The Abbeville press and banner. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, September 16, 1891, SUPPLEMENT, Image 10
"' "" JL f
SECRET* ALLIANCE WORK.
FORMALITY IN OPENING LODGE MEETINGS.
Cerctiioiiie* <>1? the lultiiition?4ioo<l
Ail vice Shot at 4'!imli<latCM Iroin
nil Quarter* The <? ri|?* The
Word* Prayer* and Scripture
- nalnrA
I ({IIOIHIIimi vmu...
> (From the New YorkKun.)
The Sun Is enabled to lay b?Tore its readers
the ritual, the symbols, the grips, the signs of
recognition, the dialogues with the grips, the
distress sign, and, in fact, all ol the secret
paraphernalia of the Farmers Alliance. The
information concerning these matters
will be ot widespread interest, especial
ly to members of Masoulc Institutions
><1 ?n other secret societies. The informa
lion did not come voluntarily to me sun.
The nature of the secret voyvs of tlie memhers
of the Alliance is the strongest evidence
of I hut. v
In rending the ritual of the Alliance it will
lie observed that it is simple. It seems to
have been built upon the premises that the
members could not necessarllly devote much
time to study of Intricate torms. All the
question asked by the presiding officers of
candidates are direct and simple. Some the
answers. This article, however lias most to
do with the conduct of the Initiated members.
The Sun has not authority to publish
the initiatory ceremonies, though these ceremonies
urealso of the simplest kind.
The first essential feature of the proceedings
in a Lodge of Farmers Alliance men
is found in the position of its officers. Owing
to the great diversity ol shape of the differ
ent halls for treeting nu umginm w
made that could be followed by all. Hut as
near as possible several general rules are
followed. The position of the president is In
the middle of that part of the hall most remote
from the place of entrance. The vicepresident
Is at the left and close to the president.
The treasurer is on the left of the
vice president. The secretary Is on the president's
right, and usually midway between
the president and the corner of the room.
The altar Is iu the exact centre of the room.
There Is always a big Bible on the altar.
The champlain and lecturer are on opposite
sides of the room, the chaplain on the
right and the lecturer on the left from the
trfslilent. The d<x>rkeeper Is immediately
inside the door. The assistant doorkeeper
ijfnihhvay between the doorkeeper
-? ? whatever vuriallort^Bay
HUH UH;
be accessary in the postiou ot the differs,
there 1b seldom a change ou the part of the
president and tlwe doorkeeper. The general
instruction guiding the lodges of-the Alliance
Insists that candidates who have have
been regularly elected to membership may be
initiated at a meeting called for that purpose.
But the ballot cannot be spread at a
called meeting.
Application for membership must always
be made at a regular meeting. The doorkeeper
must not step outside of the door to
receive the word, neither may he receive it
iu the doorway with the door open. He may
not attend any alarm except the correct one,
and when that is made headmits the brother
* inside the dooi, shuts the door, and receives
the word, he reports a wrong alarm, and
the president requests me stewuru iu Ku UUi,
anil report tlie cause. The doorkeeper may
not admit unyone during the opening,
Initiatory or closing ceremonies. The vice
president has a gavel, and if any member
entersor retires without giving him the s?ltiallou
sign he gives one rap, calling tne
house toorder and reporting the member to
the president. The president of the lodge
has full charge of the secret work.
OPENING OK A MEETING.
The form of opening a lodge of the AMInnee
Is uninteresting. The following ate the
llrst proceedings:
President: The hour ha6 arrived for opening
this?(The ritual does not say whether
the assemblage is a chapter or a lodge) If
there be any present who are not members
- Rtjindlni?. thov will
cil wie uiuci
please retire. Brother doorkeeper, please
secure the door and admit uo one during the
ceremony.
The assistant doorkeeper and steward ap
proach the president and give the room word.
The president, finding them correot, continues:
You will now proceed to make up the
room word and report it all correct.
"Members, when approach, should rise and
give life word in a whisper, and when ready
to report these otticers advance to the centre
of the room, salute the president with a sign
of courtesy, announce their report by saying:
'We tlnd all correct,' or 'All correct except'?(naming
such as are not correct > and
any person not in possession of the word
musi be excluded from the room, unless some
member will vouch for such person."
President: "Let us all join our chaplain in
invoking the blessing of Almighty God."
The chaplain advances to the altar and
leads in prayer. For convenience the follow
lng form Is Inserted, to be used by the chap
lain or not, as he may choose.
"Almighty and Everlasting God in whom
Is all power and wisdom, oil which we must
depend for everything that we have and are,
realize that Thou art omnipotent and omniscient.
We adore and worship Thee for Thy
power, Thy mercy and Thy love. We sincerely
thank Thee for Thy boundless mercy,
the many blceslngs Thou hast bestowed upon
us, and the redemption offered through Thine
only begotten Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ. We most earnestly beseech Thee
that Thou wilt look in mercy upon us, forgive
us our sins, and let Thy blessing be shed
abroad in our midst We humbly Invoke
.? I.? ..II umiIItii nf II fn
XIIy Kpiril LUKUIUC UO ... v..~ .. _,
and most especially do we Implore Thee to be
with us in our deliberations as a body. May
we be drawn to euch other In that spirit of
fraternity, of love and Justice which Thou
wilt bless. May all that we do be for the
bettermcut of Immunity and for the honor
and glory of Thy great name."
President: Vou will now assist me In advancing
the signs.
1 now declare this opened and ready
for the transaction of business.
