WILLIAM SIMS...... Assistant Steward..JOHN J. ROSA....... Chaplain...... Treasurer Secretary.... ..HENRY O. DEVRIES........ Gate-Keeper... Pomona. Flora......... Ceres....... Milford, Del. .Marriottsville, Md. Wayne, N. Y. Washington, D. C. Texarkana, Ark. MRS. MARY L. DARDEN. Fayette, Miss. MRS. E. M. NICHOLSON. Camden, N. J. ......... MRS. H. H. WOODMAN... Paw Paw, Mich. Lady Ass't Steward. MRS. HANNAH A. SIMS... Topeka, Kan. JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS. FIRST DAY. Washington D. C., WEDNESDAY, November 16th, 1881. The National Grange, in accordance with the provision of its Constitution, assembled in Fifteenth Annual Session, and was opened in the Sixth Degree, at 12.30 o'clock, P. M., there being present D. W. Jones, Iowa. And of the MEMBERS. G. A. Wason, N. H. Mrs. A. F. Parker, Wis. The Committee retired, and after a short absence returned and presented the following report: Worthy Master: Your Committee on Credentials find the following States clear upon the books of the Treasurer, and entitled to representation in the National Grange. Alabama, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin. Mrs. S. E Smith. D. H. Thing. W. M. Maryland.......... ..H. O. Devries, W. M. Minnesota........ Mississippi.......... Missouri... Mrs. J. C. Draper. Put. Darden, W. M. Mrs. M. A. Eshbaugh. New Hampshire.....G. A. Wason, W. M. Mrs. C. L. Wason. New Jersey..... .I. W. Nicholson, W. M. .......... New York........ Mrs. E M. Nicholson. W. A. Armstrong, W. M. North Carolina W. H. Cheek, W. M. Ohio................ Pennsylvania....... ..... J. H. Brigham, W. M. Mrs. M. S. Rhone. South Carolina......J. N. Lipscomb, W. M. Tennessee. Texas..... Virginia. Wisconsin......... Mrs. M. A. Lipscomb. All of which is respectfully submitted, F. M. MCDOWELL, Chairman. Which on motion of Bro. Cheek, N. C., was adopted. Sister M. E. Flint, Cal., was introduced and obligated in the the Fifth Degree. On motion of Bro. Wayne, N. Y., the Grange took a recess until 3.30 P. M. 3.30 O'CLOCK, P.M. Recess having expired, the Grange was called to order by Worthy Master Woodman. The Worthy Master informed the Grange of the action he had taken in the case of the State Grange of Arkansas. Bro. Thomas Tunis Smith and Sister L. W. Smith of Minnesota were introduced and obligated in the Sixth Degree, and took seats as members of the National Grange. On motion of Bro. Eshbaugh, Mo., it was Resolved. That the Worthy Master now close the Grange in the Sixth Degree, and immediately open it in the Fourth Degree and that the work of the session be done in the Fourth Degree. And that visiting Patrons of the Fourth Degree be admitted to the sessions of the Grange. Whereupon a large number of Fourth Degree members were admitted as visitors. Bro. John R Thompson, D. C., addressed the Grange as follows: Worthy Master and Members of the National Grange: At the request and on behalf of some of those who have the honor of being regarded as the founders of the Order, it is again my pleasant privilege to extend to you a few words of welcome and fraternal greeting upon your again assembling in annual session in the City of Washington. An old adage says that History repeats itself." Astronomers inform us that the planets move in circular orbits. Chronologists record the ebb and flow of time by cycles. There is a natural instinct that impels the man who has acquired wealth and achieved honors in a foreign land to return to his natal home, if perchance only to be buried with his fathers. It may, therefore, be in accordance with some natural law that |