The New York Herald Newspaper, August 11, 1873, Page 3

‘ "FARMERS? GRANGES, The Origin, Aims, Organization ahd Strength of the Mevement.- HOW IT BEGAN. A Visit to the Headquarters of the Order. AN INSTRUCTIVE INTERVIEW. ‘Mr, Sanderson, a Hard-Headed Scotch Granger, Rises to Explain. BUSINESS, NOT POLITICS, THE OBJECT. The Number of Granges, 5,147, and Members, 300,000. CASH THE TALISMAN OF THE ORDER. Oo-operative Stores and Agricultural Societies No Remedy for Far- mers’ Grievances, The Success of the Movement Assured. An Official Declaration That Politics is the Handmaid of the Devil. WASHINGTON, August 9, 1873, Can any good come out of Washington? That is ® question hard to answer creditably in the nation’s Capital. This city has been abused by people with- in and without, until the taint of corruption or bad morals is supposed to infect every deed and exis- tence within its boundary. Old Parson Brownlow ‘sed to say that whenever he approached Wash- Angton there came over him a strong propensity to Steal something, which was generally accepted as @ response magnetic to his ruling passion. These thoughts were suggested by the rapid strides which the order of Patrons of Husbandry has made throughout the country within the last seven months, and which organization has givense much momentum to the so-called farmers’ movement in the West and Northwest. In looking over agricultural papers one would suppose the granges had come down from another century instead of scarcely having been released Jrom swaddling clothes, And it was in this con- ‘ection that it occurred to me that A HISTORY OF THE ORIGIN OF THE ORDER, as wellas its present status, would, perhaps, do wemething toward redeeming this city from its bad reputation, you know; for here the order was conceived and brought forth until it has become a Mighty power, working silently, but effectively, in every State where it has taken root. It1s called by some the farmers’ David, destined to plug the giant monopolics which have so long hindered a healthy growth of our agricultural resources, It must be confessed that searching after the mysteries of a secret society, with the mercury agmbitiously rising in the nineties, is by no means Bn easy task, Ihad heard that the office of the Secretary of the National Grange was somewhere in Georgetown, perhaps under the roof of an ancient residence for which tis old burg is famous, Search in that direction proved fruitless, Where the headquarters had been was found to be B pleasant house. Visions of harvesters, mowing Machines, rakes, ploughs, churns, harness and other utensils necessary for a farmer vanished, and 1 was directed to seek for the office on Louisi- Ba avenue, Washington, just above the Pension fice, and what was formerly the Seaton House, A plain three story brick dwelling bad recently been refitted from basement to attic for the accommodation of the wants of the Na- tional Grange. The furniture is plain but substan- tial, while there is an absence of everything that ‘would cause a Solon Shingle to complain of being extravagant. Here I met Mr. 0. H. Keiley, Secre- tary of the National Grange, and was invited to in- Bpect the premises, THE GRANGER’S HEADQUARTERS. His office, on the first Noor, adjoins that of the Jady clerks, three in number, who work regularly eight hours a day for half what the female clerks in the department receive. There was a business gir about the place, yet of the thousands who daily pass this unpretending edifice probably but very few are aware of what is going on within. The rooms im the second story are devoted to the male clerks, the consulting room of the Executive Committee and the packers, employed in filling the orders for Stationery, tracts, pamphlets, manuals, &c, Apart- ments above this floor are reserved for future use, as itis evident more room will soon be needed. In the basement, trom for to ceiling, were tin boxes, used in sending to new granges eopies of the constitution and other papers; manuals piled Up by thousands, innumerable folio tracts on dif- ferent subjects, blank vooks by the cord, boxes of envelopes, reminding one of a wholesale ware- house more than the capacious rooms of an ordi- Bary dwelling, And from what did this origi- Rate, and how has it developed so Tapidiy without the aid of the press? for Buch is the case. One of the leaders told me it was astonishing, the Order had so few friends when it ‘was first proposed. The editors of agricultural papers were naturally sought to present the plan of the Patrons of Husbandry, but invariably the answer was, “It will injure our advertising, and ‘We cannot afford to doit.” About that tithe the benevolent Order of the Knights of Pythias (also originated in Washington) was making great prog- Yess, extending its lodges into every city and town ‘Of importance from Maine to Texas. If I am not Mistaken, the Knights of Pythias and the Patrons ‘Of Husbandry are of about the same age. In fact, among the names originally suggested for the latter were Knights of Husbandry and Knights of the Plow. The press did not appear to aid the knights more than the patrons and yet the former ‘Was moving on with such rapidity that several ‘times the Master of the National Grange was on the point of seeking advice from the knights and if possible get the secret of their success. But he did Hot do so and the order was left to mature in its own time. Looking back to ® FIRST YEAR OF ITS EXISTENCE, ‘when, like John Smith's colony, ail the members Were ofMcenojders, and when there were not even enough to fill the oMices designated in the ritual, econ scarcely realize that the organization of to-day, with its 5,000 granges distributed through- Out the land and a membership of probably not Jess than three hundred thousand persons, is fidentical with that which just six years ago yester- day was shaped in room 45 of ihe United States Hotel, on Pennsylvania avenue. | Propose to give some account of its origin. Mr. 0, H. Kelley, the resent Secretary of the National Grange, and Mr. iliiam Saunders, Superintendent of Gardens and Grounds at the Department of Agriculture, tne first Master of the National Grange and at present chatr- man of the National Executive Committee, divide the honor of starting the movement. Whether Mr. Kelley first suggested the utiltty of such an order or Mr. Saunders first defined it is not mate. Fia.. Between them it was first agitated. Mr. Kelley was clesk in the Post Omce Depart: ment and Mr. Saunders in the rieultu- Fal Department. They presented their ideas to Mr. William M, freiand, then as now chief clerk ‘ef the Finance Ofice, Post OMice Department; Rey, ho Trimble, Jr, Rev. A. B. Grosh and J. R, jompson, These were gentlemen of education, Members of Masonic and other secret orders, and, ‘with their varied experience and views, were en- abled to mould the plan which, with some modifi- Pation, 18 W-day the bagia of tag prder, Acting on NEW YORK HERALD, MONDA portunity of disseminating the plas te. proche r Oo promi iby the < views “of those’ ‘iat neurones ‘with, he. drew ae derstood in presenting the plan of the Grang the country. that ctroular he said the craer was a distinguished agriculturist vwith every