Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-12-12

"Ruh Ont aud Begin Again.
Advice Of Nashville PhiiOs-
Opher.
N.,hrIlIa nannsr, 3.

Ine crlsie IN the late OF matfts
monial associations has at last come,
and everybody, II now appears, pre-
dicted the result long ago. To bust.
ness men it has been apparent from
the FIRST that these societies had a
perniclous influence on society. Some
journals had the courage to denounce
them in their incipient stage aud call
things by their right names. When
ever it is claimed that fortunes are to
be made 10 a few days by a certain
process known to the advertiser, it
should be apparent TO sensible men
that the whole thing is a fraud. lift
we're not SO, there would not be so
many people laboring hard day and
night to achieve it. Money can never
be accumulated in this way. II must
be worked for by the sweat Of the
brow.
The craze about these associations
resembled more than anything else
the South sea bubble. In that famous
speculation fortunes were made and
lost by thousands in a few dAys,on pa
per. Then las now, q few shrewd, sharp
men really got profit out of them.
While this was so the money must be
got somewhere, and Of course it came
from the pockets of the credulous,
generally youths and women, who see
every proposition in a rosy light
Fortunately but small sums were paid
in by any one, though the aggregate
amounted TO thousands. Everybody
foresaW the end, even those who we're
dealing in them, only it came sooner
than was expected. They believed
others would pay in for some months
longer, thus enabling them to get
their bounty money. The fortunate
few were those who operated on short
time. The whole thing has been so
transparent FROM the FIRST, and the
end so certain, it is a surprise
anyone should SO lose his temper as to
prosecute. We do not intend to
Illustrate the opinion Of the justice
charged with the decision, but there
cannot be much fraud about a matter
everyone sees in and must know how
it will end, and yet 20 in with the
hope they will get through before it
"busts." 1t may be fraudulent in its
conception; the entire system may be,
and evidently is, wrong both morally
and in a business point OF view, but
there surely could be no taking money
under false pretenses, for the workings
OF the system were published aud
laughed at by business men, though
freely bitten at by greedy persons,
anxious to get some ones money who
is to follow. Still all predicted some
one would suffer, a scape goat must be
offered up, and that prediction is now
versifed by the arrest Of Mr.. Jones.
Would it not be better to let the
thing 60 for what it is worth and profit
BY the experience, than to lose ones
temper in fruitless litigation, which
can only worry a great deal, without
pro6ting anyone, unless the defendant
has taken and used money besides that
set aside for running the machine? Mr..
Jones exhibited his usual energy 10
runniugit it, advertised extensively, and
1t is no fault OF his if more converts
did not come in to release those
already in. Every society Of the co
operative order is founded on the same
general principles. The Knights Of
Honor, Foresters, Royal Arcanum,
Workmen, all pay the deceased mem
bers by contributions from the living.
and they would terminate in the same
way in a few years if they cease 10 By
recruited BY new members. The onl
difference is the benefits in the matri
monial associations accrue more rapid.
~, as no one joins except those who
have an immediate prospect Of marry.
ing and it therefore requires more
rapid increase. This contingency wal
overlooked by the proprietors, or they
made bad calculations about the in.
crease.
Under all the tragic end Of these
societies there is a solid business prin
ciple that will be seer and appreciated
by clear sighted business men as soor
as the present rage subsidies, and IN
J doubtedly will he Of great benefit Il
man. Cooperation is safeguard anC
protection tothe poor, and with propeI
restrictions, will be of incalculabl,
value to society. We therefore ex-
pect great good TO come of all this il
the near future, and look out for {
better and safer plan. As a matter o
course, our remarks are p~redicatec
upon the hypothesis that no stealth,
has been perpe.rated from the funC
appropriated to the bene6ciaries; in
that case a prosecution would be ap