Indiana State Sentinel, Volume 23, Number 30, Indianapolis, Marion County, 10 February 1874 — Page 8

THE INDIANA STATE SENTINEL, TUESDAY, FEBRUATIY 10, 1874.

THE NATIONAL GRANGE. THE MEETING IN ST. LOUIS. "WHAT HAS BEEN DONE ADDRESS OF THR " GRAND MASTER HIS VIEWS ON TRANSPOR- . TATION. On Wednesday the National Grange nvened in St. Louis. The day of the opening the St. Louis Globe had this interesting preliminary sketch: As an " assemblage of representative men and women, they will make a most creditable appearance, Mr. Dudley W. Adams, Grand Master cf the National Grange, Is a good looking man of thirty-five, with fine, expressive features, lull beard and bushy, brown hair, lie has no objection to saying anything about the National Grange, and its prospective proceedings that it would be advisable to communicate to the public. A reporter ol the Globe asked him yesterlav, in regard to the objects of the meeting, and whether the question of open organization was likely to come up in any definite shape, lie said that it might possibly come up lor argument, but he did not think there -was any probability that the order was ready to throw off the veil of secrecy. In secrecy consisted the great charm and attraction of the organization. It had been one great reason ot i:s success; why, he was hardly able to say. He had not heard one person as yet speak in favor of open organisation. When asked how the Patrons could become influential in politics under their present rules, he said that they were not a political order, and did not expect to participate in politics in an organic way. Tbev were united tor other pnrpo-s es" lie to'ldwbat they had accomplished in Iowa by what may be called moral means, that is the indirect and personal influence of the order on conventions, and the Legislature, the last body being pledged to grant them such easement as they wanted in the matter ol railroad oppression. BASH OF MEMBERSHIP. Mr. Adams seemed to think that a question of greater perplexity was likely to arise . respecting the basis of admission to the Order, which is at present fouud in article 5 of the cocstitutio'n which reads as follows: Any person interested in agricultural pursuits, of the age of sixteen years (female), and eighteen years (male), duly proposed, elected and complying with the rules and regulations of the Order, is entitled to membership and the benefit of the de.?res taken.

Every application must be accompanied by J the fee or meuaaersnip. n rejectee, me money will be refunded. Applications must be certified by members, and balloted for at a subsequent meeting. The trouble is in the proper interpretation ol the words "interested in agricultural pursuits," many persons being interested in ag ricultural pursuits wno are not iarmers. in the west nearly all the Patrons are directly interested in the tilling of the soil, excep't in the cities, towns and villages. The Chicago grange was formed some time ago by Kelley, and its membership is not perfectly satisfactory to the rural granges. The granges in St. Louis and Cincinnati are made up In a similar manner. Many editors of village papers in Iowa are said to be patrons. In the eastern states there are few subordinate granges that have not in them persons who are not agriculturists in the 6trict sense of the term. This is one of the great problems to be solved. Mr. Adams says that the woids of the constitution cannot be changed except by consent of the state granges, and that a 11 that the national graDge can do in the premises is to properly interpret the words quoted above. The matter of the Boston Grange, he says, is also likely to come up in this connection. This was organized by Mr. Abbott, who gave the usual "dispensation," which was afterwards taken from it by Mr. Adarns, the executive committee so advising. Mr. Adams says that everything is progressin? well as regards co-operation, and he thinks that the plans of the patrons in respect to that portion of their business will prove successful. THE GRAND MASTER'S ADDRESS. A full exposition his views on TRANSPORTATION TUE BOSTON GRANGE THE NATIONAL ORANGE. At the first day's session Grand Master Adams delivered the following address: Brotfers and Sisters of the National Grange; .The work o the national grange for the past year has been almost exclusively one of organization. In this direction its success has been such as to excite the constant won der ot even its own members, while those outside the gates have beheld . our growth witn undisguised amazement. At our last state granges, having under their jurisdiction about 1,300 subordinate Granges. Today there are state granges in thirty-two states, two territories, and the province of Quebec, in tne Dominion or Canada, all of which are to-day present through their chosen representatives, and claim under their jurisdiction nearly 12,000 saDormnaie granges in America. The causes which have led to the great uprising, which have rendered the work of organization possible, and even easy, are few but grave, and mainly of a nature never contemplated by the originators ot the order. In this inception it was intended to be chiefly a social and educational institution, something after the nature of farmers' clubs, only more comprehensive in its plan, including both sexes, and rendered more attractive by a pleasing ritual and the subtle charm of secrecy. It was to bring together at frequent and stated , periods the agricultural population, to interchange views, discuss agricultural, literary and scientific questions, and cultivate the social amenities of civilized life. In short, it was intended to improve the standing of the tillers of the soil, mentally, morally, and socially. As such it has been and is being a most magnificent success. Though some other features, which have been engrafted on the present stock at a later day have occupied a more prominent place in the eye of the public than this, yet it cannot be denied that none are of equal importance to the permanent welfare of the order and its members, for, really, moral worth, mental power, and social culture lie at the foundation cf all real progress . There is danger that, in grappling with the gigantic questions of the hour, we may lose sight ot THE ROCK OS WHICH WK BUILDED. "When the first subordinate granges had been organized, one of the first and most proper subjects for discussion was, how to make two blades of grass grow where one grew before. During these discussions the Tact soon became prominent that how to sell crops was fully as knotty a question as how to grow them. It came to the conviction of members that we received 60 cents for a busbei of wheat, while the man who ate it paid -f 1.20 for it. We were selling corn at 20 cents per bushel, while the consumer was paying 60 cents for it. In what we bought there was the same discrepancy between first cost and what we were obliged to pay. For mowers, sewing-machines, plows, musical instruments, etc, we were paying from 30 tö 200 per cent, above the original cost. We asked ourselves whether this amazing diflerence was a neessity, or the result ol circumstances over which we had control. The solution of tffl problem soon became a leading idea in the ordf-r. Subordinate granges, county councils, and state granges have given this ,'ono point more thought and attention than iernai'3 any othsr, and I am happy to know thft RttthJ..-tory progress has been made million cf do! Urs saved to the members of z.Zzz - z-1 um iLe. catlcci is, that 7. ere