that if would become one 0} the mest useiul and powerful organizations in the United States, ITS GRAND onyror \'= Was not only gencrai improvement in husbandry, but to increase the general happiness, wealth ant rosperity of the country. It was founded upon’ ‘he axioms that the products of the soil comprise! the basis of ail wearth; that individual happiness’ depends upon general prosperity, and that the; i wealth of a country depends upon the general in- telligence and men culture of the produci classes, The best mode of securing & diffusion ol knowledge, with a view to its application for the increase of the products of the soll, was, therefore, one of the most important quéstions that could be. propounded, and it was hoped to greatly facili! its solution by the results that would follow the work of this organization, Tne circular continued as follows:— All existing popular modes of creating an interest in agricuitural©and biudrea pursutes have. bebe carerully scanned and studied. Agricultural tairs enlist attention, and, to a certain extent, excite competition, but it is he- Coming 4 matier of bistery that these aswickallons are graduaily losing their infldenee. ‘The novelty and ex- citement of horse-racing, and other means still, less com- mendable, are looked ‘ag essential to their success it not to their very existence. Clubs for mutual instruc- tion and friendly interchange of {deas, seen, also, to lose their interest as soon as the first excitement of organiza- tion is passed. Even fruit growers’ societies, with all their attractions, only enlist a few enthuaiasists, whose eforts are scarcely, felt by the great producing masses of the country. The incentive to the formation of these so- cieties results from the recognition of the well known principle, that unity of action Is necessary to secure suc~ cess, but to encourage and maintain progressive success this unity must be made solid and permanent, not trivial and spasinodic. When we reflect upon the fact that cer- tain associations have stood the test of centurics—aa, for ¢xample, the Masonic Order, we may well pause and dak: pin whai doos thelr permanency consist!” We can fing but one satisfactory answer to this question, and that 13 in their rituals, NITY AND SECRECY, FRATERN MUTUAL BENEFITS. If, then, thesé are the efficient elements of extension, permanvency and success, why employ for the ‘dissemination of usetul ‘knowledge and @ more general and effective organization of communities engaged rural pursuits? And this we propose, not only for the benefit, but also for the increase of national wealth ing failed—why not adopt them? If a secret organi: tion of husbandmen, with an appropriate and impressive ceremony of initiation, will secure fraternity, unity, efficiency, discipline and permanency—as the projectors of Cn ree Belleve--a oy intelligent ee and especia: jose engaged in rural pursuits, will approve and sustain our enterprise, and extend to the Patrons of Husbandry their unqualified pproyal and support. ‘Women are admitted into our order, as well as youn Persons Of both, sexes over the ate of sixtech an eighteen respectively. In its procec & love tor rural lise will be encouraged; the desire for excitement and amusement, co prevalent in youth, will be gratified, instead of being repressed ; not, however, in frivolities as useless tor the future as they are for the present, but by directing attention to the wonder-workings 0! nature, and leading the mind to enjoy and appreciate that never- ending delight which follows useful studies relating to the animal, vegetable and miueral kingdoms. Noung mien are constantly helng attracted to the cities from the country, leaving behind them the most certain sources of comfortable competence, tor precarious competition in channels already overflowing. There are undoubtedly good and sufllcient reasons for this migra- tory tendency—a want of attractions for the mind and the absence of organization in rural pursuits. We solicit the co-operation of woman because of a conviction that Without her aid success will be less certain and decided. Much might be said in thts connection, but every hus- band and brother knows that where he can be accom- panieg by his wife or sister no lessons will be learned ut those of purity and truth. With regard to the MODES OF INSTRUCTION ADOPTED IN THE ORDER mention may be made of the reading of essays and dis- ures, Formation of select libraries, circula- tion of magazines and oth fF Eiplcations treating di- rectly upon the main subjects lesired—namely, those in- Soles Hnaitne principles governing our operations in the field, orchard and garden. The novelty of this organiza- tion and the manner it proposes. of introducing a system of special education bas hitherto prevented the origina- tors from calling public attention to its work; but ere favor with which it has been received prompts to a older action, satisiied that the noble parposes to which the order is dedicated will command the respect and serious attention of all. We ignore all political or re- ligious discussions in the ondary we do et sottt the m or individual upon Patronage of any sect, associat Jects, as already indicated, cation, to elevate and dignity the occupation of the farmer and to protect its members against the numerous combinations by which their interests are injurious, : There {6 no association that 5 amtages to its members as this. he ler of the Patrons of Husbandry will accomplish a thorough and wetematic organization amoug farmers and hordcultu: ralists throughout the United States, and will secure among them intimate social relations'and acquaintance with each other, for the advan their pursuits, with an appr of their true interests. be ‘accomplished that exists through- out the country in all avocatiens, and among all other classes—combined co-operative association for individual improvemert and common beneiit. In the meetings of this order, all but members are excluded, and there is in Its proceedings a symbol- ized ritua!, pleasing. beautiful and appropriate, which is designed not only to charm the fancy but to’ cultivate td enlarge the mind, and purity the heart, having, at the same time, strict adaptal lo rural pursuits. It is an order in which all_persons will find innocent recrea- tion and valuable instruction, pecuniary profit and mu- tual protection, It is, in trath, a need Jong felt, and now required, Mr. SECRRCY OF THE RITUAL and proceedings of the order have been adopted, chiefly, for the purpose or accomplishing desired efliciéncy, ex- tension and unity, and to secure among its members in the internal working of the order, confidence, harmony and security. Aiwoug other advantages which may be derived frou the order, can be mentioned, systematic arrangements tor procuring and disseminating, in the most expeditious inanner, iuformation relative to crops, demand and supply, prices, markets and transportation throughout the country, and for the establishment of depots for the sale of special or general products in the citles; ‘also. for jthe purchase “and exchange | of stock, seeds, and desired varieties of plants and trees, and "for purpose of procuring help at home ot from abroad, and