670 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



and delivered an address of welcome. Master Horton of the State 

 Grange gave the response. Gov. Pingree was introduced and spoke on 

 the reduction of railroad fares, the danger of the concentration of wealth, 

 equal taxation and other topics. His remarks were well received. 



Ex-president Kimmis of the farmers' clubs gave a scholarly and 

 thoughtful address on effective work with the legislature. 



Mrs. Mayo submitted a report of the committee on woman's work in 

 the grange. During the year two lines of work were taken up,, one the 

 fresh air work, the other the visits to schools; 202 young people en- 

 joyed the two weeks' outing. The people who have entertained these 

 city visitors are those of limited means. Mrs. Mary C. Spencer, State 

 Librarian, spoke of the traveling library. There are now out 140 libra- 

 ries of 50 volumes each. 



The following were elected members of the executive committee, be- 

 ing re-elections: F. W. Redfern, of Clinton county, E. A. Holden, of 

 Ingham, R. K. Devine. of Oakland. 



Thursday afternoon was given up to the consideration of subordinate 

 grange work. Thursday evening the fifth degree was conferred on a 

 class of 30, and the sixth degree on a class of 57. The committee on 

 dormant granges reported with recommendations calculated to revivify 

 them. 



Judge Ramsdell of the committee on taxation reported as follows: 



Resolved, That we favor the equal and just taxation of corporate 

 property, and especially that class of corporate property, owned, con- 

 trolled and operated by corporations receiving their right to do business 

 through valuable franchises granted by the state. 



Resolved, That we pledge our hearty support to ail reasonable efforts 

 made or to be made by the present state administration, or any future 

 administration, to right the wrongs that are being suffered by the farm- 

 ing and -business interests of the state, on account of the unequal taxa- 

 tion of this class of corporate property. 



Resolved, That we direct the members of the legislative committee 

 of this body, who may represent us at any general or special sesvsion of 

 the legislature, to present the views of this body, upon the subject of such 

 taxation, and to aid as far as possible in bringing about a reasonable 

 and adequate reform in that behalf. 



Resolved, That we will not knowingly support, either in nominating 

 conventions or at the polls, any person for either the House of Repre- 

 sentatives or the State Senate, who is not earnestly in favor of com- 

 pelling corporate property to bear its just and proper proportion of the 

 burdens of taxation. 



The resolutions weir adopted. 



D. F. Holden reported for the committee on Transportation recom- 

 mending a flat two cent passenger fare on Michigan railroads, also a 

 stable and uniform freight rate, expressing the idea that the State Legis- 

 lature should supervise freight rates. 



N. I. Moore reported for the committee on Co-operation, mentioning 

 the success of i lie trade arrangements-. .Master Horton stated that he 

 expected to make •'!•» contracts in grange trade arrangements in his sub- 

 ordinate grange. 



The per diem and expenses of the officers was reduced so us to cor- 