are as yet only on the tbreshhold of this great work. Almost .universally we find manufacturers and consumers equally anxious to be relieved of so much as is possible of the loss in transit occasioned by a surplus of middlemen. Most ot tbose manufacturers of small agricultural implements have been found ready to sell direct to granges at wholesale rates. With the manufacturers ol reapers and mowers tin case has been different, not that they were unwilling to do so from any principle or prejudice, but no one state was strong enough to show them that they could offer a more certain market for their wares than could be obtained through their present system of agencies. Iti such cases as these it is the duty of the national to lend its aid to the state granges, or by itself grapple with the difficulty. The subject of co-operative stores is one in which subordinate grangei have manifested much interest, but the want of definite information as to the niost'apnroved and successful plan for conducting them has prevented their general establishment, I am of opinion that the National Grange should propose a careful and elaborate plan for such stores, using therefor the abundant materials which the experience ot the Rochdale and other societies afford. This would be hailed with delight by thousands of Patrons who are now grouping in the dark. TRANSPORTATION of farm products to market is aa outgrowth of and properly a part of the same question, and apart which has laid hold on the conscience of our peopleJn a country of magnificent distances, the transportation of heavy farm products by wagons to market is, of course, out of the question. Railroads are a necessity of the times and circumstances. Fully recognizing this, the government has kindly fostered and liberally subsidized them. The people have heavily taxed themselves to aid in their construction, expecting sub stantial benefits In re. urn. While we readily assent to the proposition that railroads, even as now, conducted, add immensely to the development of the country and the convenience of the people; still, in our inmost soul, we feel deeply wronged at the return made for the kiru and liberal spirit we have shown them. Rates ot freight are often exorbitantly high and frequently changed. OKeu a larger bill is charged for a short distance than a long one, thus discriminating against places, and often higher rates are charged one individual than another, thus discriminating against persons. When we plant a crop we can only guess what it will cost to