sifuations for persons seeking employ. ment; also for ascertaining and testing the merits of newly invented farming implements and those not in general use, and for detecting and exposing those that mworthy, and for protecting, by all available ans; the farining Interests trom trad and deception of ry kina, In’conclusion, we desire that agricultural societies shall keep step with the music of the age and keep pace , with improvements in the reaping machine and steam engine. In this order we expect to accomplish these results. Every grange is in intimate relation with its neighboring granges, and these with the State Grange andthe State Granges are in unity with the National Grange. Valuable information and benefits enjoyed by one are communicated to all. The old style of farmers’ clubs, like the old sickle and flail, were very good in their day, but they are of the past. and are too far be- hind all other enterprises in the progress ot civilization. Hence the necessity of this new order. This circular fully explains what the object ot the organization was, aud will serve as a guide to those who think they see in this unification of the farmers a political problem which it will be hard to solve. The National Grange was ORGANIZED ON THE EVENING OF DECEMBER & 1867, at the office of Mr. Saunders, on Four anda half street, between Missouri avenue and the old canal, ty the election of the following oflicers:—Master, William Saunders, of District of Coiumbia; Lecturer, J. Thompson, of Vermont; Overseer, Anson _ Bartlet of Ohio; Stew- ard, William Muri, of Missouri; Assistant Steward, A. 8. Moss, of New York; Chaplain, Rev. A. B. Grosh, Pa; Treasurer, Wm. M. Ireland, Pa. ; Secre- tary. O. H. Kelley, Minn.; Gate Keeper, Edward P. Farris, Ill, Several of the persons from the States elected officers were not present, but were elected because of the interest they had manifested in the matter, and with the hope that they wouid serve, It was thought proper to elect the officers for a term of five years, since the majority of them had actively aided in establishing the organization, and having matured their plan of operations de- sired a sufficient time to carry it out in accordance with their own preconceived ideas, Soon after a subordinate (eh bd established in Washington as a school of instruction and to test the efficiency ofthe ritual This grange numbered about sixty members. On the ist of April, 1868, Mr. Kelley accepted the position of travelling agent, at a ry of $2,000 a ear, provided he could make that amount by fees for establishing granges in the States, otherwise no expense incurred was to be borne by the Na- tional Grange. The first dispensation was issued to a subordinate lodge at Harrisburg, Pa., the second to a lodge in Fredonia, N. Y., and the third at Columbus, Ohio. Next came Chicago, and finally Mr. Kelley reachea his home in Minnesota, where he organized 81X granges, so that during the first year only ten granges were in operation, From Washington circulars were sent in every direction setting forth the objects of the order and inviting the co-operation of ali interested in agri- culture, At first it was suggested that only those engaged inthis pursuit should participate in its benefits, but the word “interested”? wag sul stituted so as to bring all within the scope of the organiza- tion. It would not take root. The farmers looked upon it as a new-fangled notion, another patent churn invention, t© be shunned at first men- tion. The secret ritual and hidden wonders could never be tolerated. It was, in fact, a Yankee trick to get money. Myr. Kelley did not prosper on his salary as travelling agent. pee his farm in Minnesota was far more certain than commissions or fees for starting new granges. Occasionally an application would be re- ceived from the required number of persons neces- sary to form a grange. In 1869 39 dispen- gations were issued; in 1870, 38, and in 1871, 125, The existence of 260 subordinate granges encouraged Mr. Kelley to change his headquarters to the District or Columbia, and after residing in this city a few months removed to Georgetown where, until recently, his oMfce nas been located. Last year there were over eleven hundred granges organized. To-day the weekly bulletin of the sec- retary shows the number of granges to be as fol- lows GRANGES IN THE UNITED STATES, + 21 New York 8 Arkani + 6 36, Californias : 80) . 4 9 131 68 3 4 Virginia. 3 West Virginia. 2 Wisconsin. 189 2 n 8 ning of thig year twenty-lve quniications. tate’) day ¥, AUGUST Ul, 1873—WITH SUPPLEMENT, have been received at headquarters for dls- nsations, Nor is there any n of the number lecreas! 80 that by the endof this year the total number of d will not be less organize 000. some idea of the prog- Gl be interesting. circular above quoted presents every feature of the order, the in! otoal and the busin and theoretical in is in_ practice nving the forder, What it can only be ascertained by where the orders exist. is a kind ‘The grange room, it 1s claimed, of moral club room for the enjoyment of both sexes. ‘There is much music in the ritual to enliven the ceremonies, and many of the granges possess libraries for the amusement and instruction of the members, This, it is claimed, naturally has a ten- dency to prevent young: men from teaving rural lle, Where they possess comfortavie competence, ful} for precariou® Sopa in the large cities. ’ Every grange pays into the national trea $15 for a dispensation, receiving in return material which at the lowest figure Cost not less than six dovars, and consisting of sample regalias, manuals,’ song books, blank books, in a word, everything essential to starting the order. Ali the funds are deposited in the Farmers’ Loan and Trust Com- pany, in New York, where, I understand, tnere is to- ‘@ fund of over twenty thousand d ‘3. When filteen subordinate granges are organized ina State authority is granted to organize a State grange, composed of Mmagters of the subordinate grange, who, in turn, elect their master, and he becomes a member of the national grange. ‘The highest organization bears the same relation to the order, that (ag eid does to the States; the State organizauion to the Legisiat and the sub- ordinate granges to counties and municipalities. There 18 also an executive committee, both Nati- oval and State, whose duty tt is to attend to the work assigned them for the general good of the order. Passing cver the social and intellectual features of the order, TUE BUSINESS ASPECTS AND THE PROBABLA EFFECT on the political gon dition of affairg are most warty of attention. In the absence of Mr. Dey, fi Adams, of Waukon, lowa, who is Master of the National Grange, | called on Mr. William Saunders, the Chairman oi the executive committee for the information sought. He fills the honorabie oan tion of Superintendent of Gardens and Grounds at the Agricultural Department. Passing through a neat Hon eae on the north side of the bullding, upabroad smooth concrete walk, which divides the grounds, with here and there elusters of young trees, forming an arboretum of tue haray growth of trees and shrubs from all parts of the world, the visitor enters the most lovely oc flower