The next proceedings are always the initiatlonofnew
members. The form of Initiation
follows:
CKKKMONY OK INITIATION.
President: Brother Secretary is there any
candidate present for initiation ?
Secretary: Brother President, I report candidates
present seeking admission who have
been duly elected. as follows:
Presldeut: Tirother Steward, you will now
introduce the candidate for initiation.
The steward and Canldate approach the
door and give any simple alarm.
Doorkeeper: There is an alarm at the door,
brother president.
President: Seek the cause and report.
Doorkeeper: A candidate seeking admisoion
to oar Order.
President: Admit him.
The body of the lodge or chapter here sings
a stanza of a hymn or any familiar solemn
song, while the steward conducts the candidate
to a position immediately in front of
and fuclng the president.
Steward: Brother President, I have the
honor to present to you Mr. for Initiation.
President: Brother Steward, why does he
seek adrftlsslon Into our Order?
Steward: Because he desires to aid by
every means in his power cur efforts in bclialf
of the wealth producers of the land.
President: Belore wo proceed It will be
necessary that you take 011 yourself a solemn
obligation, which I assure you will not
conflict with the freedom of your political
or religious views. With tills assurance, are
you willing to proceed ?
candidate: I am.
President: Mr. , dayou believe in the
existence of a supreme Being who rules and
governs all things?
Candidate: 1 do.
President: Brother Steward, you will
^lace the candidate in the proper position to
Tecelve the obligation.
The candidate is placed with his left hand
011 the Bible and ins right hand 011 his heart.
President: Mr. , you will give your
name when I use mine, and repeat after mo
? as follows:
I, , in the presence of Almighty God
and these witnesses, do solemnly promise
and attlrm that 1 will never reveal auy ol
the secrets of the Order to any one not entitled
to receive the same. I will never, under
any circumstances, write, engrave, indite
or print, or in any way make any impression,
picture or design thai would convey
any idea of the secret work, signs or
pass words of this Order. I will faithfully
support the constitution and the laws of the
Order. I will never wrong or defraud or deeel
ve a member, nor will i permit It to he
done If It be In my power to prevent it. Di
my Intercourse with a member 1 will always
speak the truth. 1 will not oppose the admission
of any one to membership solely on
account of a personal matter, nor will I propose
any one whom I have any reason Id
believe Is an Improper person, or who would
be an unworn? member. 1 further solemnly
nfflrtn thatstmuld I lie expelled or dismissed
from the Order I will talthlullv keep this
obligation as sacred out of the Order as when
a member, so help me God.
President: May God help you to keep and
observe this obligation.
?
coon A1IVICK TO TIIK CAXIMDATK.
l'residcut: My brother, those who s
'round you have all assumed this obllgationand
are keeping it inviolate. Yonr usefulness
as a member of this Order will depend,
upon the fidelity with which yon observe the
same. Wc consiitule aeoinnion brotherhood,
bound together for our collective and indi
viaiiill ocnent. vur iiinis arc nigii, our purposes
noble. We aim to elevate man by
blending together more Intimately tbe ties
of brotherhood and humanity in his social
life, thus dissolving prejudic and selfishness
in the sunlight of human love. We aim by
cultivating the mind to reach a higher degree
of intelligence, thereby addlug to the
pleasures and relieving the cares and anxieties
of life. Man has a mental and moral as
well as a physical existence, and both should
be equally and fully developed to afford him
the greatest degree of enjoyment on this
earthly sphere. Our purpose is to exert an
influence In opposition to the glaring and
shameful vices which degrade mankind,
lower him in the scale ot human existence
and bring despair and woe to the dearest
creatures he has on earth. We are allied together
to render the lives ol farmers and laborers
more attractive, country life less lonely
and more social, and to better our financial
condition. My brother, you have a sacred
trust to fulfil. You have the honor of
the?(meaning the lodge or chapter of the
Alliance) and Its principles to guard and defend.
My brother, we confidently hope you
may ever be found worthy of the high trust
reposed lu you. Brother Steward, you will
will now conduct the brother to the lecturer
for further instruction in the principles of
t.he Ordpr. *
Steward: Brother Lecturer, by directidR of
our president, I present to you Brother
for further instruction as to tne duties and
responsibilities he assumes in becoming a
member of onr Order.
Lecturer: My brother, it is with pleasure
that I greet you as a coluborer in this important
work. The members of this great Order
should act together as n unit. You will always!
find Uieiu ready to yield obedience to the
motto of this Order. "lu tilings essential,
u?fty;andin all things, charity," anil you
are expected to at once school yourself to a
like obedience to this principle. Bouud together
by the same bond, having the same
interest, seeking to accomplish the same
objects, and confronted by thesame evils, we
must be controlled by united action. You
will henceforth be regarded by the world as
a representative of the interests and cliafacter
of this great Order. Let your conduct
and bearing ever be such that our enemies
cannot Justly criticise and that the brotherhood
wilt always gladly commend and defend
you. Brother Staward, yen conduct the
brother to the chaplain for further instructions.
Steward : Brother Chaplain, I desire to present
to you Brother , that you may impress
him with a Just conception ol responsibility
to his fellow-man and of his duty to
his God.
Chanlain ; Mv'brother. truth Is the enitome
or all that the great Creator of the Universe
demands of me?i. You may sum up your
responsibility to your fellow-man, ana your
duty to God In the simple truth. Be true to
yourself, true to your lamlly, true to the Order,
true to your country and true to your
<iod. Speak the truth! Live the truth!
