STATE GRANGE OF ILLINOIS. 39 



mon good, and should use that power so as to produce the greatest good 

 to the greatest number. 



Resolved. That the railroad corporations of this countrj^ are managed 

 with such disregard to the interests of the people as to make it the duty 

 of the State governments to exercise their authority in regulating such 

 corporations, and where the States have not the power to restrain the rail- 

 roads from an improper use of their powers, that it is the duty of the 

 General government to interpose its power to compel the railway man- 

 agers to have due regard to the rights of the people. 



The following resoliitiou, introduced by G. L. Kirkpatrick, 



was adopted: 



Resolved, That there lie a committee of five appointed whose duty it 

 shall be to consider the propriety of establishing a State Agricultural 

 Store, through which all county agents may purchase, and also the best 

 method of raising the necessary capital for running the same and the most 

 central point to suit the convenience of the Patrons of the State, and 

 report to-morrov*' morning. 



Master appointed as said committee: G. L. Kirkpatrick, 

 Samuel Reed, Thomas Gill, S. S. Garst, J. M. Chambers. 



On motion, a recess was taken until two o'clock, P. M. 



Grange met after recess; called to order by Worthy Overseer. 



The following resolutions, ofiPered by the Committee on Reso- 

 lutions, were adopted: 



Whereas, The custom of the Congress of the United States to extend 

 patents to those who have already accumulated large fortunes has so 

 enhanced the price of many useful inventions as to place them beyond 

 the reach of persons of moderate means; therefore, 



Resoloed, That the State Grange of Illinois demand of their representa- 

 tives in both houses of Congress to use every honorable means to prevent 

 the indiscriminate extension of patents. 



Resolved, That we recommend such a change in organized law, as to 

 make Fourth Degree members eligible to election as representatives to the 

 State Grange. 



Resolved, That ihe State Grange of Illinois urgeutl}' request the mem- 

 bers of our Legislature to use their utmost exertions to prevent the repeal 

 or modification of the present temperance law of the State. 



Resolved, That the Legislature of the State of Illinois at present assem- 

 bled in Springfield, be requested to oppose all attempts made b}^ the rail- 

 road and other monopolies to repeal the present Railroad and Warehouse 

 Commission law. 



Resolved, That the system of protection by tariff is one of the most 

 odious of all special legislation, and that we urge upon our Senators and 

 Representatives in Congress the necessity of repealing all protective tarifl:' 

 laws. 



Ayes and Nays called for: Ayes, 101: Nays, 32. 



Resolved, That the currency question is one of much importance, and 

 should be investigated without fear, favor or prejudice. 



Resolved, That while we are not in favor of inflation, we do not see 

 how it is possible to make a basis of gold and silver without such con- 

 traction of the currency as to produce wide-spread disaster. 



