Trusting that this meeting may be fraught with harmony and zeal and redound to the strengthening and building up of the Order all over our land.

WASHINGTON.—AUGUSTUS HIGH, Master.

Worthy Master and Members of the National Grange: -I am pleased to report that the Grange has made substantial progress during the year in the State of Washington. During the spring we succeeded in organizing five new Granges, all of which are now in a flourishing condition. We also expect several more Granges from work already done.

Our Fire Insurance Company has done a reasonable amount of business, and we consider it our most potent factor in organization, as we confine its benefits to members of the Order.

During the year we held a number of Farmers' Institutes, which were well attended by both members of the Order and also those outside the gate. We have joined with the Oregon State Grange in organizing a Life Insurance Company, which we have hopes will be of great benefit to both states. All things considered we feel satisfied with the year's work and the prospects in the State of Washington.

WEST VIRGINIA.-T. C. ATKESON, Master.

Worthy Master:-The West Virginia State Grange held its twenty-seventh annual session in the City of Lewisburg, on Thursday and Friday, October 19 and 20, 1899, just eight months and ten days from the day of the last meeting, with a better attendance and more genuine Grange enthusiasm than usual. The reports of the Treasurer and Secretary showed the finances to be in better condition than heretofore. The spirit

of confidence and hopefulness seemed contagious, and it might be read in the face of every Patron present the determination to stand by the Order with that persistency which insures success. During this short Grange year twelve Subordinate Granges have been reorganized, and while we have lost a few from dormancy, the condition of the Order, on the whole, is in every respect better than it has been for many years. I visited many of the Subordinate Granges during my summer vacation, delivered many addresses before Farmers' Institutes and other meetings, and assisted in the reorganization of a number of Subordinate Granges. In all my efforts I was loyally supported and assisted by faithful brethren who shrank from no duty. Realizing that it is works, rather than words, that win success in the Grange cause, as well as every other undertaking, it is not my purpose to prolong this report. In conclusion I wish to assure you that the Grange in West Virginia is building upon a solid foundation, and in spirit of peace, harmony, fraternity and good-fellowship greets the members of the Order, wherever they may be, from one end of the country to the other.

WISCONSIN.-H. E. HUXLEY, Master.

The condition of the Order in Wisconsin is not very flattering, but the trials that we are subjected to we hope to overcome in the near future. There seems to be an increasing desire among farmers outside the Grange for organization, which we trust will soon result in more effective work in the way of organization. The Grange influence is having its effect and drawing the attention of those engaged in agriculture to the fact that they have duties. to perform if the interests of the tillers of the soil are

properly protected. What we need in Wisconsin is an efficient corps of Deputies to push the work. This we have been unable to secure, but hope in the near future to be more successful in getting those who are qualified and willing to take hold of this work.

Bro. S. H. Ellis, of Ohio, offered the following, which was adopted:

Resolved, That the Executive Committee of the National Grange be and is hereby directed to visit the proprietors of "The Daily Morning Sun," of Springfield, Ohio, and secure an explanation of the publication in reference to the National Grange, which appeared in this morning's edition of said paper.

On motion of Bro. Augustus High, of Washington, it was ordered that the election of officers of the National Grange be made the special order for Tuesday, November 21, at 2:30 o'clock p. m.

At 10 o'clock p. m. the labors of the day were closed.

FOURTH DAY.

ARMORY HALL,

Springfield, O., Nov. 18, 1899.

The National Grange assembled at 9:30 o'clock a. m., with Worthy Master Jones presiding, and was. opened in the fourth degree and proceeded to the labors of the day.

The Worthy Secretary called the roll of states and a quorum of members responded.

Friday's Journal was read and approved.

Bro. G. W. Worthen, of Califronia, offered the following, which was adopted:

Resolved, That we, the members of the National Grange, approve of the reports furnished by our Worthy Lecturer to the Sun and hereby express our confidence in his integrity and ability as Grange Reporter.

Bro. C. J. Bell, of Vermont, offered the following:

Resolved, That we immediately withdraw our contract from the Daily Sun and engage some paper that will represent us as our Publication Committee may dictate from day to day.

Bro. Oliver Wilson, of Illinois, moved that the resolution of Bro. C. J. Bell be referred to the Executive Committee for action. Adopted.

Bro. J. B. Ager, Chairman, presented the following report for the Committee on Division of Labor, which was adopted:

Worthy Master: The Committee on the Division of Labor beg leave to make a partial report:

The Committee have had under consideration recommendations contained in the Worthy Master's address, and believe that they are of great importance; therefore we have assigned them to several committees, in order that they may have the careful consideration which their importance demands.

We would recommend that the parts in reference to "free rural mail delivery' postal savings banks and election of United States senators by direct vote of

the people, under head of first, second and third," be referred to the Committee on Good of the Order.

The parts in reference to "Inter-state Commerce Commission, Construction of Nicaragua Canal and Ship canals, under the head of fourth, ninth and tenth,” to Committee on Transportation.

The parts in reference to "use of Shoddy and enacting pure food laws," to Committee on Agriculture.

The portion to provide for "the extension of markets for farm products, under seventh head,” to Committee on Co-operation.

The part in reference to "anti-trust laws, under eighth head," to Committee on Co-operation.

The parts in reference to "revising fees and salaries of federal officers, under eleventh head," to Committee on Resolutions.

The part in reference to "the several State Granges, under heads first, second, third, fourth and fifth," to Committee on Good of the Order.

Worthy Lecturer's report:

The Committee would recommend that the parts in reference to "Grange Literature, Quarterly Bulletin and Grange Press," be referred to the Committee on Publication.

The part in reference to "Nature Studies," to Committee on Education.

Balance of report to Committee on Good of the Or

der.

Respectfully submitted,

J. B. AGER,

C. J. BELL,

G. W. WORTHEN,

IDA V. HIGH,

CORDELIA ATKESON,

G. C. NORRIS.

Committee.