gardens, after the Italian mode of decorative architecture, the emeraid plat being covered with petunia, ger- anium, verbena aud heliotrope, while the utr is re- dolent with all the perfumes of Arabia. Tho grounds are interspersed with terracot- ta vases filled with foliage plants and pane. vines, To the left is the smithsoulan nstitation, half hidden in @ grove of maples, 1 found Mr, Saunders seated in his ofice, smoking @ pipe and apparently at his ease. On stating my errand I was cordially received and at once made to feel that everything he could do to enlighten me he would most cheeriully do, About the walis of the room were suspended actors ha and rural scenes, while over the desk a bust of Shakspeare rested on an ornamental bracket. Books, papers, a library, desk and plain furniture made up the Sparemaiit, Mr. Saunders is a Scotchman, evidently about tiity years old, with massive head, intellec- tual features, a generous growth of silvery hair, bushy chin whiskers and a ctear, round, biue eye. His physique and good complexion indicate a inan who has taken good care of himself, I should say he would turn 220 pounds, and would not be able to walk uprightly under a door less than six feet high. found him earnest and enthusiastic, appeared to be THE ORGANIZING SPIRIT OF THE ORDER of which he spoke so eloquently. My respect for the man increased when he informed me that jour- naiism had at one time been his employment, and that he had for ten years edited one of our leading agricultural papers. So, whatever may be said against the press tor not encour: the mfant Order of Husbandry, it certainly has a helmsman who knows what the press 18, and it owes some- thing to the disciple he received through this edt im. Having explained the purpose of the visit, I a “fhe Patrons of Husbandry have of late chal- lenged the attention of thoughtful men, and the impression ts that the Order will drift into politics, in spite of the object for which it was started. As the business phage, however, appears so popular, let me ask you to give, first, your views on this Bom and then the probable relation of the Order o PRESENT OR PUTURE PARTY MOVEMENTS.” MR. SAUNDERS said—‘‘] will try to’confine myself tothe subjects you have mentioned, and in the manner suggested, but if 1 digress a littie do not get impatient. 1 know exactly what the HERALD wants, but it Is not so easy a matter to separate the chaff trom the wheat—you see we naturaily adopt the language of agriculturists. What I mean is to discuss the subjects you have sug- gested, without consuming time on the social and intellectual features of the Order. Well, let us consider the business relations of the Order. I have just received a number of papers from differ- ent paris of the West, containing long articles on the progress of the organization. Some of them are leading dailies, others are weekly agricuitu- ral papers. I snould say, if all the articles before me were genefalized, the Substance would bi this:—Beware of money, the root of all evil, an politics, the bandmaid of the devil. You see the farmers have had theireyes opened by the inesti- mable benefits conferred through the granges, and have found out what exorbitant charges they have been compelied to pay the agents, or what we call the middlemen—that 1s, those who, live off the con- sumer or purchaser by handling the goods and in- ventions of the ecaler and manufacturer. When the social feature of the Order was fully developed, every grange wanted a@ piano or a me- lodeon, or parlor organ, or some iastrument with whiLh to accompany the vocalistic part of the pro- gramme. Pass over the number of hands through which @ finished instrument goes before it finally finds a purchaser, and, as everybody knows, the cost 18 double, in some cases treble, what the same instrument could be purchased for for cash at the manufactory. When the granges were rapidly in- creasing the proposition was made to Darckase these instruments direct from the factories, cash to accompany every order. An agent visited a number of the firms, but received at first very little encouragement. Finally a well established house offered to sell on the terms proposed at such a low figure compared with the prices asked by the agents that it was supposed an inferior instrument would be sent. When the agent was satisfied the work would be as perfect in every order filled as though he purchased it from a middleman that informa- tion was commuuicated by confidential circular to the granges, and aljl the master had to do to se- cure the benefit of the arrangement was to for- ward tne cash, with an order signed by the treasurer of the grange and stamped with its seal. So much for that special arrangement, The same thing is done in regard to every other article needed. And let me say now, we DO NOT BELIEVE IN CO-OPERATIVE STORES, and discourage their formation. That is not what we want. it is togive to the farmer the articles necessary for his support, convenience and com- fort without their passing through too many hands, and by that inethod convince him that his remedy for making a market for his produce on the seaboard is not but in ech? the railroads, 1m negotiating with them. Not long ago several of the masters of granges in Iowa called on me, and they were full of the pugilistic spirit. They wanted to fight everybody. advice was, drop the word fight, or rather get rid of the desire to fignt, and try diplomacy. Let ‘‘negotlate’’ be your motto. You can never make anything by fighting an intrenched capitalist. They mitted that might be the best plan, and would try to carry out the suggestion. It would take me longer to ex- plain it than the HERALD readers would care to endure. But they will catch the spirit of my remarks, [am sure. Now, I asked the master, who ‘Was most obstinate, what he expected to gain by persistent and unreasonable opposition to the railroads. “Oh, I sew you are influenced By this national legisiature and the growth of monopolies which are encouraged here in Washington! What answer could I make to a man with suchextreme views? Suppose, I said, ou raise corn worth twenty cents a bushel de- jivered in Dubuque, and that corn when it reaches New York is worth $1. Do you mean to say that after it has been handled, exchanged, bought, sold, transferred, shipped, risks paid, and all the profits divided between your city and the seaboard, you can expect to get a8 muck for itin Dubuque as it sells tor in New York’ That is unreasonabie. He said that view had never occurred to him; but since he had realized the benefits o wee Brned system in ieee bis harvest Tr and reheér al aaated chine Cheaper by dealing direct with the manufacthrer, he thought it the business of the consumers in the cities to look after their end of the middlemen, while the producer took care not to be overtaxed on the articles necessar, for his welfare. Ttell you, the great trouble with the agriculturista in this country has been that they have been isolated. Compelied to work early and late, they have become accustomed to THE EXTORTIONS OF DEALERS. The nearest place of dealing has been the town store, and credit has been their greatest draw- back. Now they have found out how much they can save by paying cash ; and, I tell you, cash 1s king. It was said, you know, at one time, “Cotton is King,” “Oorn is King;"* but_ with basiness people ther is nothing like cash. It makes the factory go, th merchant go, the tradesman go, and it farmer go. Cash is embiazoned 6 banners. You understand we are discussing the business view, and am willing to exhaust your patience if yon find the subject in- teresting. About protective stores, [received a letter to-day from the master of a grange in Ten- nessee, who writes:—"We have Fanon capital with which to start a co-operative store. Please send us your plan.”