May the blessing of God attend you and abide
with you.
Steward conducts the candidate to the
president for final Instructions.
Steward: Brother President, I present
Brother for final Instructions.
President: My brother you have now
learned that this great Order is founded upon
the principles of truth, equity and Justice,
and I cull your attention to thejlacl that a
strict adherence to these principles will Increase
your usefulness as member of this Order
and a citizen of this Government. I will
now impart, to you the secret work of the
Order.
J. on wishing to enter the .when at
work, you will make an alarm at the door by
knocks, when the doorkeeper will open the
daor.
2. You will theu advance and give him the
door word, which Is * * *
3. You will then advance to near the centre
of the room and salute the vice-president
with ihe salutation sign, which Is made thus
* * On being recognized you will be seated
in the ...
4. The room word is * *
Tlie degree word Ik * * *
6. The grip Is ? *
7. Dialogue with grip is * *
8. The sigus of the degree are * * * anil
are thus explained * * *
1). Sign of recognition *
10. Answer * * *
11. Distress signs and auswers *
12. Test * * *
l:t. ('tuition signal * * *
14. The gavel is used by the president to
control the in the following manner: One
rap calls to order, and seats the officers and
members when stand lug: two raps calls the
officers and members to their feel.
I'realdent: brethren, I now Introduce to
you Brother as a member of this and
in full fellowship, and cumtnetjd him to your
love and esteem.
The body may theu appropriately take a
few minutes'recess to allow the members to
greet and congratulate a new member.
KORM OK CLOSING THE I.OIHiK.
The president says that if there is no other
business the meetiug will close. There is a
little music from the piano, or melodeon, or
parlor organ, ionoweu. oy a prayer oy mc
chaplain.
Chaplain: O God, whose mercies are numberless
anil the treasure or whoso goodness
are infinite, we humble thank Thee for the
Kirs Thou hast bestowed upon us. Enlighten
our understanding, strengthen our wills, purify
our hearts, increase our fraternal love,
and make us attentive to nil Thy Inspirations.
Guard us against nil evil and all sin.
Give us hearts compassionate for the miseries
of the poor and distressed. Make us always
obedient to Thy holy will. And bring
us finally, each and every one of us, to Thy
heavenly kingdom through ono Christ, our
Lord, t\men.
The president Is then assisted In advancing
tlie signs of the Order, and ufter that he de
ciares the lodge closed until the next meeting.
MEANING OK THE THREE STARS.
The Sun now tells us what the president
means by the three stars which he uses to denote
the methods by which the member gains
entrance to the lodge and how he can detect
his fellow-members and greet them according
to tlie formulas set down in the ritual.
The three stars sumd pre-eminently for the
words! Truth, Unit and Union. When the
member Is at the outer door of the lodge and
wishes to obtain admittance he gives two
distinct knocks with his knnckles and pauses
and Immediately follows with aslnglcknock.
When the doorkeeper throws open the door,
that Is. the outer door, the member whispers
in linear these words: "Sustain the Union."
That nets him to the second door, which
opens directly into the lodge The second
sentinel receives the whispered words from
the member: "Sustain the Unit."
It will be observed in the ritual that If a
member does not salute the vice-president on
entering or leaving ihe Lodge, he Is called to
order. Tills rule is very strictly adhered to.
So the member on entering, in carrying out
Rule in the programme laid down by the
president, as he passes the second sentinel,
advances and gives the salutation sign. This
sign consists first In crossing the palms ol
the hands as the member stands before the
president's desk ; second. In placing the right
hand over the heart; and third, In the slow
movement of the hand from the heart with a
sweeping gesture, until it Is In repose at the
rlghtside. The member then may sit down
with his brothers. When ho retires from the
Lodge he must reverse the order of the salutation?that
is. he makes the sweeping acknowledgment,
puts his right hand over his
heart, and then crosses the platns of his
hands. The room word and the degree word
vary In different lodges, but is usually based
on the expressions "Sustain the Union" and
"Sustain the Unit." The grip also carriesoul
the symbol of three.
Tins grip consists In putting the small fin
ger between the third and fourth fingers, antl
then there Is a shake twice and a pause, anil
then one shake. The dialogue with the gri|
is:
Question : Hello, I ought to know you.
Answer: Why so?
Question: Why, don't you remember ?
Answer: Why? Oh, yes?yes.
Some vulgar people in New York mighi
suggest that this savors of the bunko dialed
used by (irand Central l'ete and Hungrj
J oe.
SIGNS OK RECOGNITION.
The signs of I lie degree are very curious
Maybe they are not so strange for the country,
but they would certainly tie for the city
If an Alliance mail wants to find out wlicthi
er he is talking to a brother of the Order Ik
causually puts his riglit hand to his throa
where his collar button ought to be. It hli
auditor Is a brother he quickly responds bj
i jamming his right baud to the back of liii
neck, where bis back collar button ought t<
be. These signs are used by the A fUunci
I men at their tea parties and pumpkin bees
i and the sharpeyes ol those In the secrets o
i the Order, although not members of It, oai
see the manipulation on the steps of many i
1 country church. The sign ol' recognition um
'
r T
tbc answer arc but two of the formulas of '
the Older.
Now come (lie distress sign and answer. If
the brother Is in trouble and requires assistance,
and he lirst desires to call on a brother
of his Order, lie crosses his hands in front of ]
hirn and res Is them easily 011 Ills stomach.
THK (Hill*.