send it to market, for we are the slaves of those whom we created. W hat shall be the remedy? Where lies the difficulty? For even in our own ranks there is a babel of opinion. Some advocate new routes east, subsidized by government, either rail or canal: others would have new roads made by private enterprise and trust to competition. Tne first of these would require many years i . l , i l 1. 15 -1 oeiore mey can anora tne reuei wnicu we want now: and besides, will surely develop into other credit mobiliers. The second will only add one more link to the chain which now binds us hand and foot. I see o solution for this question but for congress to avail itself of its constitutional right to reg ulate commerce between the states, and for the states themselves to regulate the tariffs within their own boundaries. That tms right is vestod in the government of the states and nation seems wholly clear. When a railroad is to be built, the line of which crosses my private property, and I do not wish to have this property mutilated, I frankly so iniorm the railroad. Government 'now steps in and very properly says : " This railroad is for the development of the State, and on the ground that the public good demands its construction, you must sell them your right of way, and we will allow you a reasonable compensation therefor." Now, it seems clear to me that the same government which can take my land for the public good, and fix the price therefor, can say to this raiiroad : " The public good demands that you carry freights and persons at reasonable rates, which you .henceforth must do, and we will decide what tbose rates shall be," As well as any one I fully appreciate the difficulties which are in the way of a traffic fixed by law I can easily see where it may sometimes work hardship and even actual wrong. But it is amazing, it seems to me preposterous, that disinterested men are not as competent as those interested to fix rates whicb shall be just to the railroads and the people. To rely on competition lor relief will only bring renewed disappointment. Our past history shows that the rapid in crease of railroads has only resulted in more gigantic combinations. It will docbtless be difficult to induce ournational legislature and most of our state legislatures to pass any such law which will be efficient, for there is no money in it. ite proposition which will be most likely to meet with favor in those august bodies will be the building oi new railroads, or aiggtng vast canals, which will allow them the oDnortunitv to spend 150,000,000 or 1100,000,000, which we wi'i at last nave THE PRODUCER'S PRIVILEGE OK PAYING. wncn sucn amounts as tnat are to be expended, it is easy to advance a class of arguments which usually carry conviction to the legislators. Besides those artificial highways nature has placed a most magnincent river ngnt tnrough the heart of the agricultural region of our country, reaching from the wheat fields of Minnesota to the sugar plantations of Louisiana, which, with a small expenditure, can be made capable of bearing on its bosom the products of a continent. Even now a single rapids, a sand bar, and a most heartless towboat ring are all that seriously impede its navigation. Matters of such importance as thoso should receive at your nand most most patient investigation and careful consideration. The clause of Art. 5 of our constitution which reads, "Any person interested in agricultural pursuits," is capable of such -varied construction that much confusion and misunderstanding has resulted. During the Infancy, of the Order, when members were few, our strength puny, and our chief aim simply social and educational, there was little danger in constructing this clause liberally and admitting nearly all who would pay the fee and consent to join such a weak and unpopular institution. But now all these circum stances are changed. To be a Patron of Husbandry is no longer of doubtful propriety, but the proudest in the land are knocking at our doors. The order has become recognized as one of the great powers in the land, and the gates are besieged from ocean to ocean, by hordes of speculators, demagogues, small politicians, grain-buyers, cotton 'factors, lawyers, wh suddenly discover that they are interested in M agricultural ftursuits' but only as a hawk is interested n the sparrow. You would do well to give this matter a most careful review, ana by law, determine the proper construction of the constitution, so we may be able to keep our gates closed against those whose only interest consists In what they can make out of us. To have such admitted to our counsels can only result in evil and sow seeds of internal strife. Article twelve also demands most serious consideration to definitely decide what interpretation shall be put upon the word political. I am gratified that our members are substantially a unit In the opinion that the order should not in any sense become political party. But at the same time, these are questions most fundamentally affecting our material ' interests, which can only , be reached through legislation. It seeias imperative that sr.ch questions be discussed in the grange. Shall It be ruled that such questions were political in the meaning of the constitution. The questions of transportation, taxation,

" lmca-jr, crist.ca la, pic:, vu.v

such as come home to the conscience and pockets of our members, and they wish to know whether they will be denied the privilege ot canvassing them on the ground of politics. This bodv should clearly set forth