? My answer was:—“The grange does not encourage co-operative stores, Untti one can be found that has stood the test of twelve years’ business such organizations cannot receive the approbation of the National Executive Com- mittee.” They all run inte ‘ulation, and that is what we want to avoid. received a letter to-day from a wealthy farmer in lilin who sub- scribed originally yee to the ratiroad which runs by his farm, He does not complain that be has not been benefited. His land bas been im- proved in vaiue and he finds a more ready sale for his products. He does complain of this:— He is taxed for carrying the merchant, lawyer and clergymen dead head over the road, who never con- tributed a single cent to the building of the road, and who never pay anything jor freight; while he, who is compelled to pay five cents amile tor a n- mer ticket aud raige for evexy pound of ealgb 3 the all our is really imposed upon for the benefit of so called respectable gentlemen who are credited with in fluence, Again, this co-operation movement, when concentrated in stores, is bound to encourage greed, whereas, if it is confined to direct relations, as by id advice of our confidential circulars, it is im le that any set of men can upon the gran, Take, for instance, this eircular, It is ential, but will give yon an idea of the oper- the grange system in all its relations, This circular was scnt to every over fifty leading merchants asd manana merc! sf who have farnisied ek sal sei A PRICE LIST POR CASH, and by wich ee have agreed to stand provided the purchasers fulfil their-part of the contract. It ig only one of many such, For instance, take the price Oi sates. The ordinary retail price of a safc, Cash will pur-’ weighing 3,000 pounds would be $350, chase that sate in St. Louis for $105, the very same safe the ptanter would pay the agent thé retail rice for. ‘Take sewing maciines, It makes no dif- erence who the patentee or agent is, They go through so many hands, and commissions are so rapidly multiplied that before the machine reaches the purchaser it has increased in value with compound interest. Surely no sensible Mm Will say that a fictitious value adds any nefit to the farmer; yet where does the burden finally fall? On the farmer, who gets less ior his prpancts and is compelled to pay more jor every- hing he buys, Three weeks ago we purchased on @ general order 1,500 sewing machines, at @ cost on each machine of $20 legs than they were furnished the agents. Inless than ten days 965 of the num- ber had been delivered and the price of the balance secured. Take harvesters, for instance. A wanuiacturer in Onio is glad ‘to sell to the granges and has no other customers. Every ma- chine he can turn out brings him in cash at the railroad depot, and as fair a profitas when he was selling them on fime through agents about the South, If any doubt was entertained agaiust THE PERPETUITY OF THE ORDER it was because it would not find favor in the South. It has not grown so extensively iu that section as it would had we been fortunate ta secur- ing deputy masters, whose business it is to go from place to place and explain the objects of the Order, r. D. W. Aixin, of South Carolina, has shown what one man can do who is in earnest. In his State there are to-day 131 granges; North Caro- lina is rapidly increasing; Mississippi has 200; Georgia, 77. Virginia has onlythree, but there are i cul reasons for that. When T say that there not a colored member of a Southern grange, you can readily understand that polities does not enter into it, Take the granges in Soutn Carolina, They represent the weaithy planters, the owners of the farms and plantations, Cotton is still a staple pro- duct, as well as rice, With them it ts an item to get bacon, lard, flour, hams, &c., as cheap as possibie. You will be aurprised, perhap: when 1 tell you that Kensas and lowa granges sel those articles dowa in Charleston at fifteen and twenty percent eleaper than they can be pur- chased in that city, and among the items of course is the cost of freight. When Mr. Shankland—one of the National ixecutive Committee—asked of the general treight agents of the Southern lines whether any reduction could be made in the charges for transporting freight direct from Quincy, St. Louis, Leavenworth and other pomts, he was courteously iniormed that the most favorable rates would be allowed, and in the ab- sence of the president of the connecting road, @ letter promptly conveyed the same information to the agent. Come nearer home. The cotton planters are bound to have bagging and rope. Certain old-fashioned firms, who have annu- ally realized a handsome profit and have done business in New York, sold to their Southern agents and rejoiced in easy wealth, When it was proposed to sell directly to the planter through ap authorized agent for cash these ANCIENT LANDMARKS OF THE CREDIT SYSTEM refused to change their business arrangements, 80 strong was custom and the force of habit. Favor- able arrangements were subsequently made, how- ever, to the great joy of tne cotton factor, who ex- pects a corresponding evidence in the lower price of manufactured cotton. I might go on and elaborate the manner in which the granges have taken right hold of tae pocketbooks of the farmer; but what I have already said ought to satisfy you of the force of the argument first presented. If the farmercan buy the articles he heeds at a great reduction by dealing with the manufacturer direct, may there not be room for improvement among the consumers who do not produce, provided, always, he buys for cash? 1 tell ou that is the talisman of the granges. When large orders are filled and the business man knows there is no risk, he does not include the probable bad debts of the house in the charge made against such a customer. Now let ug take u EB POLITICAL, QUESTION, You see, the South isa much in love with the grange system as the West and North- west. Never mind making too close a comparison atpresent. Bnt look at the table of States. New England has but twenty-five granges, and of these twenty-four are in Vermont. Those granges have been there for some time, while the growth in the leading Western States has been very rapid. Is it ® conflict of interests? It would seem so. Yet politics and political issues, you see, are just as for- eign to the purpose of the Order as theology or astronomy. I have noticed, as I said before, the advice of the newspt = on this point. What good can they do? It is true, the circulation of good agricultural papers is encouraged, but is not the press as