FAVORABLE REPORT OF FINANCES. 127 



we drifted further from tlie world s standard. We totally failed to 

 realize our changed circumstances and to inaugurate a correspond 

 ing system of economy and industry, and, consequently, with an 

 inheritance of debt, extravagant habits and distorted judgment of 

 values, we have been incessantly drifting to leeward. Out of this 

 trouble there is no royal road. Only by a return to habits of indus 

 try and economy, guided by intelligence, can we regain our wealth 

 and remove our load of debt. As an auxiliary to this, we wan-b a 

 staple and sound currency, that shall be a reliable measure of values, 

 and recognized as such by all the civilized world. For we may gain 

 this truth from others and our own history, that an irredeemable, 

 fluctuating currency always favors speculators and sharpers, at the 

 expense of those engaged in productive industry. 



In an order like ours, which is still in the formative state, it has 

 not seemed strange that many cases have presented themselves dur 

 ing the past year which were provided for by no written law. To 

 meet these emergencies it has devolved upon me, as the chief exec 

 utive officer of the Order, to make numerous rules for our tempo 

 rary guidance. These have been placed in the hands of your com 

 mittee for arrangement, and will be submitted for your consideration. 



Some cases have arisen involving points of such doubtful expedi 

 ency that I have hesitated about taking the responsibility of making* 

 rulings. To cover these additional legislation will be needed. An 

 amendment to the Constitution has been adopted and ratified, pro 

 viding for County Granges, under the direction of State Granges. 

 I am fully convinced, from visiting several States, that the widest 

 possible difference will exist in the organization and management of 

 these Granges in the different States. Under proper and efficient 

 rule they cannot fail to be of eminent value to the Order, but if 

 loosely and carelessly constructed they will be a source of endless 

 annoyance and confusion. As the Masters of all the State Granges 

 are here together in council, it might be well for this body to prepare 

 a complete system of management of Fifth Degree County Granges, 

 and send it to the States. This would not, of course, go to the 

 States as law, but recommended as a plan prepared by and embody 

 ing the combined judgment of the Masters of all the State Granges. 

 I doubt not such a plan would be generally welcomed, and would 

 tend to produce uniformity in the work in the several States. 



The principal office of the National Grange, under the manage 

 ment of our Worthy Secretary, is each year assuming a more system 

 atic and perfect shape. The amount of business done and the man 

 ner of doing it, will be fully shown in his report. 



It is an agreeable fact to state that the revenues of the National 

 Grange have been above the expenditures, thus leaving a balance in 

 the treasury, as will appear by the report of the Worthy Treasurer. 



This subject of our finances is one upon which the members of 

 our Order are particularly and very properly quite sensitive, and we 

 owe it, not only to them, but to ourselves, that the receipts and dis 

 bursement of all moneys be conducted in a manner which will com 

 mend itself to the judgment of business men. 



In our work as a body, and in our association with each other as 

 sisters and brothers, let our deportment be such as to cast a halo 

 over the noble occupation we follow, unite in closer bonds our great 



