The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-08-22
OPPOSED TO ia xEs.
Really Gorgeous Story from Hard Lo-
cality-What Governor Porter Hears.

An anonymous letter has been received by
Governor Porter from a man who claims that, a
few nights ago, he was called out of his house
after midnight by two masked men, who re-
Quested him to accompany them to a clandes-
tine meeting which was being held in the neigh
bOrhood, and to do such writing for them as they
directed. he claims that he at first refused be-
lieviug that they were forming mob, but upon
being assured that his presence was simply de-
sired at peaceahle meeting to act as secretary,
he was induced TO accompany them.
When they reached the house where
the meeting was being held he
found nearly 200 men assembled, and all were
masked. He was informed by an old man who
seemed to be the leader that the men present
comprised an organization which favored the
exemption from taxation of property valued at
800 or 5000, where 1t is all that is owned by a
person. They feel that where the possessions Of
family are of no greater value it is unjust to
compel them to pay taxes, and the author of the
letter was requested to write TO the Governor
setting forth their views, with the object of the
organization. and to urge him to use
his influence to have the law changed.
The letter further states that the
masked men each carried weapons
and showed that they had been subjected to
some ulSclplOe. III IS also claimed by the
anonymous writer that there three such or
CARNATIONS in the State. In closing, lie states
that after some deliberatiOn he had concluded
TO report the mysterious meeting to the Gov
ernoT, and make the statement ordered by the
leader The letter comes from q county where
the mob spirit prevails, and where only little
more than year n go a man was hung by mob
1t is evident from the letter that some such mys-
teriOus organization exists, bat it is not believed
that it extends over the State. The Indiana cor
respondent of the Commercial Gnzette stated in
"a dispatch which was published yesterday:
al saw the proof few days ago, that there is
now in existence in Indiana secret OrganiZa.
ton of poor renters, with a membership of
nearly fonr hundred, banded together with
masks and wateh-words and all the para pher-
MALTA of war, with the intention Orwell, lust
what their intention is is not clearly defined
They do not want to pay taxes on the first 500
of their savings; and who can tell why they
meet In secret places at unusual hours of night
and wear masks and carry weapOns2 1t may he
so that they may put more tone into their par
liamentary deliberations, or it may be they in
tend to put something else INTO the tax collect
This item ia not written as sensational
stuff The writer knows whereof he speaks
and If permitted TO give his authority, would be
able TO convince the most skeptical that there
is something brewing which even Jay Gould
cannot CONTROL as a State official remarked To
me concerning this day or TWO ago. States
men will 'pooh-pOoh.' hut masks tell no tales"
The Governor has received numerous letters
in the last few months from persons asking him
to have their lands, valued at small amounts,