poweriul to-day as it was in the last Con- ressional campaign? Will the farmer now be guided by the suggestions of partisan papérs any miore than he was two or three years ago? And what has he to be thankful for? Ifsuch apaper as the New York HERALD could reach the farmers there would be notbing to fear; but now there are 80 many papers anxious to become the organ of the Order, ready to do any- thing to secure favor, that we have been obilged to discountenance this eleventh-hour conversion. Every grange stands on its own merits. The granges of an entire State do the same, and if jowa, With its powerful organizations, sioula drop out to-morrow it would not have, in my opinion, the slightest influence on the welfare of the Order in other States. Tocome directly to the political question: the granges have NOTHING TO DO WITH PLATFORMS OR PARTIES, and,so far as I know, the intelligent leaders in the farmers’ movement have not at- tempted to offer a party measure as a remedy for any evil complained of. The intellectual principle of the Order will set the far- mers to thinking for themselves, and, if they fnd that legislation is at the bottom oi injustice, it will be their own lookout to remedy it. The idea that, any politician governing, guiding or controlling the granges is as absurd to suppose a Southern planter or a Western tarmer can rule the grange in his section of the country. Tne views of the granges are bound tobe as diverse as they are numerous. Whether in a Congressional district convention, a State convention or Say other body composed of entirely the same political element the grangers should see fit to unite on one man, that would be a@ choice for which the Order could be held responsible no more than if a Mason was nominated jor an office who ‘was unpopular among his Masonic brethren. The political puzzle has not reached us yet. I[ think it worries the outsiders only. To 50 back to the re- mark I made in the beginning of the conversation, POLITICS 13 THE HAMDMAID OF THE DEVIL. The politician will promise you everything if you will only support him. He Knows he has nothing of his own to give, while he is invariably on the side of the wealthy, whose servant and slave he is. I do not believe the toilers of the South and West, alter finding so easy @ solution for one-nalf their troubles, will squander the benefits of the granges on buncombe political platforms, Whenjit becomes necessary to invoke the aid of party, the object for which the Order of the Patrons of Husbandry was started, will cease, It has no need of special legislation trom Congress through the recommendntions of any committee appointed to yb yd the question of cheap transportation. Ail it needs 1s to regard the rights of the farmers which are in their own hands, and that they be not imposed upon by those whose hands take not hold of the plough.”” This ended the interview; and, thanking Mr. Saunders for his Kindness, { bade bim good afternoon. MUSICAL AND DRAMATICAL NOTES, Mr. Louis James goes to the Boston Theatre this season. The Royal Marionnettes, announced nearly a year ago as coming to this city, will begin a series of entertainments at Robinson Hallon the 8th of Sep- tember, It is expected that Miss Violetta Colville, who has been studying in Italy for some years, will make her début fir italian oper in this country next year. Mr. Fechter’s famous “sky” has been removed from the Lyceum Theatre, a new stage con- structed and the experiment of lighting the scenes without the aid of the footlights abandoned, The Theatre Comiqne reopens this evening uader the management of Mr. Josh Hart, Among the at- tractions are the Rigi sisters, Betty and Emily, the former of whom will be remembered as one of the many dancers who acquired fame in “The Black crook," ‘The Treasurer of the new Fifth Avenue Theatre, Twenty-eighth street and Broadway, will be Mr. James W. Morrissey, who for so many years held a like position at the Grand Opera House, Mr. Mor- rissey will preside at the box office at the opening of three theatres this season, the Grand Opera House next week, the Broadway the week follow- ing and the Fifth Avenue in October. Mr. Maurice Grau, the young manager, ts rival- ling Mr. Daly in the number of his enterprises. It would be thought he has his hands full with the management of the Satvini Company, but he 1s also interested in the French and English opera com- panies of which Mile, Aimée and Miss Kellogg are to be the respective prime donne, 8 is said that Mr. Santley has been engaged for the English troupe. OOURT OALENDAR—THIS DAY, SUPREME COURT.—Nos. 1, 2, 9, 66, 83, 88, 95, 101, 102, 106, 121, 122, 126, 133, “ios? 1, dat, 148, 150, 152, 154, 165, 167, 109, 17 199, 1) 198) 388) 10g, 166, 169, 178, 185, 188, 189, 190, poreesste grange) the names of CHSARISM. “Why Not Set Up an Empire if the People Say, So?” The Danger to the Republic Not from Grant’s Ambition, bat from King Caucus. (From Harper’s Weekly, August 16.] ‘'Yhe discussion that 1s going on in the newspapers on the subject of General Grant’s second re-elec- tion is at least premature. Barely stx months of his second term have elapsed, It will be extraor- dinary if, during the next three years, men’s minds do not drift into new channels and popular lancy does not crave new idols, Few, indeed, of our Presidents have retained their popularity throughout their first term of office. But two of the six who, before Grant, were re-elected wero ever thought of for a third term. If Mr. Lincoin had lived and carmed into successful effect his scheme of pacification the question might perhaps have arisen in his case. But no one thought of pressing the name of either Madison, or Monroe, or Jackson for third nomination. Indeed, it has come to be almost an axiom in party politics that, in the absence of such extraordinary qualifications as were possessed by Lincoln and Grant, tie weak, est nomination that can be made is that of the President in office, He has not only to contend against the public belief in tne principle of rota- tion in oftice, which may or may not be sound and wise, but is certainly widespread and deep- rooted, but, however he may have administered his office, he must have displeased five professional politicians for one he has gratifed, and he 1s thus certain to encounter a luke warmness, if not an ac- tive hostility, among the chieis of bis party, which more than counterbalances the support he can command from the Custom House, the Post Office and the Internal Revenue Department. On gen- eral principles, then, it is not worth while, at pres- ent, at least, toregard what the newspapers call “Cesarism” asa practical question. But it may Not be wholly frivolous to look at it for a moment a8 a matter of curious speculation, Nothing tn the constitution precludes the re-elec- tion of the same man to the Presidency for an in- definite number of terms. In the original draft of the constitution the President was elected by Con- gress for a term of seven years, and was not re- eligible. Inthe constitution as amended by the Granada Committee, and finally adopted, the Presi- dent is elected by Presidential electors for four years, and his rights as to re-election are tae same