an autnoritive interpretation lor tne guidance ot members. I would call your attention to article three of the by-laws, which seems to conflict with our constitution which decides who shall be members of the national gran ge. Article 10, section 1, by-laws, should be so amended as to include the secretary, and I would suggest the propriety of iixing their compensation at the commencement instead of the close of the year. . THE SESSIONS OF THE NATIONAL ORANGEREPORTS OF TIIE COMMITTEES CHARLESTONTHOSEN AS THE PLACE FOR HOLDING THE NEXT MEETING. St. Lons, Feb. C The National Grange held two sessions to-day. The following is the official abstract of the proceedings: A telegram was received from Secretary Coffey of the Stote Grange of Missouri, stating that there are 1,600. subordinate Granges in this state. The commit tee on the good of the order made a partial report, one of the points of which is that the conscitgtion and bv-laws of the next Grange be printed in all languages as may be directed by the executive committee. A call of states was then made to give each an opportunity to present what business they desired to have acted upon. Muster Smith of Georgia, presented some amendments to the constitution. Referred to the committer on constitution and by-laws. Master Smedly, of Iowa, presented suggestions regarding the business of organization and made a statement regarding a contract for the Warner harvester for Iowa and all other states and also an arrangement was entered into by its executive committee of Iowa for a seeder whicn will also sow cotton seed. Referred to the executive committe. Master Davie, of Kentucky, also presented the constitutional amendments. Master Moore, of Maryland, offered a resolution a special order to confer the sixth degree, and Saturdrp night was set for the ceremony, presented constitutional amendments. Referred. An invitation was received asking the grange to visit the Merchants Exchange In a body, which was accepted, and a time fixed hereafter. Master Aiken, of South Carolina, presented a petition from Ihe granges of Canada, asking for a dispensation to receive the 6th and 7th degrees, and establish a Dominion grange. Brother Taylor stated that Charleston, S. C.t had been unani mously selected the catton states " 'the most desirable place to hold the next annual meeting of the National Grangei and n motion Charleston was chosen unanimously as the next place of meeting amid great ap plause. Brother Taylor, Tn the name ol South Carolina and all the states of the South, returned thanks for the unanimous vote, and assured the members that no efforts would be spared by i8 citizens of Charleston to make their visit to- that city pleasant and the sessia of the grange agreeable. On motion, Br ther Thompson, ex-rypreaentative of Cact da, was invited to report the condition aad wants of the order in the dominion. Mr. Thompson said they had ten live granges, numbering over one hundred members; that they wanted to establish a dominion grange, so as to have under their control a fixed headquarters, and theii most earnest desire was 'to see the organization become international in character. A committee of five was appointed to whom all resolutions are to be referred, and the committee instructed to report on the last day of the session. The following compose the committee : Wardlow, of Florida; Hamilton, of California; Jones, of Arkansas; Maxwell, of Tennessee; Hinckly, of New York. Several standing committees were appointed, -who will consider the various matters presented for the welfare of the order and report hereafter. THE BOSTON GRANGE. I am gratified to be able to say that generally I have met with most cordial co-opera-tiöii of the officers and members, thus lightening a woii1 which would haye otherwise been herculean. I feel it my duly, however, to call yosr attention to one painful exception in the case of the Boston grange. A grange was organized last snmmer in the city ot Boston, Massa., by Deputy Abbott, composed of a class commonly known as middle men, in direct violation ot his instructions. . This is a class of members never contemplated by the constitution. At the request ot numerous members of the national grange, and two members of the executive committee (the other member, Mr. Saunders, being sick), the master of the national grange recalled the dispensation of Boston grange, and directed its return to Deputy Abbott. They refused to obey this demand, and have continued to work as a grange; thus proving themselves a revolutionary and dangerous element. The master of the Massachusetts State grange has countenanced and sustained their conduct by directing the installation of their new officers and investing them with the annual word for 1S74. Unless such defiance of authority is properly rebuked and punished, your executive officers will be powerless in the future, and an anarchy will reign in the order. I .have to congratulate thenational grange on the prosperous condition of our treasury, as will appear from the reports of the proper officers. The fund at the command of this body is ample to meet current expenses and leave a handsome surplus. Though this sum seems large, yet it amounts to less than a half dime from each member, and it is not a burdensome tax. It will devolve upon us to use this capital in a manner which shall fully justify the members who have placed it in trust in our hands. We cannot be too careful in its expenditure, that it be wisely and economi -cally done. Though our people indeed, the whole people of the landdesire that laborers in every field receive a full compensation for service rendered, yet they are In no humor for paying extravagant salaries, either in congress or out, and most emphatically condemn it in the highest place as well as the lowest. All accounts should be most carefully scrutinized, and no Credit Mobilier allowed to creep in our ranks. Brothers and sisters, the future progress, preservation, and usefulness of our order depend largely upon our action at this session; without doubt, tbia is the most important meeting of agriculturists ever held in any land. The responsibility resting upon us is enormous. The whole country, both within and without the gates, is searchingly watching our every act the enemy to find a weak point to attack, our friends hoping and expecting much good to result. The agriculturists of the nation are now on trial. The order ot Patrons of Husbandry has brought them together in counsel, and it remains for our acts to prove whether we have administrative, executive, and business caFiacity equal to the occasion. With patience n investigation, wisdom in enactment, firmness in execution, and justice in all and to all, we may place our order on an enduring basis, and confidently look to the future in tne just expectation of seeing the agriculturalists of the country intelligent, happy, prosperous, powerful, drawn together by a silken band encircling the whole land, and permeated all through with the kindest sentiments of fraternity. WHAT IS BEING DONE. THE WORK OF THE SESSION. The Chicago Tribune special says of the work on the second day, lb ursd ay t "The actual business of the day amou rU to little, so far aa the public is irmoerned. Not one m . i . - ,i..r. i i ! i i

