The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-01-10
Saturday January 10. 1874.
Patrons Of Industry.
From the Pacific Rural Press, Nov. 8.

Under the above head we last week
threw out the suggested that the mecnan-
les of this country would do well to unite
in some organization similar to that which
has met with such marked success among
the farmers, under the title OF Patrons OF
Husbandry," shutting out from their
councils all who do not sustain "a talr NOR
al character. and all such as make politics
n trade or a specially. At the same time
we suggested patrons of Industry, as
an appropriate name for such an organiza-
ton. ia
And now, less than week after sala
publication, we have received New 1orA
journal from which we learn that oniy
three or four months since re" earnesI
workmen of that city met Tor .ne PURPOSE
of considering and setting on ioot tne very
thing suggested and so well dld tney 90
their work that upwards OF ~ lodges nave
already been formed, and a National Lodge
was organized on the It'll OF October Just
passed.
The work of the Order is secret. and
conducted with as little ceremony as is
compatible with such an organization.
Neither politics nor religion can be intro
duced into the meetings, and no politician
or speculator is eligible to membership.
~
id examination as to character and SYM
patty with the movement before their
names can be even proposed for accep-
lance. The working of the Order and the
results sought therefrOm are similar to
those adopted and sought for by the Pa
irons of Husbandry."
As is the practice with the Patrons OF
Husbandry and to the end that the Pa
irons of Industry may also become in the
highest degree social, and of character
to improve and elevate the moral standard
of its members. this Order also admits both
sexes to membership, and requires at least
two women to act as officers in each lodge.
No lodge can be organized without them.
In all organizations where men are asso-
ciated with their wives and daughters and
sisters, it is safe to infer that pure NOR
al atmosphere must prevail. The Order
co-operates in business matters, especially
in the matter of purchasing, whereby the
extortionate profits of INSCRIPTIONS agents
and middemen are saved to the member
ship.
Although not political in its character,
the members of the Order, like those OF
its sister institution, expect nevertheless, in
their individual capacity to employ the bal
lot as an important aid for redressing the
wrongs which have been heaped upon the
working classes The Order, as body
while fully recognizing the cardinal princi
pie OF strict LOYALTY to the laws of the
country, proposes to stand as a uniteC
phalanx against all kinds of misrule anC
against all persons or organizations which
seek to Cypress the industrial portion O
the country with unjust taxes or burthen'
OF any kind. 1t proposes to NOW dowr
monopoly and eXtOrtiOn everywhere
Its motto is by industry we thrive" B,
union it expects success. In secrecy
possesses power and in right it has might
1t believes that the prosperity of the in
dustrial masses is the true road to the hap
piness OF a people.
Local lodges confer three degrees-Fo
men: Apprentice, LabOrer Journeyman
For women Apprentice, Maiden, Matron
The officers are Master Workman, w DIRK
man, Helper, Laborer, Secretary, Treas
urer, Lodge Keeper, W atchman, Stewards
and Workwoman.
The State Lodge is composed of Maste
Workmen and Past Master Werkmen, ant
their wives who havGociken tho third de
gree, The National lodge is composed c
the Masters and Past Masters of the Stat
lodges.
The rituals and all the work is simple
and the expenses of the maintenance of tn
Order light Eight men and two wome
constitute a subordinate lodge, and te
lodges a State lodge There are no oath
administered by the Order-members ar
obligated upon their sacred honor an
written pledge. Much benefit it IS sal
has already been derived in New Yorl
from cooperative business matters set Q
foot by the Order, and the membership
claimed to be increasing so rapidly that
is expected that fully 900 lodges will |
organized in New York city and vicinit
by early spring. The membership is a
ready set down at about 5000.
A letter dated Oct 2lst, written by I'll
Secretary of the National Lodge, whic
was organized Oct, Eth, says that over 4
applications for charters have been receive
in a single week-all charters now emana
from the National Organization.
If the Order continues in good hands ar
is administered strictly on the principles S
forth in the Constitution, as published, "
see no reason why it should not become ;
much power for good among our bret
rem of the shop as the Patrons OF Husba
dry has already become among the tile
of the soil, and evidently take the place
of all other organizations designed for Il
the social and national benefit of mechanic
miners and laborers in general, other tn;
farmers. Both of these Orders are wor
ing for a common end, and each may, al
no doubt toiU cooperate to a greater
less extent with the other in many thin
for their mutual benefit We hope to he
of its being planted on this coast at
early day.