There must always tie something held between
the luintls. It may he a pencil or crow- ;
bar, or among the richer members a diamond
I ring or any jewelry, l>ut there must be something
there.
I When the recognition is complete the man
iu distress says slowly : "Hello! hello!" then
j onuses and sa.vs again : "Hello!" His fellow-member
answers slowly: "O. K.! O. 1
K.!" pauses, and adds another (1. IC.! There r
| are other signs of distress which arc used, r
] especially lit the lonely districts of the \\ est,
i where the houses are few. If. for I list since, a i
j brother is attacked by cowboys or Indians or :
I other marauders, he can attract at lent Ion af- ,
> ter night by swinging a lantern twice, then '
pausing and swinging it once again ; or tie J
may ring his dinner bell or a cow bell in the
same way; or he may shoot his revolver or '
gun three times in the same way. lint he :
must always remember to pause between the
second indication of distress and the third. T
If he does not, he is not a solid member of _
the Order.
'I'll K IIUKIAI, SKKVICH.
a
Tho burial service of the Alliance is drawn ](
up in form, and may be lined either at the re- ^
sidence or the grave. Any religious exercises )
may first be held. When the minister has ?
finished the president of the Iocal_ lodge v
takes a position at the head of the eotlin, tlie |
J steward at the loot, tno chaplain on ine rism ,|
! of the president , aud the lecturer on the left, i
I Mie other officers and brethren forming a circle,
in which is the coffin and the mourners
ail stand ins:. The form used Is: n
| President: Once more we are brought fnce [
| to face with a prool of man's mortality. ?
Again we are reminded of tlie uncertainly of ?
I life, the immutable certainty of death. W'c
are made to realize that in the midst of llle f(
| we are In death, and that our earthly being t
at the furthest is of but short duration, f,
Brethren, they that trust In the Lord shall be
as Mount /Ion, which cannot be removed, g
l but abideth foreve.?Psalm cx.w. 1. s
I The Brethren: our help is tiic name of the t
Lord, who made heaven and earth.?Psalm e
exxvi. 8. s
President: He thai goeth forth and weepeth,
bearing precious seed, shall doubtless ,
come again with rejoicing, bringing his g
sheaves with him.?Psalm exxvi. C.
The Brethren: They that sow in tears
shnll reap In Joy.?l'saim exxvi.
rresiueui: nreiiiruii, uviuie uic uiwuuiiiiua were
brought forth or even Thou hadst formed
the earth and the world, even from everlasting
?o everlasting Thou art God.?Psalm i,
! xc. 2. ,,
j The Brethren: For n thousand years In ,
j Thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past,
i and as a watch In the night.?Psalm *c, I.
j President: Who kuoweth the power of
Thine anger? Even according tfl Thy fear so j
Is Thy wrath.?Psalm xc, 11.
I The Brethren : So teach us to number our
days that wc may apply our hearts unto wlsdem.?Psalm
xc, 12. t
j President: I will say to the north give up; j
and to the south, keep not back bring my <]
sons from far and my daughter from the ti
ends of the earth.?Isaiah xliii, (5
The Brethren: Fear not, for I am with
thee; 1 will bring the seed from the cast aud
gather trom the west.?Isaiah xlll, ">. " Ij
President: Man that is born of a woman a
Is of few days and full of trouble. He cometh v
<- .1- 111-- ? |? l.O I,
I iurill lint it Iltmci illiu in kill, uunn, "
fleeth also as a shadow, and contlnueth not. s
Seeing his days are determined, the number t
of his months are with Thee. Thou hast ap- p
pointed his bounds that lie cannot pass, turn u
from him that he may rest till he shall ac- v
complish his day. For there is hope of a tree I]
if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, t
and that the tender branch thereof will not l
cease But man dleth and wasteth away; ?
yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is ti
he? An the waters fall from the sea, and the e
flood decayeth and drleth up, so man lietii s
down and riseth not till the heavens be no
more.?Job, xlv.
(An appropriate hymn may here be sung,
after which the prayer which follows may be c
repeated by the chaplain :) c
Our Father, who art In Heaven, give ear. '
we pray Thee, to this our humble suppiiea- '
tlon. We desire in this the hour of chasten- \
Ing and trial to lift our hearts to Thee In '
thatsnirit of submission, humility and de- I1
votlon Dint will be most, acceptable In Thy 1
sight. Help us, Heavenly Father, to realize "
Thy infinite goodness ami boundless mercy I
unto us, that we may from the Innermost re- a
cesses of the heart exclaim, Holy! Holy! v
Holy Lord God on high! Thy will be done s
on earth as It is in Heaven. God of Heaven *
have mercy upon us In this hour of grief, and ?
may llie dark cloud that is now upon us
have a silver lining. May this, Thy rod, lead
us to interpret Thy Will correctly, and prove
a source ol Joy by bringing us closer to Thee. .
Most meiciful God, since death is the com- '
inon lot of all, have mercy upon us and grant
us Thy spirit to guide and direct us in the 1
hour of temptation and trial, that we may so '
live that when Thy summons comes to die i1
we may recclve Thy blessed assurance, "Well
drtne, thou good and faithful servant, enter !
into the Joys prepared for thee." Our Father, (
God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, hear us in '
this our prayer, for the sake of Thine only
Son, Jeans Christ our llodeemer, who suffered 1
In the flesh, was crucified, died and was bur- J
led, and rose again on the third day and as- 1
ceuried Into Heaven,all that we might approach
Thy throne of grace. For His sake (
have mercy upon us and be with us through 1
life, and finally save us. Amen.