The reporters have been a great annoyance to the patrons, who are little accustomed to such inflictions, and they have gl6aned little. The report of the executive committee will be given out to-morrow. The personel of the grand masters pleases most of those with . whom they come in contact, though there aie some exceptions. Mr. Kelly, the Secretary, is rather free of speech, and contemptuous in regard to the, world at large. He says that they are not working for the good of .the public, but lor the good of . the graogo. Xo new light has been shed on the topics to be discussed, but it is quite apparent that a difference of opinion will be developed on several points before adjournment. Members 6ay there is work enough for three weeks, though few can stay longer than one. It has Jbeen decided by the state agents of the order now here to leave the question of co-operation entirely to the national Grange, with the view of having a constitutional provision made for it. This will defer the settlement of the matter until next year, as an amendment to the constitution must be ratified by two-thirds of the state granges before it can take effect. The national grange appropriated $3.000 to the state grange of Iowa, in consideration of the great expense incurred by that grange in relieving the wants of distressed brethren in northwestern Iowa. Appropriations of $1,000 to Minnesota and $750 to Dakota were also made. WHY THE CATHOLIC -CHURCH CANNOT NOW SANCTION THE MOVEMENT.

Says the San Francisco Chronicle: The Chronicle resolved, some time ago, to pro cure for its readers the best possible infor mation upon the subject, and to that end one of its representatives called upon Archbishop Alemany, the highest Roman Ca tholic authority in the state, and laid the matter before him. The archbishop, remarking that he appreciated the importance of the issues involved, requested to be furnished with data from which he could obtain a knowledge of the position, aims and workings ot the Patrons of Husbandry. Th constitution and by-laws of the society and other documents bearing upon the matter were sent to his Grace some three weeks ago, and last evening the reporter called at the residence of the clergy on California street, to receive the important opinion. The reporter opened the subject anew by saying: "Your Grace, I have called, as you are doubtless aware, to ask whether, after having examined the constitution, by-laws andother publications of the Patrons of Husbandry, you are prepared to say whether a Catholic will have the sanction of his church in joining the order?' The Archbishop I have given the matter a great deal of consideration, and have not yet made up my mind about it. Reporter vv hen do you think you will be able to come to some conclusion? The Archbishop Not yet. It may be six months; it may be twelve months. Reporter In the meantime, should a Catholic think of joining the order, and ask your advice about it, what would you say to him? The Archbishop I should advise him not to join it. Reporter Then, so far as you have investigated, you disapprove of the order? The Archbishop No, I have not said that. I cannot say that I disapprove of any of its objects or of its proceedings. Reporter Then what is the difficulty? Why do you hesitate to sanction it? The Archbishop Because I am not yet certain what the order may become. It may not be objectionable now, but it may be hereafter. It already shows an inclination to branch out and include other organizations. Now, I do not know what organizations It may receive; or how its principles may be modified. It is still in a transition state and it is because it is in that state that we cannot sanction it, while we do not express disapproval of it. Reporter Its being a secret society is an objection at the outset, I suppose. The, Catholic church is understood to be opposed to secret societies. The Archbishop Not as secret societies, but because the members of some of them have, to take upon themselves obligations contrary to charity and Christianity. Reporter The Catholic church is opposed to Freemasonry; now I have not heard that any of its imposed obligations are contrary to charity and Christianity. The Archoishop Not so far as yom know, perhaps ; not so far as thousands and thousands know, but we .know that in the high degrees the members have to take the obligations which are contrary to true charity, and would crush Christianity. Now the church is in favor of all that is charitable and is opposed to all that is uncharitable; for that reason she is opposed to monopolies and all other forms of oppression. There is much that is good in the principles, of the Grangers, but how much of evil may find its way in and I. fear some may I do not know. , , . . Reporter Supposing that you finally decide that a catholic should not join the patrons of husbandry, and another Archbishop decide that he may, how will the difference be reconciled? . The Archbishop It would go to Rome. Id fact, the whole subject will probably be thoroughly investigated in Rome, and aeonelusion reached there which will be final. Reporter I have understood you to say, then, that a Catholic should not join a Grange? . The Archbishop Yes, not because we disapprove of the order, I want you to particularly understand that; but because we do not yet "know what the order will become, and might have to withdraw our countenance from it, even if we did approve it now. The interview then terminated, so far as the matter of the Patrons of Husbandry was concerned. One man's taste. Somebody sends this communication to the New York Sun. Hear him : "Having had my attention drawn to an article in a recent number of the Catholic World, in which incidental reference to the rat, as an article of tood,was made.and which, without straining its meaning, might easily be construed as deprecating tne use of it, "I was somewhat surprised that writers usually so well informed upon general topics should know so little of the great changes which have taken place in this country on the subject of diet. Not many years ago It would be difficult to find persons who wpuld acknowledge that they regarded frogs as choice morceaux, which are now to be found for sale in all the markets. In like manner rata, which have long been looked upon with disgust by all manner of people, now form no inconsiderable source of revenue to those who cater to the public taste. It would perhaps be difficult to assign any reason other than that of popular prejudice, for not employing this animal as an article of daily consumption, and it may surprise many to know that there are at present restaurants in this cityjwhich make this viand a specialty. Having spent some years at the East, chiefly in China, I acquired a taste for this species of food, the flavor of which I was assured was, and ' found to be superior to that of any meat that could be procured. Nay, I may safely affirm that not even the finest porter house." when "done" to that degree of perfection for which many of our restauranteurs are famous, can equal that of a rat when properly cooked. At the present time, when any planthat would tend to increase our food production would be' bailed with kv bv rich and poor, it is a matter for regret that such an article of diet, which needa but to be once used to.be appvociated, should lwneglwfted because of an unreasonabl pryu.1icH.. :.-. - IIodexs. Jäjmey City, Jan. Si.

