Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1877-08-30
SECRET ORDERS OF AGITATORS.
Some Of the Organizations In {
Pittsburg Their Sympathy
and Objects-The Junior
Sons of'76.

oOlIlo Vi buo NSTStb11ESJIOuS III =
Pittsburg Their Sympathy
and Objects-The Junior
Sons OF TO.
From thr Pittsburg Telegraph,
The agitation in labor circles dur
ing the past three years, and the
busy, cunning work of scheming
men, who seek aggran dizement by
exciting the preiudices of the ignor-
ant among the lower classes, has
caused the outgrowth of numerous
organizations which, while working
independently, have the same ulti-
mate object in view, and propose 10
accomplish this purpose through the
same channel, namely, the ballot
box. The recent troubles i'm this
city and elsewhere have given q
great impetus to the growth OF these
organizatio ms, and workingmen by
the hundreds are paying their neces.
sary dues aud taking the strange
oaths which, with their explanatory
adjuncts, seems to lend a dignity to
the ordar. When the Ancient Or
der of United Workmen was first
started it had for it's prime object
the liberation OF labor from its bond
age TO capital, but this order soon
lapsed into 3 mutual assurance So
ciety, and has now a vast member
ship. The Soyereigns or Industry
are nearly as mild i'm their instruc-
tipn5, though smacki ng somewhat
more strongly of antagonism to
capital. The. Bees is a society of re-
cent organization, whose member
ship Is confined almost wholly to this
county ar present. One Prysock, of
Allegheny, is or was the head CEN
ire. He is illitterate to the last de-
gree, cannot even read or write, but
invented remarkable cipher, which
holds inviolable the secrets of the
order. Prysock has worked exten.
sively among the miners of the
county, and probably has made
pretty good thing ont Of it. The
oaths contain ex xpressions Of the bis
terest enmity toward capitalists,
and look upon vic.Sssce as excusa-
BILE if the ballot is not sufficient in
the accomplish ment of their object.
A slightly m ore dignihed order is
one whose name is unknown to any
but members, but which is symbol
lied by FIVE stars. It has probably
been productive of more sedition in
the ranks of workingmen than any
other order.
The Junior Sons of '76 is the most
extensive order among workingmen
In the State. It was organized SIM
ultaneously in BE aver, Dauphin and
other counties about eighteen
months ago. At present all these
organizations, except the first nam.
ed, are drawn closely together, their
rituals are similar and coalition is
probable. At least they viii work
together in all movements, political
or otherwise, this autumn. An in
telligent, sagacious number of at
least three of these organizations in
formed Telegraph reporter this
morning that the best, most intelli-
gent and indus trious workingmen
are not active workers In these or
ders, but that they are captured by
the ignorant. prejudieed, hypocriti-
cal, scheming and vicious, and must.
il not exposed ard broken mp, create
serious trouble.
Inthe initial ory ceremonies of
this order the candidate is introduc-
ed as s'a st ranger, who wishes to es-
cape from the servitude and bondage
OF capitalists and their tools, cor.
rupt politicians and find a home OF
freedom, secu re from those who rob
him Of the bread that he earns"
lie is made TO swear that ST viii
never communicate what may hear
or see in this or any other lodge of
the Junior s ons of '76, unless it be
to brother in good standing in this
order. and IL I should thus perjure
myself, viii willingly submit myself
to all the pains and penalties pre-
scribed by this order, SO help me
God p The ritual is promulgated
by a committee consisting of B. L.
Batcheler, of Massachusetts; Charles
Alcott, Of Philadelphia; James
Thompson, of Delaware; w. M.
Foltenbaugh, Of Pennsylvania; J. |
W. Zeigler. of Illinois; Al. Lar
nord, of Michigan; A. Sternberg,
of Pennsylvania, and ID. 8. Dun
ham, of Hartford. Conn.