160 CHAPTERS IN RURAL PROGRESS 



farmers who are moral, high-minded, God- 

 fearing men and women. 



The Grange has been opposed, both by farm- 

 ers and by others, because secrecy is not a 

 desirable attribute; but the experience of 

 forty years and the uniform testimony of all 

 leaders in the work declare that this was a wise 

 provision. No influential member has, so far as 

 it is known, proposed that the order should be 

 dismantled of its secret features. The ritualistic 

 work is not burdensome. Occasionally the 

 processes of initiation may take time that ought 

 to be allotted to educational work; but, if the 

 initiation is properly conducted, it has of itself 

 a high educational value. 



The financial status of the Grange itself is 

 worth noting. The fees for joining are merely 

 nominal, while the dues are only ten cents a 

 month per member. These fees and dues 

 support the subordinate Granges, the State 

 Grange, and the National Grange. There are 

 no high-salaried officials in the order, and few 

 salaried positions of any kind. The National 

 Grange today has nearly $100,000 in its treasury, 

 and several State Granges have substantial 

 reserves. This policy is pursued, not for the 

 love of hoarding, but because it is believed that 



