Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-12-19
THE MATRINONAL INSURANCE
FRAUDS.
Postmaster General Howe Making
Active War ON Then.


HUNDREDS OF THEM IN OPERATION IN THE SOUTH
Postmaster General Howe last Saturday took
steps to break up the numerous swindling con-
Germs known as ''Matrimonial'' and NATAL In
sufance associations still Furnishing in seve-
raj southern states. Many Of these bogus
concerns are already dying out through their
own rottenness, and the Postmaster Gene
rals order, prohibiting the delivery of
money orders and registered letters to
the persons conducting them, will prove the
nnlshhg stroke to those still remaining in ope-
ratiOn The growth of this fraud was some
thIng wonderful. Six or eight months ago there
were out very few of these associations in ex-
iSIence. and two months ago, when the matri-
monIal Insurance frenzy was at its height, they
could be numbered by the hundreds. The first
enterprise of the sort was started in Tennessee,
out the movement soon developed in Arkansas.
Alabama, Mississippi and Texas. Texas seems
10 have soon taken the lead as seventy two
concerns have been reported to the Post Office
department officials in full blast within the Dor
ucfS OF that state. while Tennessee had but
twenty-seyen, Mississippi nine and Arkansas
seven.
THE PROMOTERS OF THE SwINDLE
used the mails extensively for the purpose of
Collecting Initiation fees and in sending remit
tance5 to benefciares-for they balted the
credulous by paying promised benefits on the
start-but the fraudulent character of the bust
ness was soon discovered aud reported to the
department, and the Postmaster General has
determined to do what lies in his power to
break it up. 1t is thought that
SEVERAL MILLION DOLLARS
nave been collected from the people of the
south, large portion of which has found its
way into the pockets of the enterprsinr pro-
and of
QUEER NAMES.
Some OF the charter names taken by these
associations are extremely characteristic and
dicted list at the Post Office department the
Maid of Athens" Marriage Union, of Athens,
Texas the bon Tom Cash Daily Matrimonial
Association. of Longview Texas; the Rosebud"
Marriage Association. of Meridian. Miss, and
the Bridal and Natai' Gift Society Of Browns
vile, Texas.
ONE OF THE CIRCULARS.
Below, is printed copy of the circular issued
by one of the recently organized associations
at Greneda, Miss. 1t is similar to many others
received at the Post Office department. and
fairly outlines the basis of operations and method
by which the gullibility of southern male and
female marra2eabie adults is made to turn dis
honest dollars into the pockets of the unprin-
cipled schemerS who conduct these assOcia-
lions.
THE DAILY KING MARRIAGE ASSOCIATION OF
GRENADA, MISSISSIPPI"
IA benevolent association. organized and
Chartered under the laws of the state of Mssis-
sppi. Reierences:-Any citizen of Grenada
Certificates Certificates will be issued in the
sum of five thousand dollars only No member
ship fee
Observation-Disclosures necessary for the
payment Of marriage claims, assessments will
be made on the entire membership Said assess
ment shall be only $3.50. twenty-five dollars
TO be used only for the payment of claims, and
the $50 will be passed to expense fund Pay
able in twenty days
mbership;-Any person may become a
member OF this association by making proper
Application and paying one advance assessment
Security Fund:-Said fund shall be created
by reserving ten per cent Of each benefit for
purpose OF paying future marriage benefits
Table of Beneits:-One day. a25: five davs
s125; ten days, $3.50 and thus to maturity of
certificate; provided. it does not exceed 50. 600.
SAID member marrying, however, agrees and
contracts with this association to receive one
assessment in full satisfaction of all claims
against the association.
Cash Payment:-Ten per cent of each claim
VIII be paid In cash upon receipt of satisfactory
proof of marriage. residue in 80 DAYS
Join at once. Twenty-Five dollars day is q
new feature. and one that every one should
avail themselves Of
L. L. Uranium,
Secretary and Treasurer"
In explanation Of the ne,o feature of this con-
Germ. outlined in the liable of Benefits" it NAV
be said that the association promises to nav
S25 per day from the date of entering the asso-
Citation to the day of marriage, as an endow-
ment fund, to members contemplating matri-
mony; provided however, that one assessment
levied upon al! members is sufficient to meet
the ciainl-whch I'm no event is to exceed
So.0OO-Otherwise the beneficiary agrees to
accept the proceeds Of one assessment in paw
ment OF his claim against the association.
The lmpractcability of successfully carving
on such an endowment scheme-that is. with
success to the bcneficaries-is apparent at a
glance. An effort is made, however, on the
start. to pay the first few claimants; but assess
ments are levied so thick and fast on the other
remaining unmarried members that many I'M
able to pay them lose their membership under
the rigid bylaws. which call for prompt paw
ment OF assessments The membership soon
dwindles to nothing, but snug sum of
money. which is never paid to beneficiaries.
eventually accumulates and finds its way into
the pockets OF the managersOf the association
AmusemeIAss, SC.
FORD's OPERA HOUSE.-The lovers of genuine
fun should go to FOrd's and see Barry and Fay
In their side SDlittinr pomady ..Tha Triob