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senied at this meeting to be adopted by our members. But in 



this I am disappointed. Wherever a plan ot life insurance 

 has been adopted by State Granges, as has been done by those 

 of New York, Wisconsin and others, it has proven very satis- 

 factory. Other orders similar to ours have their aid societies, 

 winch has proven highly beneficent to their members patron- 

 izing them. Why may we not profit by their example aud 

 give our members something to take the place of the costly 

 life insurance companies patronized by them at an outlay 

 greatly in excess of what is necessary to insure the same ben- 

 efits from an equitable plan such as have been adopted by 

 other organizations. Also the advantages of home fire insur- 

 ance companies for farm property cannot l>e too highjy rec- 

 ommended. The general adoption of this plan would save 

 thousands of dollars annually to the farmers of the State. A 

 number of these home companies have been organized in the 

 Htate, which have given the best satisfaction. These compa- 

 nies can be made just as safe and reliable as the companies 

 conducted upon the old plan, aud with less than one-half the 

 outlay of money. Self-interest demands reform in the man- 

 ner of insuring our property. 



There has been along-felt want among our members of a 

 mere direct medium of communication between the execu- 

 tive officers of the State Grange and the Subordinate Granges 

 than any heretofore made. Efforts have been repeatedly 

 made to supply this want. These efforts have only been par- 

 tially successful, and not by any means satisfactory. With- 

 out being committed to any particular plan, it appears to my 

 mind that the most feasible and practicable one is that of 

 issuing a monthly bulletin, as successfully practiced by num- 

 bers of State Granges. This plan is attended with but little 

 trouble and expense. In tact, these bulletins have been gen- 

 erally self-supporting after the first two or three months. The 

 demand of our members for information is imperative, and 

 must be complied with, or great injury will result to the Or- 

 der throughout the State. Our people need information. 

 They have a right to expect it at our hands, and it is to be 

 hoped that tlfe action of this State Grange in this matter 

 willtbe such as will no longer disappoint them. As an addi 



