greeted them from this chair shall suffer *©■ abatement at my 

 bands. The future is full of promise, and no real cause for dis- 

 couragement is appareut. On the contrary, there is much t# 

 stimulate and encourage. Peace ami harmony prevail in the 

 Order throughout the State, and I see no good reason why we 

 may not enjoy a lime of general prosperity during the winter, 

 eo that with augmented numbers aud increased facilities, we 

 may attain to still greater achievements. 



The Executive committee believing that the best interests 

 of the Order demanded that some one should visit through- 

 out the State and lecture upon the work, objects and aims of 

 the Grange, to the end that greater uniformity of work might 

 fee secured, and a more thorough and perfect organization 

 Drought about, the Master of the State Grange was requested 

 by the committee to undertake this work, believing that the 

 demand was imperative, that something must be. done to 

 counteract the influences that were operating against the Or- 

 der and affecting its power and usefulness, I consented to per- 

 form this extra service — a work which was neither contem- 

 plated or provided for by the State Grange. In pursuance of 

 this plan, I have visited sixty three of the one hundred and 

 two counties in the State, with an outlay to the State Grange 

 of but fSO 00, the necessary travelling expenses being fully 

 met by the counties visited — less the amount above stated. I 

 was received by the Patrons of the several counties visited 

 with marked respect and fraternal cordiality. In a majority 

 of the counties two meetings were held — one in public and 

 one inside the gates. 



These visits have afforded an opportunity for gaining an 

 insight into the workings of the Order, unattainable by any 

 other means. Irregularities have been corrected, defects dis- 

 covered and pointed out, the advantages ot organization more 

 fully explained and demonstrated, business facilities devel- 

 oped, the bonds of fraternity which bind us together in one 

 grand brotherhood strengthened, and our meiubers encour- 

 aged to put forth still greater efforts to resist the arrogant 

 demands of organized mono plies, and the ungodly exactions 

 q! ■ ] vtpnn labor. Provision should.be made to have lie 