A SOUTHERN SCENE.

THE LAND OF THE ORANGE GRGVE. EIGHTY DEGREES IN THE SHADE AN HOUR IN A FRAGRANT RETREAT SCENE ON A FLORIDA RIVER ENTERTAINING LETTER FROH AN INDIAN APOLITAN AMONG THE LAGOONS. Palatka, Fla., Feb. 3. . From a Special Correspondent of tne ben Unci Sir: The thermometer for the past lew days has maintained itself persistently at 80 o in the shade, and we persons of polar reminiscence began to grumble about the heat. We threw aside our paper collars : the starch was taken cut of linen before nine o'clock A. M.. and we were fain to seek that retreat where the fragrant mint mingles its cooling oder with ice, lemons, claret, sher ry, and occasional cereal extracts denominated here -'Old Black Crow," "Tar and Feathers," etc To change this scene. I sought an orange grove which is con stantly before our eye, more than a mile away, across the St. Johns. I charter a small boat and an intelligent African for 75 cants per hour, and we strike out boldly to cross the deep, smooth river. Great fish now and the n jump almost into the boat; wild docks swim before us, tantalizing ns that we left our gun at home; fish eagles and vultures hang in the heavy air overhead, ready at any moment to pounce upon living fish, or dead ones. In fifteen minutes we approach a small boat house, bnilt on a slight sandy elevation, where alighting we enter the gate of CoL. Hart's celebrated orange grove. The gate way is flanked by rows ot huge bananas, whose pendant and gigantic clusters of flowers almost brush the hat as one passes. The grove is simply inclosed by a low picket fence, and tbe ground upon which it stands is not more than twelve feet abova the level of the sluggish river. If you can imagine thousand trees planted in rows, all straight, clean, and flourishing, whose boughs interlap in auch compact masses of foilage that no ray of sunlight ever penetrates to the pure white sand in which they grow, and then can think of these bright green trees closely dotted over with golden fruit, perfect in form and hangln gin clusters fust as you have seen apples in the fall in a well-to-do orchard, you may have some idea of being in an orange grove. In the center of the grove is the house of the gardener who keeps the grounds, picks the fruit, at tends to the shipping, etc In a well-arranged fruit house I found the oranges by thehundreds of bushels spread upon moss, and being rapidly. CONVEYED TO BOXES AND BARRELS. This grove was planted about forty years ago, and went to ruin as almost every orange grove in Florida did before the war, for this fruit was unknown id our market until since that period. Some eight years ago CoL D. A. Hart, a Vermonter who has lived ia Palatka for twenty years or more, purchased the grove and 200 acres of land with it for f$.000. Col. Hart at once put the thing in good shape, and whilst others paid little attention to high culture, because the orange flourishes in a wild state all about the country, the grove had the bestr attention. Thousands of loads of swamp muck and dead fish, shell-lime, etc., were added to tbe white sand, in which this tree grows. The result of the culture has been the production of more and finer flavored oranges than were ever known before, in proof of which I will state that about twelve thousand dollars worth of fruit was sold last year and this year it will reach fifteen thousand dollars worth. . The whole crop averages four cents apiece, and every orange is sold and paid for at the grove, to people visiting here, who purchase and ship from one to a dozen boxes home. After eating about a dozen oranges on a bench under the cool shade, I felt better, and made, some inquiry about orange growing, and as the fruit has been the mania here tot five or six years, and as on aa average about five hundred. Jetters and essays per year have been Written, I will only touch the matter slightly, hoping it will not encourage ANT FOOL IN INDIANA, Who has an acre of ground and half a dozen apple trees, to pull up, sell out, and move to this country to go into orange culture. There are two kind of oranges growing wild in large groves in this state; one is a sour fruit, which tastes like a lemon or strong oranee flavor; and the other is called bitter-sweet, because the outside is intensely bitter but the juice sweet. Now some natural groves are only thinned out and grafted, or budded with sweet fruit. Some are transplanted, and others grown from' seed. The tree flourishes in the pure white sand. Now this is only one part. The other side is that to clear the new land is just about as difficnlt as clearing the worst land in Indiana one hundred times. When these trees and palmettos are removed then you have a fine bank of white sand pure quartz in powder. In this you must wora, and here youtnust work where every, days work from April to November costs more Shysical energy than three days at home, uring harvest. My own view would be that only such persons as cannot live north i on account of health should farm down here, and that no one with a poof farm in Indiana can better his condition here. A poor farmer in Indiana will eternally be a poor fanner no matter where he moves to. Mistletoe. RAISING THE DEAD CHANG AND ENG. THE TWINS IN DEATH OPENING THE TOMBREMOVAL OF TUB BODIES. A letter from Richmond, Va., to the New York Herald, gives an interesting account of the removal of the bodies of the Siamese twins to Philadelphia lor examination: After a private consultation as to the nature of their mission, the visiting medical gentlemen were promised every facility on the part of the committee of reception, and it was agreed that on tbe following day (Sunday) they should be escorted to the house of Mrs. Eng Bunker, where the late twins were temporarily interred. In accordance with this program, about 11 o'clock the next day the commission, attended by the committee, drove to the residence of Mrs. Eng, which is situated some four miles from Mount Airy, in a southwesterly direction. On the way they passed the residence of Chang's family, which is only three miles distant, and soon after they halted at tbe comfortable log structure of Mrs. Eng. The newi of tbe arrival of the commission having spread with almost electric speed, a large number of people from the surrounding country came pouring in on horseback and in bnggies, and soon quite a crowd were assembled, all of them anxious and Interested spectators ot the scenes they were about to witness. After a brist discus sion, during which both the ladies evinced considerable feeling, they consented to the propositions of the commission, on the con dition, and with the distinct understanding that the bodies should not be injuriously mutilated. This the commission agreed tn in a fAw moments. Afterwards they de scended to the cellar where the bodies m J a 1.. were interred. Anis was iounu io m a dark, but somewhat spacious apartment, the floor of which was the naked earth, tha soil, above the substrata ol rock being of a porous aud mouldy nature A Mim rQ nrinn tl nnrrvmiasinn W&S a tin' 4.i-vmju j --r m-w nerto.open he case in which the bodies had been plr.ced. ; The scene was now quite a wierd aud solemn cue. The temporary l sepulchre vras reached by a . northwestern

