568 THE GBOUNDSWELL. 



Satisfactory progress has been made. Millions had been saved to members, 

 and still they were only on the threshold of the work. He had found man- 

 ufacturers and consumers equally as anxious as the farmers to get rid of the 

 loss in transit. 



Mr. Adams thought the National Grange should elaborate careful plans 

 for cooperative stores, using the experience of the Rochdale and other soci 

 eties. He did not believe in government building railroads or canals, nor in 

 new roads being made by private enterprise. He appreciated the difficulty 

 of fixing tariffs by law, but could not see but that disinterested men could do 

 it as well as railroad men. It would be difficult to get National and State 

 Legislatures to pass any law which will be efficient, for there is no money in 

 it. They would be more likely to pass laws involving an expenditure of 

 fifty or a hundred millions. Nature had placed a magnificent river through 

 the heart of our agricultural region, the only obstructions to which were a 

 single rapid, a sand bar, and a heartless tow-boat monopoly. 



With respect to the constitution and by-laws of the Order, Mr. Adams 

 recommended the alteration of the constitution of the State Granges, which 

 are unwieldy. Newly initiated members, he thought, should be allowed a voice 

 in the business of Granges, as their patience was now unnecessarily taxed. 

 With respect to the vexed question of who should be allowed to be members, 

 he very pertinently said he wanted the gates closed against all those whose 

 interest consists in what they can get out of the Order. 



THE BOSTON GRANGE. SOME OTHERS. 



The subject of the Boston Grange was alluded to. Mr. Adams censured 

 the action of Deputy Abbott in organizing it, and of the State Master of 

 Massachusetts in countenancing and sustaining it. Such conduct ought to 

 be rebuked and punished. In conclusion. Mr. Adams said : &quot; Without 

 doubt this is the most important meeting of agriculturists ever held in any 

 land. The responsibility resting upon us is enormous. The whole country t 

 both within and without the gates, is searchingly watching our every act 

 the enemy to find a weak point to attack, our friends hoping and expecting 

 much good to result. The agriculturists of the nation are now on trial.&quot; 



CONSTITUTIONAL RE VISION OF THE NA TIONAL GRANGE. 



One of the most important works accomplished by the Grange was the 

 prepared constitutional amendments, which, to become law, must be submit 

 ted to the States for ratification, a three-fourths vote being necessary to thi* 

 end. The proposed amendments are as follows 