There is a whole world of differ- j
"'" o IimUi'bpii Hip North iiihI South ,
poles. <
Miss Mary Proctor daughter of the j
late Richard A. Proctor, is gaining a
reputation as a writer for the newspapers.
Her contributions are in the >
form of scientific papers.
New York, Sept. 4.?A dispatch i
from Shanghai says : The British Con- 1
sulate at Ye Hang has been destroyed
by a mob which attacked the Europeans
last Tuesday.
The Legislature ill Maine has enacti
ed a law which requires all public
school-teachers to devote some time
each week to teaching kindness to animals.
Twenty-four foreign nations have
formally accepted the invitation to
take part in the Chicago fair, ltussia,
Turkey, Denmark, Persia and Kgypt
are recent additions to the list.
At a recent meeting of the American
Peace Society, in Poston, Pishop
0. P. Fitzgerald was appointed a delegate
to the World's Peace Convention,
I to be held ill Rome in November next,
and will either go or send a paper to be
[ read before that body.
! During 1890 there were built in the
11 ited States 8,'">00 churches, ministers
to the number of 4,900 were ordained, |
and a membership in all denominations
. of 1,09(1,000 added.
Two men found an adder in a
i Wilkesbarre, Pa., cemetery recently.
One held the adder close to the ground
[ with a st'ck while his companion ran
a timothy stick through the stem of
1 his clay pipe and deposited the nicotine
. in the snake's mouth. In three minl
utes the snake was dead.
i During the present summer Jewish
immigrants from Russia have been arriving
in New York at the rate of two
thousand u week, and the newcomers
during the year thus far have been
L over fifty thousand men, women and
r children.
The porter of the Grand Pacific
Hotel, in Chicago, has retired with a
. fortune of $100,000, accumulated from
tips given hint by guests of the house.
The men who contributed to it are still
- struggling io keep the wolf from the
Jj: door.
There is an average of nine murders
a week in this country committed by
B drunken men, and to be directly traced
. to whiskey. Yet with this fearful rec[
ord?and it is only one count in the inx
dictment?there are people who say !
l "Do not agitate prohibition !"
LIGHT ON A DARK SUBJECT- \
| si
REPORT OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON | *
THE SUB-TREASURY BILL. m
vl
1.1
Snbnii in Hie Nviiale ol Hie "!
lulled MUK's, i oitriiiiry IT, i
by Ken 111 or H or rill, from (lie Coin* J Sl
mitfep on Finnncc.
The Senate bill (452S) entitled "A bill to provide
lie Government with menus RuUieient to supply the
lational want of a' sound circulating modlum.apicrira
in lie intended to supply :i paper legal-tender ni
urreney by permitting nnv owners of land to give a c<j
ien itpiui the same tor lit) years to the United States w
Jovernnient, for which the mortgager is to receive bj
rual-teiider paper currency and be charged 2 per en
eiit. interest thereon. This measure is ol unlimited
liagliltude and demands serious consideration from
he high and estimable character of its distinguished .
itthor. Several bills and petitions have been presen- J?
ed from other sources equally ambitious, intended er
o cure all financial evils from which the nation Is 10
opposed to sutler, and mainly differing trom the bill t?'r
icre considered in nlfering^rictiltiiral products for rr
vcuritv Instead of land. I'"
The bill, of course. appeals to the owners of land t"
i>r its support, ns It coiifd nut be made available to cc
ny otlu-r class, not to mechanics and laborers, inncli
i'ss to merchants ami manufacturers. Land-ownfers ?r
nr much the larger part, it is believed, nre too intel- J'11
igetit ami prudent to conduct tlvlr affairs In such "e
naniier as iv lie com|iellcd to cover* their homestead c"
rilh a mortgage. Kv??n young men at starting in ('s
lie, when borrowed capital is useful and necessary, 'll
lo not intend to remain long in debt, certatnlv not for "J0
0 years. ,lc
If the opportunity were offered to all land owners 'n
it obtain a loan at even a less rate than our own or
ny national government now pays, it is possible that P'
1 uiight inspire improvident habits and extravagant O
r speculative ventures in the .class of our country- *"i
iieii now almost exempt from such temptations.
The bill we have under consideration is plainly nc
uundeJ on the principle put forth more than a cen- tt"
ury ago by the notorious John Law, which is set 111
>rth in the following terms : w
"That il a paper currency, not convertible into w
pccie.be tiased or secured upon any article of value, afncli
its land, aud be issued to an extent not greater cl
linn the value in specie of such article, such paper "r
uri eiicy will not be depreciated in comparison to
pecio." or
Tins certainly- embodies the leading principle of
he bill upon which this report is based, that is to hl
ay, of making land property security for national
mm, and also for an unlimited issue of a legal-tender u=
ircuiation of paper money.
[KCKI.KSS FINANCIAL KX l'KKXMKNTS E.NII IN |u
IJANKItiri'TSV AND NATIONAL DISASTEIt. IK
Many persons may be captivated with the plausL oa
lo idea.of obtaining cheap loans and plenty of uioney .
n easy terms, but the experience of enlightened na- ,n
ions shows wherever such reckless financial expert- ?1
aenUs have been tried that they have ended in couir P"
nercial crises, bankruptcy, and general national <lls->
ster. The principle is unsound and can not bring 01
jrth good fruit. ev
m
11.I.-liOltN NATIONAL. EXAMPLES.
