state Convention—are we consistent? 227 
lies, you must not let them know where or when you intended to 
strike. 
Mr. Robbins said that farmers who owned large farms were the 
worst kind of monopolists, and admitted that he was one, that he 
had more land than he could cultivate, but that by good manage¬ 
ment, care and labor,—such as had to be given to all avocations 
if successful,—he had made money farming. 
Adjourned until 2 P. M. 
Afternoon Session. 
Convention met at 2 P. M. Secretary Field in the chair. 
Col. Warner moved that a committee of five be appointed by 
the chair on resolutions, which was agreed to, and Col. C. E. War¬ 
ner of Dane, R. J. Burdge of Rock, V. S. Hollister of Walworth, 
Eli Sherman of Columbia, and W. M. Dixon of Fond du Lac, were 
appointed. 
Secretary Field read a short paper upon the subject, “ Are we 
Consistent,” by Mrs. P. Putnam of Dodges Corners. 
This paper contained many good thoughts and suggestions, but 
was mainly devoted to a criticism of the rule adopted by the 
Patrons of Husbandry admitting girls to their order at the age of 
sixteen, and excluding boys until eighteen. “This institution/ 7 
she said, “ had been created for the especial benefit of the farming 
classes and with the utmost apparent sincerity.” “Then is it 
/ 
important to enquire why this discrimination.” She thought if 
young ladies could be benefitted at the age of sixteen, young 
gentlemen who were their seniors would be proper companions, 
especially their brothers; but if they accompanied them to the 
grange meeting, they could not be admitted, and hence must 
find entertainment in the hotel or saloon with vice and immor¬ 
ality staring them in the face, and where they were continually 
breathing a debasing and demoralizing atmosphere. She would 
not deprive the girls of sixteen of those social and educational 
privileges, but she would most respectfully suggest and urge 
upon those exercising power in these orders to give like oppor¬ 
tunities to boys of the same age, that all may have the benefits 
and enjoy the pleasure and blessings which the institution can 
bestow. 
