Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1859-03-18
MECHANICS AND LAuonnns, nrAD.
BrLInvur, Feb. IS, 1859.


Mn. EpIToR;--Much is being done in tho
present ago toward tho elevation. Of
the race, religiously and intellectually, but
il appears to me not enough for tho physic-
al man.
The physical claims Of men are usually
the iucitiug causes of vice and crime.---
Place man beyond want and he will not
steal. Take away the motive and he will
not be likely to lie. Therefore it seems
to me that all well directed efforts toward
placing men above suffering, and the antic-
ipation of it, is a good to both the physical
and tho spiritual condition of man.
The object of this letter is to awaken in
the minds of those who may read it. this
inquiry; whether we may not do much good
with comparatively little outlay in an Or
ganized, we'll directed effort toward securing
homes for those who now pay out large
portion of their earnings for rent and many
of whom after years of toll have given up
in despair tho idea of ever "sittng under
their own vino and fig tree" or enjoying the
flower scented air of the morning in his
own beautiful garden.
How many noblo-hearted aspiring young
mechanics and laborers, have thus yielded
to discouragement, and now, instead of lay
ing by the little which remains of their
families, we find them around saloons, de-
voting their little surplus to buying beer,
liquor, cigars, &c.
Now will try to make few suggestions
as to how these spare dimes might be res
oued from such u fate, and instead of prov
ing curse, and promoting vice, be the
cause of making many a we'll disposed heart
leap for JOY.
| will, to the extent Of my ability, block
out in rough way, plan for concert Of
action in this direction, which of course may
need modifying and smoothing off.
We, mechanics and laborers of Fremont
and vicinity form ourselves into a society to
be called -, for the purpose of aiding
each other to obtain homes, dc.
l. Any married man of steady habits
may become a member of this society on
signing the constitution and bylaws Of this
society, and paying into the treasury the
sum of $500.
2. Each member of the society will be
required to pay into the treasury at least
fifty cents each week, and as much more as
he wishes or is able, which shall be credited
to him.
8. The receipts Of this society after pay
ing the necessary expenses, shall be appro-
priated to securing homes for its mombers
4. The membe. credited with the largest
amount, to have the preference in the dis.
tributions made from time to tiIne.
5. No momber shall be entitled to a
homestead from the society which shall cost
moro than five hundred dollars.
8. All property donated by the society,
shall bo held in security by it, until the re.
ceiyer shall have paid into the treasury, the
cost of such property, and six per cent. in.
terest on the amount from the time it was
bestowed, when he shall receive clear ii
tie of the same.
Z. Any member may withdraw from the
society by making his request in writing
and shall be entitled to the amount he ha:
paid in, above the amount charged to him
less six per cent,
8. Any member may be expelled from
the society by vote of twothrds of the
members present, at a regular meeting o
the society, for the following olfenses;
l. Refusing to pay dues.
2. Repeated drunkenness.
8. Gross immortality; in which case he
shall be entitled as in articlc7.
8. Every momber shall be entitled tc
care in sickness, and such pecuniary aid a
he may need. The amount used for hi
benefit to be charged to his account
have given here mere outline; but thc
attainment of homes for all of these classes
seems practicable, under some such organi
zation. Let US make few figures:
You have in Fremont one hundred mel
of this class. One hundred paying $500
each, would buy home for one family t,
start with. If only fifty cents week b,
paid by each member that will furnish
hom" worth $500, every ten weeks
AS the members are released from rent
and inspired with a love of home, and SO
free from tho habit of spending their tim
and money in grog shops, l believe thes
savings would fall into the treasury NOR
and more rapidly, till every member in
brief period would find himself in possession
of home as if by magic Who canno
save so cents week. And how man
spend three times that amount for unuec
essary and hurtful things! F. A. w.
4 The above communication was receive,
some time since but had been mislaid. w
hardly think the plan can be realized stil