It may not be improper to refer briefly to some of ch
he ill-born national examples which* conclusively th
leinoi.stricte the inexpedience that has always atten- 'h
ed all such measures, and their final ruinous eatus- sa
rophc. " pr
THE MISSISSIPPT SCHEME.
The Mississippi scheme was started in Paris in 1717 sa
y John Law, embracing trade and other privileges, lai
nd finally amalgamated with the national bank, qj
rlilch Issued an immense amount of paper. Law
ad promised annual returns of 120 per cent. The w
tuck at first tose to an enormous premium. Upon lei
he issue of 50,000 new shares there were 300,000 ap- rj,
illeants. Soon, however, gold began to be hoarded, c?
nd though laws were passed to punish all persons to
vho were found in possession of a sum beyond a th
Ixed amount, large sums were sent out of the coun- y,
ry. to Iti'lirium and England, for safe keeping. In
7211 the bank stopped payment and the whole
cbcme collapsed, bringing ruin upon all of the great
nultitudc who had unwisely put faith in the flnan- >,]
lal soundness nnd Integrity of the Mississippi b,:
cheme. Law immediately tied the country. lei
TIIE FRENCH PLAN. a I
The insurmountable disorder of the French flnan- ?
es, and annual excess of expenditures beyond re- P*
eipts, without doubt was the first cause of the J"
I'rencii Revolution. Fresh loans were required for '
he treasury every year. The nobles and clergy
I'nniil nut consent to be taxed, and lenders at last re- "
used to lend. The King and Queen sent all their 111
ilntu to be inplted down, but It was insuilicient for 8
he public expenditures. The treatise of John Law eJ
n "Money and Trade" had been translated inio
>'rench, and at length Talleyrand brought forward
nd carried his measure for the confiscation of the '
rhole ecclesiastical property of the Kingdom, re- aI
c-rvinc a pension to the clergy, ami appropriating .
rliat was est!mated nt ?8 0,000,000 to uld tho jiubllc
leccssittes.
SAI.K OF CJIt'RC'II I'KOI'ERTY. til
In December 1769, the assembly ordered a sale of T
hurch and crown property to the a'mount of ?10,000,- It
UK) and decreed that a paper currency should be crea- &
ed of that amount, bearing 5 per cent. Interest, und
ailed assignnts, for the redemption of which the l'<
ooliscated lands were to be sold. N.tt to enter Into di
ill the progrosslve steps taken, in less than 5 months, 0J
ty another decree, the assignats were declared a 1c- 1?
ral tender, with Interest at-1J per cent. The public 01
lebt rapidly Increased, and In 1790 new assignats ct
verc created of double the amount. Fur- tl
her large amount were created in 1791?'92, and
n 1793 the a<signats were at a discount of 30 per s'
:ent. Shopkeepers refused tliuin for prime neeessi- al
,ies and their shops were plundered in general riots. P1
With tho creation of more assignats in 1793 the
tiint'.tnHun (I vpurs' imnrlsonnient to any
wrson who should sell assagnats "at less than their
lomlnal value, or^tnnke any difference In price whoth- ;
jr paid in paper or specie. A sliver franc got to he J1
ivorth six In paper. The penalties for making any ,
lifference in prico were greatly Increased and
kath was decreed agaln6t all who kept back from ?
public sale articles of first necessity. Trade and pro- ^
luetioii nearly ceased. Public functionaries could 8'
no longer live on their salaries arid one-third of the al
iriny deserted. ^
THEY HEAItD SOMETHING DR01'.
In 1795 the assignats in nominal value amounted to ft
?1,S00,000,000, and had fallen to one-thousandth part
nf their nominal value. Finally the Government re- b
fused to part with the national domain at the depreci- b
sted value of their paper currency, and destroyed it p
?t u silicic blow, by decreeing *'that anyone might tl
make bargains in whatever currency he pleased." d
Tims dropped out of circulation, perhaps, the largest ti
batch of legal-tender pa her currency ever created, p
notwithstanding it was based upon land security l!
and supported by all the terrors of national pow- s
er. b
THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC AS A RANKER. ?
The Argentine Republic established In 1886 a great v
national mortgage bank to makc loans on the liypoth* v
ccatloll of real estate. The minister of finance re- v
garded it as "a great boon to the people for the reason j,
that land is a great patrimony, tin- immense capital v
of the country, and every facility," he said, ''should 8
be given to mobilize the capital und increase its vulue."
Its functions were not t? loan money on
mortgage, but to issue transferable mortgage bonds
on the execution of mortgages in its favor, which il
were put on the market for what they would tetch, 1
with national guarantees to the holder the service li
of interest nrnl amortization. t
The bonds were mrde payable to bearer and bore r
interest at not exceeding 8 per cent., and with an an- f
mini sinking fund for their ultimate pa/inentof not
exceeding2 per cent. The chairman and directors u
were appointed by the President of the I?< public, a
The bunk was to make no loan of less than $1,000 nor u
above The mortgage extended to nil other li
property of the mortgagee, though not mentioned in <j
the" mortgage, and no loan was to be granted for more
than half the value of the property mortgaged. A lj
delay of over CO days In the payment of the hypothe- f
eary obligation uiilhori/.ed the bank to put up for ]
sale at public auction the property mortgaged, without
any leeul proceedings, and to award it to the
highest bidder. <1
SIIAME AND DISASTER. ?
