Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-02-22
Annual weeting State Council of sover-
eiyns of .dusiry.


The annual session of the State Council of Sow
ereigns of Industry, commenced 10 this city yes
terday, meeting in Grand Army Hall. The fol-
lowing officers were present: Z. 5. Morris, Bid
deford, Presidents E. T. Stevens, Auburn, Secre-
tary Joseph Nichols Bath, Treasurer; j. w.
Lang, Brooks, Lecturer; r. S. Torrey, Bangor,
Asst Steward; Gilman Lttlefield Inside Guard.
The meeting was called to order by the Pres-
dent at 10 o'clock.
After the opening in due form, and while wait
for the report of the Committee on Credentials +,
short verbal reports were made by members pres
ent from the several Councils, giving the standing
of each Council These reports were most favor
able. and represent the order in good standing in
the different sections of the State.
The Committee on Credentials reported the mum
Der OF delegates present to be A. The report
was adoped,
The President then made his ldrcs' to the
Council. From this may be gathered that al
though this has MOI been good year for an ilsti-
tuition like that fhe Sovereigns of Industry, ii has
been able to make some advance, aud place itself
on firm basis. The working classes il the State
walk up to their interests, and cooperating
for mutual benefit.
The report of the Treasurer next listened
to- Received during the year. $3.50; pad out,
SAL IS; balance on hand, $500.
The Secretary made his annual report. Total
membership in the State, :, 1853 number of Coun-
ellis in good standing are 40; number organized
during the year, Il; number surrendered char
tiers. /.
The Executive Committee made their report
The Representatives to the National Council
made their report through j. w. Lang of
Brooks.
The State Lecturer made his report
The several reports were accepted and placed
Oh file
Adjourned to afternoon a; LIS o'clock.
AFTERNOON.
Council met in accordance with adjournment
The first business was the election of officers
The following elected to serve for the en-.
suing year.
Piesi1ent-J W. Lang, Brooks.
Vice President-,jeife son Higgins, Augusta.
Secretary ana Treasurer-E. S. Morris, Bidde
ford.
Lecturer-R. s. Torey, Bangor.
StewaId-Gl man Littlcheld, ilampden.
Assistant Stewald-J. w. Small IIampden.
Inside Guad-G &. Burns, Augusta.
Outside Guard-J. b. Mathews, ilallowell.
Executive Committee-J. w. Lang ex ofticio
Gilman Littleheld, VIM S. Dimnock, E. I. Stew
ems James |. Buck
Representatives to National Council-J. W
Lang, ,. j. Treat.
The officers elect were duly installed.
Remarks were made by the President, j. w
Lang.
Remarks were also made by l. F. Chase, ex
| President of the Massachusetts, State Council
| giving some idea of the Order in that State. Mr.
| Chase gave some very interesting facts which, il
| the members carry into their work will serve t.
| build up the Order in this State.
| After remarks by other members of the Order
| the Cuuncil adjourned
EVENING.
! A public meeting was held ct Meonian Hall II
the evening. attended by the Council and many o
our citizens The meeting was called to order b,
A. l.. Blown, who Introduced j. W. Lang, Presi
dent OF the Maine Council, who made a few re
marks in favor of a system of direct exchange be
tween Soveieigns who are farmers and those en-
gagged in mechanical pursuits, dispensing with thu
services of the middle-men.
Mr.. Lang then introduced Hon. |. F. Cha,e
tx President OF the Massachusetts State Council
who said that Massachusetts has to-day los coun
ellis, with membership of 10000, and the frs
couI Gil was organized on the 10th DAY of January
1864. The growth of the order in the country
for the time it has been in existence, has becl
greater than any other secret society. Therefore
there must be something about it that appeals t.
the working classes. And the order embraces al
ella. ses and professions except lawyers the orde
has no need of litigation and never gets into dis
putes. He spoke OF the magnificent results o
thiity-three years of cooper alton in England
where membership of Is persons had increased
to 50 000-all the result of cooperation. Supple
arc pui chased cheaper OF persons clubbing togeth
ell and buying. 1t is the best method for poo
man TO pursue il he wishes to become rich. Tel
men with $40 each can start cooperative store
ten per cent. profit, which they are sure to make
added to the original capital OF 500, will yield il
26 weeks 81 200. These matters he CONSIDERS
the bread and butter side of the question.
Another good feature of the order was its lf
insurance-every member paving an assessmep
of one dollar in case of death of a member, an
his family receiving 81 900 in the event OF hi