Connecticut western news., 1877-12-21
THE MENNONITES IN MANITOBA.
The Thrifty Lutheran Quakers Who are
 Making Homes in America.

THE MENNONITES IN MANITOBA. The Thrifty Lutheran Quakers Who nre
 MakIug Homes in Americn. g@
 The Mennonite reservation east of the Red rlver, and about twenty-five miles southeast of Winnipeg, is now as we'll populated as any district of the Province of Manitoba, and the most recent immi- grafton has been directed to reservation of seventeen townships adjoining the frontier, and extending west of Red river to Pembina Mountain. The set tiement on the reservation first men, toned, called Rat river, consists of $50 families, and on the second reservation, called Dunerln, 45O families have been planted. In addition, thirty-three fami- lies have been settled near Scratching river, and the recent arrival of thirty-five families will go to Dufferin
 Estimating five to a family, the Men non1te settlements of Manitoba contain population of 5,865, which will doubtless increase steadily, but by no means with the volume of the past three years. The Mennonites who still remain in Southern Russia, though inclined to emmigrate, in consequence of the termi- nation of the stipulation exempting them from military services, are not prepared to sacrifice theirpossessions. When they can sell without disadvantage they emi- grate. The exodus IS therefore likely to be gradual, especially as the Russian Government, while insisting on the right of conscription, assents readily to special assignment of service in difference to the Mennonite conscience-suoh as transportation, forestry, and hospital oF the United States, during the late civil war, were subjected to military service, but relieved from bearing arms.
 The emigrating classes of Lutheran Quakers, known as Mennonites, are nei- ther the rich nor the poor, but are an in termedlate body, who are by no means destitute. Mir. Hespeler estimates that the sum brought into the province by the Mennonite immigration is $500, 900, and the recent arrival of thirty-five fam flies brought no less than $1O,OOO.
 There are Mennonite settlements in the there enforced does not admit of special able to present greater inducements for this class of settlers. Here the com munity can organize itself according to its traditions, including the rural village life of the dorf-or dorp, as we believe the word is anglicized-a custom which has great merit socially and industrially and will warrant some fullness of detail. A group of families-usually sixteen in number-take their homesteads sepa- rately, but proceed to throw them to- gether, selecting the most desirable sit uation for a village or dorf, through 1 xryINI In1 ct1n &xr-<> 1o. l and the plot divided into half-acre lots, with assignments for church, school or other public use. A tract most suitable for tlllage is then selected in a block, which is enclosed, and within which each head of family cultivates that portion of his allotment-for there is no com munism- he finds convenient A hay meadow, held also in severalty, is chosen and the remainder of the consoli- dated homesteads is used as range for cattle and other animals, which are in- vafiably attended by herdsman who is paid by the dorf. The village lots and other subdivisions are distributed by lot.
 The houses-only found in the dorf- are comfortable, heated by central brick The same roof usually extends over sep arate lodgings for cattle, although in this respect there is growing ten dency to have different tenements. Each family has a yoke of oxen, two cows, and indefinite poultry. The pig IS not wanting, and there are 500 sheep and 150 horses on the Rat river reserva- tion.
 The municipal Government is sim pie democracy. The heads of families | Ivy is the chief executive officer, constantly conferring with his constituents. Over the whole community is President or Elder, elected for five years, and who, associated with the Mayor of the doris, form a court for the final adjustment of all disputes and the enactment of all may act in all matters relating to a sepa- rate village in concurrence with the Mayor thereof.
 The church organization IS quite dis tinct from the civil administration. The people elect clergyman in each dorf, and bishop to preside over the whole community for periods of five years They receive no st1pends. The teachers of the schools-one held in each village are chosen by the people, but are paid | |" hOuC1deo COuupeuSdulOu MdrrlaS6S are free-no allotment as formerly among the Moravians-an usually contracted early, the parties often remaining with the most prosperous of the parents for a year or two.
 An admirable system of mutual insur. ance against fire prevails, under board of directors elected by the whole com munity. The insured are not restricted in amount, but contribute pro rata in case of any loss.
 The Mayor of a dorf, with two assis tants, constitutes an Orphan Court fol the distribution of estates and the GUS tody of the funds of orphans, for whicE the property of every villager is liable deducting from the said orphan func whatever contributions for the relief o the few destitute orphans may be found necessary.
 AS It Is Nowadays.
 "So you love me, do you:" inquired | O cuoat crir1 If 4bo y,o,1tb o,bo bol hoo,,