It Is not necessary to say that the fin tncia! scheme
of the Argentine Republic has lieeii hardly more lorlunate
than that of John Law, or thun that of the assignats
of France, and has brought shame and disaster
upon the credit of the Argentine Republic. The inllalted
paper money market became easy for snecu.
lators, but si>ecie payments were soon suspended,
gold rose to over *00 per cent, preillluui and suddenly .
went out of the ccuntry to pay balances of trade and ,
interest on foreign bonds, and the Argentine national j
lank notes are now worthy only oO cents on the dollar.
t
The Argentine Government is grievously embarrassed
and now |iroposes to obtain relief by the extraordinary
measure ol offering for sale in Europe at
public auction no less than 24,(hi0 square leagues of
laud ill their recently organized territories at a minimum
price ot $2 in sold per hectare, or about $1.25
per ucre. These lands, according t?: the Uuell'is Ay- '
res Herald, are situated in Terra del Kuego, or ill ter- I
l itories where the best lands have already been dis- ^
posed of in large tracts, or where only swauip lands
remain unsold, anil would not attract eager bidders ^
among foreigners, ]
From tills desperate measure they hoped to have s
raised $l-.Ml,(H)0,QiiO or gold to be deposited in the V
mint for tlie eouverslon of the Argentine national J
bank notes. The emergency it appears was great, but i
il is very iikeij gray In.irs will cover the heads of ]
the holders of these notes long before the notes will ^
be redeemed either in gold or silver.
t
NO'l'Altr.K EX V.MI't.S AT HOME. j
The United S'ates in its infancy furnished a notable i
exampi-j of the fallacy of any attempt to maintain a '
(,'olitiuelital paper eurreney at par with specie, J
though secui'i'd by the honor and loyalty of the whole J
Republic and l>v Ha vast amount of landed property,
upported also by the alui"st assured Independence '
r the Government, aided as It was by France, as bis>ry
lias not fulled to record tbc fact that in 1780, in
>ite of all that Congress, Washington, Adams, and
rnnklia could do to uphold its credit, a pair of boots
>ld for ?<5fi,000 in Continental paper money, and a
liiper for four persons, for whicli $10 was the usual
rice, costi;50.000 in Continental currency. Hence
oso a new meaning to the word, which still surives,
and an American tlnds no contemptuous
lirase by which he can indicate more pointedly the
tier wor'blessness of anything than to say, "it Is not
ortli u continental."
A fr?slier example may also be cited. The United
Lates legal-tender paper, issued in 1S&2, at once fell
a.? fomn ts^T. It! rfinn Kalnn < rv 1 GflA
ben it required $'2.S5 ot' paper to purchase $1 of
>li), worth niucfc less than one-half its nominal
nount. The depreciation, though yearly diminishg,
continued lonjr after ihe victory over rebellion,
Hwithstamiing all < ( <>ur customs revenue was relived
in gold and after the honw of the country
as rdetlped by the net of Congress iu 1859, approved
r President Grant, to pay all of our ?1ebts in
>in.
INSCKMOUNTAHLK OBJ KCTIONS.
These examples would s?em to prove that the obetiousto
the main principles of the bill here consid.
ed are so fundamental as to make it unnecessary to
view its details; for. If It were constructed with the
oatest stti 11 and ability, these objections would still
main insurmountable. The circulating value of a
H?er currency can only be maintained bv Its converJility
into speeie at the will of the Lolder, and exss
insures its depreciation.
iiut the bill in many of its details bristles with othobjections.
We have twice chartered a national
.nk, though the constitutional power to do so has
en more or less disputed; but It bos never been
ntendeil that the Government can constltutianally
tnbllshed within itself a bank of lBSue and loaning
irpsses. It is proposed by this bill to establish a
nking Institution in ihe Treasury Department, nnt
the name of the Land Loan Bureau, which
ight surpass in number and anjonnt of its accounts
be opened with those to be authorized to make apicatlons
for loans or to receive and deposit Treasunotes,
any banking institution existing either in
urope or America.
Applications are to be received for loans in sums of
>t less than *500 or fur *5,000,000 (as the maximum
nonnt Is unrestricted), and each person is to be anially
charged with '2 per cent, interest and credited
Ith all payments made. The borrowers may pay the
bole or any part thereof, not less than 25 per cent,
any time; and when making such payment rfiay
ectln writing to make the security a continuing
le for 20 years, and thereafter may at bis pleasure
iposlt or withdraw by checks the full amount of the
Iginal loan.
Kvery person who is a eitfzen of the United
Uites, or ^ho has declared his intentions to beooms
ich, and who is the owner in fee of nninsninbered
:rlcultural land, may (lie his application for a loan,
id when approved receive the amount in Treasury
jtus ; that the Treasurer of the United States is to
ivo prlnt?<l on<l signed $100,000,000 of Treasury
iti'S and such additional amounts from time to time
. may be necessary.
Manifestly tho plan covers every county and town
the United Stales, and if accounts were to be
icned In all, instead of a bureau in the Treasury deirtment,
it would require to hold the chief and his
ibordlnates of this collossal banking establishment a
lilding by Itself, and ot a greater magnitude than
en that of the War, State, and Navy Departs
ents.
It is further provided that a chief and a deputy
ilef of this so-called bureau shall be appointed by
e President, by and with the advice ana consent of
e Senate, onft with (6,000 and the other with $5,000
lary. But.the chief of tho bureau, with the ap?
oval of the Secretary of the Treasury, is to sprint
such subordinate officers as may he necessary to
rry out the provisions of the act and to fix their
laries, but not to exceed the salaries paid for simir
clerical services in the Treasury Deportent.
