The national Republican., 1869-02-25

DowS AMONG IHE DEAD MKs.-A meet
ing Of the undertaken Of this city was held
last night at Gilbert's Building, on r street,
between Ninth and Tenth streets. II was
understood that the assembly was called to-
gether TO take the preliminary steps towards
forming an association for the protection Of
the trade, TO establish q cash system, and
prepare a "black list" OF those parties who
have been 80 unfortunate rs TO have re-
mems bones" and who are either 90 dishonest
OF 90 poor as not to be able TO settle 'that
little BILL" AT the opening Of the meeting
n careful survey Of all present was taken,
and Knight Of the pcnc.i,n employed on
an afternoon contemporary was dlscried,
note book In hand. snrgiy ensconced In one
corner Of the room. Hls physlognomy not
being eonsidered suhiclent,y grave, or the
fact that he was no, attlred IN the customary
suit OF black, caused Immediate suspicion,
and amer consultation, q committee OF one
was appointed to make the necessary ex-
animation. .rrH
With the solemnity well becoming hi,
solemn occupation, the committeeman nd
dressed 10 our brother reporter the serioui
question, are you an undertaken which In.
quiry was spoken In a sepulchral tone, upot
being told that ga chiefs amang yc takir
notes," the committeeman retreated In good
order to await reinforcements, which being
furnished, the "chiel" was politely requested
TO leave.
Realizing the delicate position In which h,
was placed and the facilities possessed b,
the company present to carry his body Il
the "bone-yard," the aforesaid akuight
deemed that he had better retire, remarkinl
as he left that he thought he had come /,
the right place, as reporters arc always con
sidercd "dcad-heads," and he had suppose,
that the dabblers In dead mems bones woul,
have no objection TO his presence.
Our reporter, not informed Of the expul
sion Of his eonfrers, made application for NJ
opportunity 10 enlighten tho readers Of tn
REPUBLICAN as TO the ability Of these graz
men to lcgislate, but met col reception
the meeting being 90 engaged In rnttling tn
dry bones Of those for whose interment the
had not been paid, that our representatly
was soon satisfied he would not be allowo
to obtain an '4tem." II Is stated, however
that many OF those "who have gone before,
and their immediate relatives, were talke,
over by the undertakers who were present
and notes taken Of those who have not beci
paid for.
Tho Experiences" as related last nigh
were horrifylng In the extreme, and the re
suit proves that the undertakers Of the cit
have rs many "bad debts" as other busines
men Of the community. A permanent OF
ganization will be perfected In the course o
a week or two, and then our people will I'm,
1t necessary to have ready, In the house, tn
wherewlth to pay their funeral expenses be
fore they "shufiie of this mortal COLL" a
the undcrtakcrs are determined to do casl
business, IL Il should be necessary to reluir
payment for the Sob" In advance. Tn
system adopted by Toodles, In that Of pur
chasing a ready-made coffin and keeping l
on your premises, would be good one fo
those whose means are limited. That woult
insure burial case anyhow, and may be a
livery stable-keeper would furnish hcarse
and hacks son time"