30 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



By-laws and instructed its Secretary to have the same printed 

 together with a code for the use of Subordinate Granges, and 

 send copies to all Granges in the State. Some portions of these 

 amendments were adopted in the anticipation of an early 

 ratification of, at least, a part of the proposed amendments to 

 the National Constitution. This anticipation not having been 

 realized, some portions of the by-laws seem to be without 

 authority, while others are in direct conflict with the National 

 Constitution. Notwithstanding these apparent inconsistences, 

 it is believed tlie}^ have very generally met the needs of the 

 Order. 



At its meeting in June, the committee believing it to be for 

 the interests of the Order that commission agencies be estab- 

 lished in the cities of St. Louis and Peoria, requested Brother 

 Van Court to proceed to St. Louis and make the necessary 

 investigations and arrangements. The result of his mission 

 was the appointment of the firm of Grant & Houston, who, 

 having entered into contract with us and executed a bond in 

 the sum of $150,000, were recommended to the Patrons in a 

 confidential circular issued from the Secretary's office, containing 

 also the rates of commission. 



At the same time Brother Burdett was requested to make 

 arrangements for the establishment of a similar agency in the 

 cit}^ of Peoria, with full power to negotiate for the committee, 

 but no contract has been reported by him, consequent!}^ we 

 have no authorized agents in that city. 



The committee recommended the organization of County 

 Granges and the establishment of business agencies in the local 

 business centers in the several counties with facilities for 

 keeping supplies of goods on hand. With the recommendation 

 of the establishment of these agencies, acting in conjunction 

 with the State Agency, an agency in Chicago and St. Louis, 

 your committee considered they had fully discharged their duty 

 in this direction. 



In June, S. J. Frew was made Purchasing Agent, with 

 permission to receive and fill orders at a commission of five per 

 cent, upon the amount of orders filled, and all farther compen- 

 sation from the State Grange withdrawn. Thus the Agency 

 was to depend for its support upon the actual amount of 

 business done at a commission of five per cent. 



We are full}^ convinced that, had the members of the Order 

 fully and heartily co-operated with your committee in these 

 business arrangements, a showing might have been made at this 

 meeting very satisfactory to all parties interested in the success 

 and welfare of our organization. But at present it is doubtful 

 if a showing can be made that will approximate any thing near 

 accuracy in this branch of the work of the Order. 



