134 ANNALS OF STATE GRANGE OF CALIFORNIA. 



and, joining hands, let us covenant, upon the very threshold of our 

 organization, that the meetings, the counsels and the labors of the 

 Order in California, shall be dedicated to the cause of justice and 

 humanity. 



That we pledge each to the other that we will labor faithfully, 

 patiently, earnestly and persistently, to purify the moral, social, 

 business and political atmosphere of our State and Nation, bearing 

 ever in mind that if we would triumph in the unequal conflict upon 

 which we now enter, we must fear God, obey our laws and maintain 

 our honor, not forgetting that a good Matron, as also a good Hus 

 bandman, is noted at all times and everywhere for his or her fidelity. 

 &amp;gt; 



The specific objects were declared to be: 



1. To establish cooperative systems of trade^ thus bringing 

 producers and consumers as near together as possible. 



2. To establish banks from which farmers could obtain loans 

 at reasonable interest. 



3. To make arrangements for the purchase of farmingjmple- 

 ments, sacks and machinery, directly from manufacturers. 

 ~~4. To obtain direct shipments on more favorable terms, and 

 storage at lowexjcuies; drawing upon their products advances 

 at the lowest rates of interest. 



5. To secure the establishment of Grange- stores ; and, 



6. The gradual substitution of the cash for the credit system; 

 and, finally, 



7. The eventual introduction of shipment in bulk. 



The Convention resolved: To labor for the reduction of 

 railroad fares and freights, by using all legitimate means to ob 

 tain the necessary legislation; for the reduction of port charges; 

 for the introduction of European laborers; for an increase of 

 tonnage for &quot;our own purposes;&quot; for irrigation; for the eleva 

 tion and increase of our mechanical industry, all of which work 

 was distributed among proper committees. 



As a record of Grange intelligence, and in order to secure a 

 full expression of feeling upon the methods in which these ob 

 jects were to be carried out, every member of Subordinate 

 Granges was invited to present a concisely written plan, to be 

 classified and kept as a State Book of Plans. 



It was also resolved to offer two premiums for the best plan 

 for a general system of cooperation. 



The election of officers resulted as follows: J. W. A. Wright, 

 Master; J. M. Hamilton, Overseer; Thos. H. Merry, Lecturer; 

 N. L. Allen, Steward; &quot;W. M. Jackson, Assistant Steward; &quot;W. 



