60 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



The following resolutions were adopted: 



Resolved, That we are deeply interested in the attempt now being made to 

 assert the right to control the railroad corporations of the State, so far as to 

 secure the people against unjust discriminations and extortionate rates ot 

 charges for the transportation of passengers and freight; that, while we 

 freely concede to these corporations the right to a fair and just compensa- 

 tion for the services they may perform, we are determined that the 

 valuable franchises freely bestowed upon them by the people shall not be 

 converted into instruments of oppression and injustice. 



Resolved, That, in our efforts to reform the enormous abuses of the 

 powers conferred upon these corporations, which have hitherto prevailed 

 to such an alarming extent, we will take no steps backward. We believe 

 the present legislation on this subject is based upon sound principles, and 

 is reasonable and just in its provisions, not only to the producers and 

 shippers, but also to the corporations, and we are inflexibly opposed to 

 any modification or change in any of its features until the litigation now 

 pending, and in which the law has thus far been uniformly sustained, 

 has been prosecuted to a final adjudication, and the rights of the people 

 and the duties of the corporations definitely ascertained. 



Bro. 0. E. Lovitt, Chairman Committee on Co-operation, made 

 the following report which was, on motion, received and adopted: 



We, the undersigned committee to whom the subject of 

 Co-operation was referred, beg leave to offer the following 

 report : 



First. We would respectfully recommend that all County and 

 Subordinate Grranges become incorporated organizations under 

 the State law. 



Second. We most urgently recommend that every County 

 Grange appoint a good, competent agent, who shall make his 

 purchases, so far as practicable, through the State Purchasing 

 Agent. 



Third. Inasmuch as economy is one of the cardinal principles 

 which underlie success in every branch of business, and in con- 

 sideration of the fact that Decatur is centrally located geo- 

 graphically, and in the further consideration that it is more 

 accessible by railroad than any other city in the State, we 

 would most urgently, but respectfull}^ recommend that the 

 State Purchasing Agent be located in Decatur. 



0. E. LoviTT, 1 



H. C. Robertson", [ Committee. 



D. P. Keller, J 



On motion, the location of the next meeting of the State 

 Grange was left to the decision of the Executive Committee. 



Bro. G. W. Patton, Chairman of Committee on By-Laws, 

 made a report, which was received, and on motion, was taken 

 up separately and adopted. 