door from another basement apartment, and, when 'the commission dtiscended, tbe crowd of neighbors thronged in, and stood silently around tbe improvised tomb of the twins. The darkuess being intense, pine wood knots were then lighted in one corner, the flickering glare of which cast ghostly shadows ot the spectators athwart the wooden ceiling and along the roughly-built granite walls of the room. OPENING THH TOMB. In the midst of deep silence, and with great solemnity, the earth was then removed from around the outer wooden case, which was lifted from its position and conveyed to the apartmeut without. Here the outside case was then taken off, -the charcoal removed, and the tin case presented itself to the view. Preceding in order, the tinner then opened the latter and the inside coffin was exposed. With great care this was then carried to one of the rooms of the house up-stairs, where a full and excellent light was obtained, and, after being placed in a proper position; the cover was taken off. All the members of t he commission and several others bent eagerly over the coffin, the first sensation they experienced being a cadaveric odor, which, however, . was not at all repulsive. A white gauze muslin covering being drawn oft, the faces of the dead twins were exposed. The features of Chang were partially discolored, those of Eng being natural. Both the bodies were habited in neat black suits, the coffin was nicely lined witn muslin, and, from the indications so far, they seemed to be in a very good state of preservation. Both the widows then came into the room, each going to the side of the coffin upon which lay the remains of her husband; and with a mournful sadness that was very touching, they took 3 final farewell, and left them to the doctors. This last tribute elicited from tbose present expressions of respect and sympathy for tbe Borrowing ladies. The members of the commission, assisted by those present, then disrobed the bodies and a partial examination was made, no operation being performed, and the result of this was followed by a medical consultation. From what I could gleam . it was found the bodies, though very well preserved so far. would be in a state of decomposition, and that the surgical operation, if performed now, might endanger the ultimate preservation of tbe now defunct natural curiosity, a consequence which both the commission and tbe families were anxious to avoid. It was further decided that the facilities for an autopsy were so meagre and insufficient that it would not be wise to attempt it on the present occasion, and that,, besides the present examination and efforts to obtain good photographic views 'of the ligament and bodies, the operations of the commission would be limited to a partial , embalment to insure the preservation of the : bodies. A number of efforts to obtain photographic views were then made, resulting ; ntVftRKfllllv in OnA intanrtfl nnlr kftar