as those of other citizens, Washington at the close of his second term apprised his fellow citizens that he “declined to be considered among the number of those out of whom the choice of a Prest- dent was to be made,’? and added that “the acceptance of and continuance in the office have been @ uniform sacrifice of inclination to the opinion of duty.” He evidently considered himself eligible, and had his “inclination”? been different would have seen no objection to a third term. Nor did Mr. Jefferson, when urged to be- come a candidate for the third time by various bodies of citizens and by the Legislatures of Ver- mont, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Mary- land, Virginia and Georgia, He declined partly on the ground of growing infirmities and partly from deference to the example set by Washington. In fact, Mr. Madison's succession had some time be- fore been settled between the President and his supporters. There is nothing in the writings of Jefferson or his contemporaries to show that either he or they thought a third term would bave in volved a violation of the principles of democracy or a menace to republican institutions. So far as the constitution and the opinions of its framers are concerned, then, a third Presidential term seems free from objection. The bugbear called “Ozsarism” is rather a sneer than an argument. If the President can be elected thrice, it is said by the ardent patriots who see a coming Cwsar in General Grant, why not four, five, or six times, or for life? Why not, indeed, if the people say so? If aclear majority of tie people vote to abolish the Republic and set up an empire who shall hinder them? Shall we, then, go into hysterics in advance? If the people choose to- morrow to establish Mormonism or human sacri- fices we don’t see who could say them nay. Yet our wives and children need not distress them- selves quite yet. Before we believe that 40,000,000 of people are going to be false to their traditions and to deny their principles some evidence must be brought. There must be some facts going to show & change of mind, some obvious signs of a distrust im free institutions some well-marked indications of a lean: ‘ing tO monarchy or imperialism. Now, the fact is, there 1s nothing of the kind, Probably there never was atime when the general faith in, our institutions was as firm as it is now, It would certainly require something more than the re-elec- tion of a good magistrate to office to prove its de- cay. But this ghost of Cwsarism has haunted us throughout our brief history. Mr. Jefferson de- tected itin Mr. Adams’ well brushed peruke ana handsome liveries. Freneau’s Gazette discovered it distinctly in Hamilton's sonorous periods and foreign reminiscences. It lurked benind Jack- son's imperious commands. Poor Jenkins has had several glimpses of it on the beach at Long Branch. Washington, with his sterling common sense, used to say that there were not ten men worth listening to in all the country who were in favor of monarchy. If Cesarism was of such mi- nute dimensions then, when the Republic was an experiment, what must its proportions be now, when the United States is one of the great Powers of the world, and all Europe is trying to build on its model? A really serious opjection to the third term plan is the blas it would give to the President’s policy before and during the canvass. It cannot be ex- pected of any President that he should be indiffer- ent to the result of a contest in which he ts the standard bearer of his party. In practice the policy of a President, while running for re-elec- tion, has been too often shaped in order to win votes rather than serve the best interests of the country. His foreign policy is apt to be more aggressive than it would be alter election, Measures of domestic policy are likely to be con- sidered more with a view to their immediate effect upon the minds of the people than in the light of the permanent advantage of the common- wealth. Unpleasant duties are apt to be shirked. Offences committed by popu- lar men controlling votes are frequently over. looked. Acquiescence in the follies of the hour is often feigned. Few Presidents, pending a canvass, would surrender a Mason and Slidell or suppress a Fenian outpreak. Some would even go 80 far as to justify an Ostend mafifesto or the bombardment of Greytown, Hardly any could refuse to reward desertion from the enemy or extraordinary efforts in the ranks with office, These objections, it will be noticed, apply with equal force to a second term as to a third, and in practice a President must have extraordinary claims to have a chance of either, On the other hand, it is hardly possible to exag- gerate the importance to the country of retaining the services of a faithful and experienced magis- trate. The United States have not always been for tunate in their chief rulers, They have discovered that Presidential elections, like marriages, are a lottery. They have sometimes drawn rather queer lots therein. In times past, when the country ‘was smail and isolated from the rest of the worki, these accidents mattered little. Men blushed for the President, and contained their souls in patience till his four years expired. But the progress of events, and our present rank asa first class Power, have changed all this. We cannot afford now to have a blunderer or a blusterer in the Chief Magis- tracy of the Republic, It is vital, essentially vital, that the Presidency should be held by,a safe man. Smati errors and weaknesses we can well over- look and forgive. But we cannot afford to make any more experiments—to elect men to the Presi- dency who may turn ont well, but who, for the sake of personal renown, may involve us in for- eign wars, or rekindle the dying embers of domes- tic strife. We can bear with much for the sake of saeured peace and pafo government, It is hard to 3 way Wnst price we could not anora to pay rtd than elect another Buchanan or Johnson, The Third Term Discussio + {From the New York Tribune, August 9.) To a disinterested and passionless spectator politics and reader of political discassione 1) wonderfa! chattering that has been going on fo several weeks past upon the probabilities of Presi dent Grant's being nominated for @ third term; and in connection therewith what has come to bé called, in the slang that gains such easy currency in politics, “Casarism,” must be infinitely amust ing. Started, we are half inclined to think, by some one who struck upon it in the dearth of toptcd from sheer lack of a subject of interest, or pernapd by some superserviceable supporter of the admine istration who had a keen eye for the main chance and was determined to be first in the field, the jangle over and about it has spread until half thd newspapers in the country have had a hand in it, The question just now seems to be whd began it. On the one hand it is charged that the organs of the administration broached if thus carly with an insidious purpose of familtariz~ ing the people with the idea and gradually paving the way for Ciesarism; on the other hand, the administration organs which have sense enough ta see the effect of it, say the whole business is a con- spiracy of the