The duties of many of these subordinate officers
ould not bo inferior to that ot Treasurer, Comptrolp
of (TniTPnp.tr ft?* "Hlrprtfir nf flip mint anno.
jr as to responsibility to Treasury auditors and
mptrolleru; and yet, unlike to all these, tbey are
be appointed without the consent of the .Senate by
e chief of the bureau, with the approval of the
;cretiiry of the Treasury.
NO SURPLUS MONEY.
The Government of the United States has no surus
of money, nor Is it likely to have any, to lend to
irrowers at any rnte of Interest, and certainly not at
is wan half the rate It is now paying. There is not
millionaire in the whole country who would loan at
per cent, on the security to be offered. But it ia
>w proposed that the Government, not in fact hav2
any money to lend, shall lend Its own notes and
uke them by law a legal tender, receivable in liea of
ildor any other lawful money for all private debts,
xee. excises, public lands, and all demands owing by
e United States, except interest on the public aebt
id in redemption of the national currency In othwords,
the Treasury notes to be issued upon liens
' land may be used as legal tender for everything,
ren for the redemption of all our national currency,
it such notes are not to be redeemable in coin or
lything else.
A large owner of unincumbered land might apply
r a loan of $1000,000 and reloan it in smaller
nounts at a much higher rate than be paid. Where
ie constitutional power Is lodged which authorizes
ic Government to loan money or to create In the
reasury Department a gigantic banking institution
will be difficult to point out, and that such power
dsts may safely be denied.
When the applicant shall have filed his application,
> most deposit a sum sufficient to pay an expert to
schargo the duties of a person learned In the law to
camine and make an abstract of legal title to the
nd which is to be hypothecated, and also to pay one
more appraisers of the land. This may be dlfflilt
as well as onerous. When a copy of the appllcaon
is filed, with a description of the land, in the ofto
of the recorder of the county in which the land is
tuated, It Is to constitute without other record a parnount
lien upon the same against all subsequent
.irehafters and Incumbrances.
DIFFICULTIES IN THE WAY.
xii iimuy dw;cd jjiyuicoi>cuu ngiuo UBTO Dt'eD
id, and in some States attachments and tbe recorded
idgments of their courts create a lien upon real esite.
but beyond this only a deed strictly according
i the statutes of the State will create any lien or
incel any lien on mortgage, and the authority of
undress to odd to or diminish, or to declare what
mil be and what shall Dot be'a paramount lien upon
r?y real estate will be everywhere dlspated. In
ises oi foreclosure it is proposed that the lien shall
continue until tbe money secured, with the Inter>t
and costs and leeal charges of collection, has been
illy repaid and satisfied.1'
The attorney and counsel fees are to be 5 per cent.,
ut in no case to exceed $500. The certificate o(the
ureau chief, when tbe loan and costs have all been
aid, is to be sent to the recorder, and to operate as
lie discharge of the lien; but when the loan has been
iminisbed or again increased, no means of aaoerilnmcnt
of tlie amount of the Hen appears to be
rovided. As the attorneys would be employed at
lie different counties of tbe State they would b?
uch as would be willing to accept the lees provided
y law. In cases of foreclosure the law and the
ourts do not give final possession of the property to
lie plaintiff in less than 2 years, and there is no proision
made as to what tbe Government shall do
Mth any land, should any fall into its possewlon,rb'ether
to keep it, sell it, or give It away in free
omestcuds, uud it is probable that the Government
irlUiln 20 years would become a large owner of unliable
real estate.
KATHER TOO PATERNAL.
Any person not a citizen, but who has declared bin
ntcntlon to become such, may apply for a loan and
'rensury notes, if he Is the owner of unincumbered
ind. That land may be only tbe 160 acres Just entered
under the homestead law. This would seem
ntlier too paternal. Section 12, of the proposed kill
iroyitfes:
"If upon the land described there is an existing lien
ir Incumbrance to an amount less than the loan
ought una granted, then the land shall be deemed
inincuinbered, but Instead of paying tbo amount
nuned to the applicant, tbe incumbrance Is to be paid
iff and charged to tbo applicant." .
This throws upon tbo land-loan bureau additional
abor, responsibility, and expense of transmitting
unds to pay off tbe incumbrance and also of obtainng
its legal cancellation.
The lust section of the bill declares?
"That the rule of tbe common law, that statutes in
lerogatlnn thereof aro to be strictly construed
.hall have no application to this act."
This rule is, however, only applied to criminal
itatutPH, while other general statutes are construed
.ccording to their plain and obvious meaning, when
cad by a man of ordinary intelligence. Tbe proportion
here, therefore, is unnecessary, and would seem
inly to Invito a latltudinarlan construction of the
ict.
Some of the minor objections to the bill might perinps
be removed by amendment, but the objections to
ts substance, constitutionality, and to the principle
nvolved, are Ineradicable.
The committee, therefore, report adversely upon
he bill, and recommend its indefinite postponenent.
Susi is dead. And who is he? only
m African. But he deserves a monuneut.
The Christian world owes this
ibscure black man its gratitude. He
md another servant carried Dr.
Livingstone's dead body ou their
ihouldcrs fifteen hundred miles,
hrough a hostile country and restored
t to his friends in England. It was a
herculean labor, and one of love.
kVhat courageous, self-sacrificing devoiou
! This hero has just passed away.
Se has left us an example worthy of
he purest Christianity. Livingstone
'ouudhim a gross idolater; he left
iiin an humble Christian, capable of
Apostolic labors.
4