-J . . .. which the partial embalmment was performX . . 1 1 J i vu, aim iuo uoaici were onos more coverteain the coffin. i THE MAD STONE. THE STORY OY AN ILLINOIS MAN WHO WAS ' ' SAVED FROM HYDROPHOBIA BT ITS CSE. A letter to the Chicago Inter-Ocean from rj Batavia, 111., gives this interesting description of a mad stone and how it works: ' , . The stone is irregular in shape, about one 1 ' and a fourth Inches long, one inch wide, and , three eights of an inch thick, straight on the j face, as if worked off; the other side nearly;"' flat, having the appearance of being its, natural shape. It has the appearance of a ; framework of cells, about 3-32s of an incb . in diameter, round, smooth, and having. the color and appearance of a brown fiintj , The cavity in the interstices between them are filled with a -grayish stone, porous, resembling lava or pumice stone, with the grains running through from one side to the ' other, and in places looking as if the grains did not quite reach the even surface of the cells. Mr. Evans, the owner of the stone, ' claims that his family and ancestors have been in possession of it for 200 years, but ' does not claim to know its origin. He appears like a candid, intelligent farmer, and expresses the most perfect confidence in its efncaey as a remedy for the bite of a mad , dog or rattlesnake, if applied before the the patient is taken with convulsions; and believes it will cure the disease, even after , it has reached that stage. I was bitten in x the hand by a dog on Thursday night about seven o'clock, and the wounds ; were very thoroughly cauterized within -from ten to twenty minutes. Before applying the stone (which was on Saturday k raörning about thirty-eight hours after . I was bitten), Mr. Evans scarified the . edges of the wound, removing as much ot the burnt part as he could conveniently, repeating that process several times on re , moving the stone from the deepest wound. He then placed the stone upon that wound which was partly between my little and third finger, binding it very tightly. Alter about thirty minutes he removed it, and , and where . IT T0T7CH3D THE WOUND ' ' it was wet with a thin matter, which emit- ; ted a very strong, sickening odor, which I noticed at several different times on its re moval from the wound, and which contin ued to some extent to the last. A trace of that odor could be discovered when I tried it, after cleansing, before the third or fourth application: and as he continued its appli--cation the odor which itjretained after being cleansed seemed to increase. The applications to that wound were continued about fifty-four hours, and to the other (on the back ol my nana) aoont twenxy-iour noura. did not see mm cieanse tne stone, he took it from tbe room for that purpose, but I understood that be cleaned it with warm water, leaving it fifteen or twenty minutes Derore returning it to the wound. After the first application, he left it on an hour or more each time. The strong odor that it emitted was evidence to me that it possessed some property tnat i did not understand, and the numerous cases which he cited, where he had tested its efficacy, never having failed but once, and that wnen It naa not a iair inai, gave me so muca confidence that in a similar case I should recommend its trial. Aa to iU "adhering to the wound as long as the virus remained in the system," I am unable to say anything, as tbe wounds on my bands were so located that it would not be a fair test, if it possesaed that quality, which I think the owner claimed for lt. I hope that whenever another case shall occur where it is deemed advisable to make a trial of the stone, the pa tient will be accompanied by a physician competent to detect and expose the humbug, if it be one, and note any phenomena that may appear which might lead to a better knowledge of the disease and its antidotes. N. WOLCOTT. Ex-Mayor W. C. McCarthy, received a Republican nomination for Mayor of Pittsburg on Monday last. The delegates for Grass and Kirk bolted, and called a convention to be held at tour o'clock the same day. William Baker, of Toledo, has been appoia ted to fill tbe vacancy in tbe State Constitutional convention caused by the retirement of Chief Justice Waite. The Rev. Josenh D. Wilson, of PltitV, Pennsylvania, has accepted a c& to the KeJ formed Lpiicopal Church la Peoria, lliu noi.

Ä