Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-09-12
THE MATRIMONIAL ROT.
Answer to MT. George R. Fleece, by a
Correspondent who Is Evidently
Posted-A Careful ComparI-
sion Between
The Matrimonial specuIations and the
Ksights of Honor Greatly TO the
Discontinue OF Ghe Former
Bodies.
To the Editors of the Appeal:

To the Editors of the Appeal:
The structures of the APPEAL on the wild
cat" matrimonial business has brought out q
defense from George Z. Fleece, president, IN
which he statez ths{ his concern "has been
rightly adiudged to bs-both By the attorney
Memphis-strictly legal N its objects, its
organizstion and its modes of administra-
ton; that as Benevolent institution it is
more useful in all its relations 10 society, to
civilization and to government than any life
insurance company can be-" Again be says;
"Any attack upon the basis, principle or
plan of any such (his) an association would
also apply with equal force to that of the
knights of Honor or any known mutual lie
insurance company"
All that need be said in regard to the
"atterney general and the "most eminent
lawyers OF Memphis" is that the "modes OF
administration" must have been enormously
stated 10 them, or said lawyers intended to
give said marriage company geod send-of
the extravagant statement that it (his CON-
pany) is "naore useful TO society, to civilization
and to government than any he. insurance cont
pdny can b."
Granting such to be the case, how impor-
tant is it that "society," "civiliEatiou" and
. government" should be fully informed in
|, regard to all the details of such "useful'
addition 10 our many charitable institutions!
As be puts his company on the same basis
with the Knights of Honor, let us see how
the two compare!
III The Knights of Honor Is an organi-
zation in which every member has
voice in determining who shall be the ofh-
GERS; in the marriage companies the nem-
bers have no voice.
(2) In the KnigSS.s OF Honor every officer
must be equally interested IN SECURING to
himself insurance at the same rate as 1t Ir
secured TO every other member; in the mar
riage cultures" affairs the officers are not, il
married, in any sense members OF their own
associations, and are not contributors to the
system they would build up.
(3.) In the Knights of Honor the member
ship makes the laws; in the marriage COM
panies the officers, self-appointed, legislate
for the members.
a. In the Knights of Honor the men,
bers who are not pecuniarily interested de-
| termine what amount shall be paid their
| officers as salaries and scrutinize carefully
their bonds and suretes; in the marriage
companies the officers fix their own salaries
and pass on their own bonds.
80 In the Knights of Honor increase ei
membership adds nothing to the funds con-
| trolled by the officers; in the marrisge COM
pauies all the funds are controlled by the
| officers.
(6 In the knights of Honor membershiI
| is controlled by subordinate local bodies
| independent of the general officers; in. mar.
risge associations officers determine, Jude
pendent of the members, the qualifications
of applicants.
(7.) In the Knights of Honor no person
can possibly realizs any profit by soliciting
membership. in lodge; in the Guild not a
member can be added unless there is proft
| to the agent and general officers.
| 49, The Knights of Honor is, as you say
| a republic governed and regulated by law;
which can only be changed by the member
ship in general convention; the marriage
humbugs are absolute despotisms in which
the will of the incorporators (ofheere) is the
law.
o. The knights of Honor publish con
stitution and the laws in full by which
officers and members are governed; the mar.
riage companies publish leaflets promising
| large profits to their victims.
| Q0.) The Knights of Honor take not one
cent from the assessment fund except to pay
benefits; the marriage folks take ten to fifteer
| per cent.
Q1.) The knights of Honor publish every
month a complete statement of all money
received and paid out; the marriage compa
nies publish nothing or merely partial state
| meuts.
III there is anything common between tbs
Knights of Honor and our marrying friends
it is certainly hidden. S"*