The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-09-23
VINO Gsts the hInnexf

~ hAFVeh OF Ihh Ahf0HIS W NlSk MN
THE RICH PLACER SOME or TBR CobORHD
BRETHREN ARE WORKING.
The following, from the Pr0qreSsice
American, an organ OF he colored people,
shows pretty conclus,yely that the sharp
fellows who started the knights OF Wise
Men "struck IL rich " and are making biP
thing pecuniarily out OF the organization :
IL there ever was q society-cursed race Of
people on this earth 1t is the cOlored people
Of the United States. That there are GER
tain financial, moral, and intellectual bene-
fits derived from some well-appointed and
properly regulated societies there can be no
reasonable doubt. But a superabundanee
OF even such would be pernici0us. Aud
there are thousands and thousands Of socie-
ties among the colored people OF the eoun-
try that are neither we'll regulated nor well
intended, but are merely highsoundIng,
shallow, clap-trap, money-making insttu-
tions. that are preying upon the very yiials
OF their dupes.
Aud one OF the worst features OF the case
is, that societies having their origin-so the
public Is Iniormed-in the troubled times
OF the dark ages, when noble men and yir-
tuous women, fred by religious zeal.
banded themselves together that they might
the better protect each other in their natu.
raj rights, and assist In performing the
more sacred duties. but which, In reality,
baye their origin in the scleming brains OF
their promulgators.
1t will be long oiler the present gene
ration is dead before the colored people
will not need to be warned against this spe-
cies of robbery.
As we have said, there are some good
societies among the colored people, aud IN
patronizing and sustaining them they do
well.
1t Is not our intention iD the present arti-
Gle 10 condemn any, but we wish 10 ask a
few questions concerning one which has
recently sprung up aud Is fast making its
way to every numerical centre OF cOlored
people In the country-the Knights Of
Wise Men OF the World.
Il Ii colossal in magnitude. involving
fortune at every turn, aud every turn Is
once in three mouths. IL promises much,
and, no doubt, does what IL promises, and
has an air Of mystery hanging ABOUT its
outer walls, all OF which make 1t desirable
that there should be no mystery about its
insDeal operations. We presume the man
ayers will be glad to give the public all rea-
sousble information concerning 1t.
The whole management, financial and
otherwise, is invested in "Supreme
Grand Lodge" composed OF thirteen MEM
bers, all OF whom serve for three years, aud
the present ineumbents for six years. The
head OF the order Is titled Supreme Archon.
Each subordinate lodge is required to pay
TO the Grand Lodge fifty cents for each
member initiated. The order was organized
in June, 1877. 1t has initiated members at
the rate OF 1850 per year, on which the
Grand Lodge receives 1928. lt also re-
ceives twenty-five cents for each degree
taken, and since only t6ifd-degree mem
bers are entitled 10 full benefits, It Is
but fsir to suppose that at least twO-tbirds
OF the members take the three degrees.
Then there is un income OF over $500.
Each member must pay a yearly tax OF
not less than five cents and not over
twelve-say an average OF eight cents-an
income OF four hundred dollars. The
Grand Lodge receives twenty-five dollars
for each charter granted to the subordinate
lodges. AT the past rate there have been
about seventy five lodges established each
year-an income OF Sl,S75. Aside from
numerous other provisions for income,
which are not necessary for general com.
putation, there is a yearly income 10 the
Grand Lodge OF S3,2i5. 1858
Now, on the death OF each third-degree
member bis heirs receive from the Grand
Lodge $1,000. This amount Is raised, how
ever, by direct taxation. At present the
taxation is fiIy five cents this would bring
an income at each death OF s2,750. In five
thousand there will be at least seven deaths
yearly.
According to the present taxation the
Grand Lodge receives yearly from death
taxations, over and above the $1,000 for
each member that dies, S5, ,250, or $3.50 from
each one. The Grand Lodge has manifest
income, as we have before said, aside from
all other sources, the snug little item OF
SIS. .465. Where does it go to?