The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1879-06-03

jersey soon organized. The work Of
the organization vent on. and 70 still
going, and now ito effects are felt. |
The present Grand MISTER Work |
man" of the entire organization Is
Uriah H. Stephens. Of Philadelphia,
and the Grand Secretary" Is Chas.
H. Litchman. whose headquarters are
ut Marblehead. Mass. from which
place he Gas elected . member OF the
State Legislature through the aid Of
his organization.
WORKINGS OF THE ORDER.
The workings of the order are secret
in character, and it was not until
recently that the existence Of the
society was credited. The greatest
care l. exercised in inducing men IN
Join, and nothing no to the nature OF
the organization Is developed until
the oath oi secrecy Is administered.
The assemblies generally meet in some
out-of the-wsy place. where those vho
have signi6ed their willingness to
become members are reported to the
assembly. composed Of the tradesmsn
of which he is . member. The name
is referred to an investigating
committee. which examines into the
applicants character. and. without his
knowledge. ascertains his ideas Of
secret organizations. If ne is reported
favorably. the person Who 6rst recon-
mendsd him will invite him to attend
the next meeting If the organization.
The applicant remains IN a small ante
room until the assembly completes the
opening ceremonies. which is done by
reading q portion Of the Scriptures.
This done. the lights in the rom are
lowered until it is impossible To
distinguish faces. The grand sage
who Is chairman Of the investigation
committee. now enters the ante room.
disguised with large black cloak and
headcovcr. that completely envelop
the body and head, while the face Is
protected from recognition by black
mask. In a solemn manner. the
following questions are asked, and the
answers recorled in q little hook,
which the investigator holds in his
hand:
"Your name. birthplace, residence
and business
"Do you know If any reason why.
by joining a secret organization
designed to protect labor. and
especially your trade, you would be
committing a wrong against God,
man, or your country"
THE OATHs.
The answers tn these questions are
made known to the assembly. and. If
satisfactory, the sage brings the
bewildered man into the darkened
chamber. In the center of the room.
and surrounded by the offices of the
assembly. and with one hand resting
on Bible. a solemn oath is admins
tered to the applicant, who also
swears that he will not divulge any
Of the secrets If the order. and will
not mention its name, ar the fact of
its existence to any one but those who
he thinks will become members. and,
even in such cases, that nothing
definite is Ia he made known. The
annexed interrogations are put TO the
applicant:
"You will obey the mandates, so
far as they are consistent with law
and order. that are given out by the
assembly,
"You swear tn assist your fellow
members. regardless Of the circum-
stances OF his troubles, whenever you
find one is sick ,"
sIf you notice anything in the
oath that you will not subscribe tGpyou
are asked to state it."
If the candidate objects to anything
material In the oath, and will mt
conform to 1t. he is conducted to the
snte.room and permitted to depart.
and, unless he Sere able to recognize
Q voice. he would not know with
whom he had been talking. If all Is
we'll. the lights are turned OF. and. in
all probability, the newly pledged
knight finds himself surrounded BY
many of his shopmates and other
acquaintauces Of the trade. He is
then given the pass words and secrets
Of the society.
PURPOSES OF THE ORDER.
The purpose of the order is to
maintain q high scale Of wages. and
assist in providing members with
employment. Different means Of
maintaining the scale Of wages are
employed at different times, according
to the circumstances. If q manufac-
turer in a certaiu business gives
notice to his employees that he will.
at . certain date. reduce the wages.
the assembly. composed Of tradesmen
in that line. will consider the matter.
The assembly FIRST inquiries ss tn the
number of men working in the place
Who are members of the organization
and the state of the trade, the time Of
the year. the funds in the treasury.
and other important matters, are all
considered before 1t is resolved to
resist the reduction. If the reduction
b . threatening one. or likely to
extend. the general assembly 10 con-
suited upon the matter. II it 10
decided not to resist. the amount Of
the reduction d placed upon the
minute book, and is ordered to Be
reconsidered ut q certain day in .
season Of the year when this
particular trade is generally in q
prosperous condition. Then. without
the slightest notice to the manufactur.
er, and generally while he Is in q