24 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



violated without my knowledge or consent, and all efforts to 

 effect a satisfactory arrangement seems to be useless thus far. 

 i know, assuredly, that some members of our Executive 

 Committee have labored hard to prevent the inauguration of so 

 disastrous a system of purchasing. It has been with the 

 greatest difficulty that I persuaded manufacturers to anticipate 

 a better trade from us durino^ the coming year, and in view of 

 this, they have, for the present, concluded to not establish their 

 old agencies until they see what we will do here. We are not 

 in a situation to experiment with untried theories. We see 

 discouragement pictured in the Granges all over the State, and 

 the serious question presents itself to you, — will we enter upon 

 another year with no better plans than we now have? 



I was unfortunate at the time of getting out my last price 

 list in adding the names of Harris Brothers, who offered the 

 Singer Sewing Machine. They proved to be swindlers. I 

 discovered the fact almost as soon as the lists were distributed, 

 and published a caution in the agricultural papers of Illinois, 

 which was copied by almost the entire Western press, and so 

 far as I know, very little harm arose from the misfortune. 



Hoping that the experience of the past will prepare us for 

 greater success in the future, and thanking the Patrons for 

 their kind forbearance while I attempted to accommodate all, and 

 with a firm belief that we will surmount every difficulty and 

 unfurl the banner inscribed with '' success,'' to cheer the heart 

 of the husbandman, this report is fraternally and respectfully 

 submitted by S. J. Frew. 



The following resolution, introduced by Bro. I. J. Monfort, 

 of Coles county, was adopted: 



Resolved, That the report of the State Purchasing Agent, Frew, be 

 referred tea committee of three — printed with the proceedings, and a 

 copy sent to each Subordinate Grange, with a request that it be read in 

 open Grange. 



Master appointed as said committee, W. P. Parker, of Knox; 

 A. F. Hardy, of Champaign; J. Close, of Mercer. 



J. S. Armstrong made the following report, which was 

 received and, on motion, referred to Finance Committee: 



Springfield, Jan. 12, 1875. 

 I, as Treasurer of the State Grange of Illinois, would beg 

 leave to submit the following report to your honorable body: 



I found in the hands of J. H. Simonson, former Treasurer, 