opposition to drive the republicam party into the renomination of Grant, wuich they are frank to say would be absurd and ridicatous, and would endanger the success of the party. Now the least amusing feature of this contusion of tongues and pens has been the eagerness with which each side charged the other with starting am unpleasant theme, While a very few, and they the most obscure and unin‘uential, of the administra- tion organs, have treated the proposition to re¢ nominate Grant seriously and fallen im with it, the majority have denounced tt a@ an invention of the enemy, intended only to distract and divide the party in power. The opposition meanwhile insist strenuously that’ 16 is only @ premature publication of a deep-laid conspiracy against the liberties or the country and Snother Llustration of the centralizing tendencies, and the imperiaiistic programme of the bold bad men in power, One administration organ says the renomination of Grant would never have beer thought of if the opposition press had not sug- gested it; another says the plot is to force Granv’a renomination “by the same villanous means”? by which it was accomplished before—which means, We suppose, that Grant is to be abused and slan- dered to such an extent that the party will be obliged to renominate and re-elect hi as a cer- tificate of confidence in him; and still another says “the party will nominate and elect him if it pleases” and “ask no odds” of anybody. Some truth and some nonsense in all this. Gen- eral Grant may or may not be a dull, cold-blooded Cesar. He personally has given no signs of it yet, whatever may be the plans of other people for him, He ts pretty much the same as when he waa elected last year, with the same lovo of ease and Tepose, the same distaste for public business and the same readiness to accept What comes. We do not believe he is ® dangerous man in any sucht sense as he has sometimes been represented. He } 1s not a conspirator nor plotter. Whether or not his notions of government and his methods of adv ministration are of evil influence and example and calculated to establish unwholesome and danger- ous habits of political thought and conduct is quite another question, which need not now be discussed. But the fear, if there be any, of his personal ambition leading him to attempt the rdle of Cyesar is, we believe, ground< less, Indeed, it is well enough to remember thaw the danger to free government ts not likely to arise from the ambition of individuals so much as from the slow growth of pernicious systems and the development of mischievous and short-sighted policies, Itig by no means certain that President Grant Will not be renominated for a third term, though it is supremely sitly to undertake to forecast so re- mote anevent. One has only to recail the amaz- ing changes in the standing of prominent poll- ticlaus during the last nine months to be convinced of the uncertainty of political reputations and the futility of conjecture as to the probabilities of con- ventions and campaigns three years away. It takes short time in the rapid whirling of our kaleidoscope to turn everything upside down and bring out new and startling combti- nations. Had the developments of the last session of the last Congress been brought to light one year ago the Presidential election would very likely have resulted differently. What changes, perhaps equally unexpected and strange, the next tnree years have in store for us it is impossible to guess. Ifwe might judge from present indications, we should say not only that President Grant’s re-« Domination is far from impossible, but that it is not entirely out of the range of possibilities that it will be the best nomination practicable for the party, and perhaps for the country. He was nomi- nated last year not because of his special fitness or his success in administration, or, as the nonsense of the campaign ran, on account of his great ser- vices in the war, for which he had not been fully paid, It was simply because no one of the aspirants for the succession felt strong enough then to make a fight for it, and they preferred to give Grant four years more, in which time each hoped to strengthen himself sufficiently to go into the next convention with a hopeful backing. There has been something of a fatality among statesmen since then. The list of aspirants has been some- what thinned by Crédit Mobilier exposures and back-pay follies, The conditions now are pretty much the same as those which last year forced the renomination at Philadelphia, but no one knows how long they will continue. Meantime itis to be observed that, while there isa great show of virtue over the back-pay business in indignant resolutions of State conventions and warm denunciations by party organs on all sides, there is a marked tender- ness toward the President, who is the chief sinner in the matter. No one denounces him by reselu- tion or otherwise, We apprehend no danger from Cresarism, Our peril is not, we repeat, from any one man’s ambi- tion. It comes rather from the disposition to en- throne the caucus and make the party supreme. ‘That done and the party ruled, as is possible, by gang of unprincipled demagogues, and we shall have not, perhaps, Owsarism, but something inf- nitely worse. ART MATTERS. Novelties at Schaus’, It is hardly time as yet to expect any very great humber of novelties in the art stores. More than one of the picture dealers, who have things which are both good and new, keep them astutely stored away until such time asa full city anda stimalated public taste shall remind them that the hour for appreciation has returned. At Schans’, No, 749 Broadway, several fresh works, worth at- tentive consideration, are on hand. One of these is an allegorical subject, by Landseer, entitled “The Font,” and executed for Queen Victoria. A number of sheep and lambs are repre- sented supporting @ font, upon which appears a figure of the Saviour’s head, and above which hover two doves. “Great Expectation” is after Lejeune, and ts both simple and sweet. It repre- sents a boy fishing, intently watched by several other children. The varieties of expression em- braced in the gamut of admiration are nit of with great felicity.. “Romeo and Juliet,” after F. F. Dicker, ana “Music Hath Charms,” after Thomas Faed, are also among the novelties, and have, not undeservedly, attracted & great deal of favorable comment. At an Le when almost every studio is vacant, when the fuction centres are closed and when pi = dealers generally are in a state of + tes physical supineness, it is refreshing tee ee “there is at least one place tn the city whe: ties are to be seen. BOARDING HOUSE RUNNERS IN A TRAP, On Saturday morning three runners, named Pete? Lee, Aloysius Christern and Peter Feltman, hailing from 69 West street, New York, were arrested by Officers Hanrahan and Aldoretta, in Hoboken, mpting to take men irom an Italian ae bg tream. ‘The sailors bad been’ favre, and this must have been telegraphed to the boarding house. The accused were ug before the Recorder, who fined them $25 each. They had already succeeded in getting one seaman away fram the vessel. When discl they . cag back to New York in the rowboat Sapphe,