTY WORK. 



During the year, deputj- work has been made a special feature and 

 systematically encouraged, and while the results are not as prolific in new 

 Granges as a high degree of enthusiasm and anxiety might desire, enough 

 has been accomplished to give encouragement for renewed effort along 

 the same line. 



While all County Deputies, no doubt, desire to see Grange lines extend- 

 ed, many of them are so situated that they cannot or do not give the 

 necessary time to thoroughly prepare and execute the work on a scale 

 justified by the vast unoccupied territory in each of their respective coun- 

 ties. The successful organizer need not be an eloquent speaker, but in- 

 stead, should possess the genius and push of a successful agent, and the 

 tenacity of purpose which knows no fail. With those, all obstacles will 

 be overcome, and success result from their effort*. Be not discouraged. 

 "Hope and Perservere," must be the motto of every County Deputy. We 

 often say that the harvest is ready for the reaper, but the farmers are not 

 so anxious to organize Granges or to assist in any good work, as to cause 

 them to come, by neighborhoods, and plead to be organized. The truth 

 is, they are convinced that organization and co-operation are necessary 

 to meet the requirements of the day, but they are yet to be convinced that 

 the Grange is the ship in which to embark. This last is left for the 

 deputy to do. Nearly every place, five miles from an existing Grange, 

 is a suitable place for a deputy to set a stake for a center of jurisdiction, 

 and commence his work of bringing the people together into a Grange. 

 The question of a meeting place will take care of itself if a Grange is 

 secured. If our fifty county deputies will thoroughly study the details 

 of the business, and set their stakes at once, and work along such lines 

 as their judgment will dictate in accordance with circumstances in each 

 place, and with that determination which impels them in other lines of 

 business, each deputy can place to his credit from 5 to 10 Granges by 

 March first. It is apparent that since the fees were reduced it is not so 

 easy to figure out justice to the Grange and pay the deputy an encourag- 

 ing price for his effort. It now requires large charter lists. To cover 

 this, in part, a bounty is offered to deputies in behalf of the State Grange, 

 and to be paid out of such funds as may be set aside for lecture and 

 field work. As a still further encouragement for deputies to visit and 

 work for the upbuilding of the Granges they organize, I recommend that 

 the State Grange give to said deputies one-half of the fees paid by new 

 members for one year after the charter of the new Grange is closed. Also 

 that the same payment be made by the State Grange to the deputy on 

 account of all eligible applications for membership he may present to an 

 existing Grange this to the end that the deputy will canvass the district 

 of all existing Granges for the purpose of adding to their membership. 

 This might also be extended and apply to all members as an encourage- 

 ment to work for new members. 



It is the payment of quarterly dues to the State Grange that assists 

 its treasury most, and to get the dues, members must first be secured. It 

 seems apparent that it will be a money making investment for the State 

 Grange to do as recommended. If the State bounty can be maintained 

 (which I am confident it can) and the recommended concession adopted. 



