THE FARMER'S WAR AGAINST MONOPOLIES. 423 



of a local Grange are thirteen in number, and are elected 

 annually. Nine are men, and four women. The 

 male officers are a Master, Overseer, Lecturer, Steward, 

 Assistant Steward, Chaplain, Treasurer, Secretary, and 

 Gate-keeper. The female officers are Ceres, Pomona, 

 Flora, and Lady Assistant Steward. The officers of 

 the State and National Grange are the same in number 

 and title. 



The State Grange consists of the Masters and Past 

 Masters (or Masters who have passed out of office) of the 

 local Granges. As there must be twelve officers in the 

 State Grange, the Constitution requires that there shall 

 be fifteen local Granges in each State before a State 

 Grange can be organized. 



The National Grange is composed of the Masters and 

 Past Masters of the State Granges. 



The local Granges are required to meet once a month, 

 but are permitted to hold as many intermediate meet- 

 ings as they may deem necessary. The State Granges 

 and the National Grange meet annually, at such times 

 and places as they may appoint. 



No one but a person of good moral character can be- 

 come a member of the Order. Idlers and disreputable 

 persons have no place in it. No religious or political 

 test is demanded. Individual opinions are respected 

 and tolerated to the fullest degree ; and no discussions 

 upon religious or political questions are allowed at the 

 meetings of the Granges. 



The Order is a secret society, as has been stated. Its 

 proceedings are secret, and none but members are ad- 

 mitted to its meetings. Several degrees are included in 

 the organization, for each of which there is a beautiful 

 and appropriate ritual. 



