16 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



ute to the funds of the treasury. The proposed amendments to 

 the Constitution allows State Granges to fix the amount of dues 

 from the subordinates; hence it will be the duty of this body to 

 fix the amount of dues, also the penalty for non-payment. 



We would recommend that a decided expression be given of 

 the time a Grange may retain its connection with the Order 

 without payment of dues, and request the executive ofiicers to 

 enforce the penalty. The Committee deeming it desirable to 

 have an exhibit of the condition of the books and papers in the 

 Secretary's and Treasurer's ofiices, appointed Bros. Alexander, 

 Lawrence and Foster a sub-committee to make a thorough exam- 

 ination of said books and papers. This committee reported as 

 follows: 



To the Members of the Executive Committee: 



Your sub-committee appointed to examine the books and 

 papers of the Secretary and Treasurer, beg leave to submit the 

 following: 



It was deemed best to make the examination as near the close 

 of the year as possible. A meeting was called for the 24th of 

 November, but owing to receiving notice from the Secretary 

 that his books were not in readiness, another meeting was 

 appointed for December 2d. The same reason prevented the 

 meeting at this time. Bro. Fanning informed us he would meet 

 us at Champaign on Friday previous to the meeting of the State 

 Grange, but owing to his failure to meet your committee at this 

 time, we have been unable to examine his books. Bro. Arm- 

 strong was promptly on hand, and we have carefully examined 

 his books and compared his vouchers therewith, and find all cor- 

 rect up to date. Your committee recommend this examination 

 of the Secretary's books and papers be made previous to the 

 first day of January 1876, and that in future the Executive 

 Committee meet quarterly at the Secretary's office, and examine 

 his books and vouchers at each meeting. 



Signed, A. J. Alexakdek, for Committee. 



Your Executive Committee would unanimously join in the 

 above recommendation, and would further recommend that the 

 Executive Committee consist of four elective members, and the 

 Master be ex-officio member. We would suggest that the Sec- 

 retary should not be a member of this committee. In view of 

 the present and probable future condition of the finances of this 

 Grange, we would also suggest the necessity of reducing the 

 membership of this body. 



In relation to the business prospects of the Order, your com- 

 mittee have had very fine opportunities of learning the various 

 plans adopted in nearly every State in the Union, and the 

 results. The States that seem to have been the most successful 



