The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1883-09-22


other secret societies. The subordinate
bodies were known as courts" and the
one here organized in Cleveland, at the
head Of which was Ed. COwles, was
known as Court No. 1."H
Candidates for initiation were brought
in blindfOlded, and after lot Of foolish
mummery and nOnsensical harangues,
the candidates were made to kneel on
the American flag, and with his left
hand on his heart, and his right hand on
an open Bible, took an obligation to be
true to the order and obey its laws, and
do all he could to carry out its purposes.
He further swOre as follows:
81 sincerity and sOlemnly swear, that
will never vote for any foreign born
citizen for any Office, knowing him so to
be, and / will never, upon any consider
alton, vote for Roman Catholic for any
office, knowing him so to be-"
This oath was taken by every initiate,
and when 1t was taken, the brethren
formed circle around him, and the
bandage being removed from his eyes,
he was proclaimed brother.
The order tiOurished vigorously for
while. There were two courts Of it in
Cleveland, possibly three. In one Of
these, w. G.. Rose, now Republican can
didate for Lieutenant Governor, was in
itiated, and he continued a member as
long as the court remained in existence.
He was active in the work of the order,
and energetic in defense of its princi-
pals. After time, the interest In the
order declined, and it fell into decrepi-
tude, although 1t still exists and the
court to which COwles belongs, still
holds occasional meetings.
AS a member of this order, VIM. G..
Rose swOre, with his hand on the Bible,
that he would never vote for any for
eigner, or any Catholic. Now he ia ask
ing the votes of Catholics, and pretends
to be the especial friend of the Irish.
That Is very cheeky on the part of Rose,
but Rose, with assumed political mod
esty, is very cheeky politician.
''If anybody tells you that William G..
Rose is going to run ahead Of his ticket,
or that he Is going to carry the county,
or the State, Just you call him crank"
said disgruntied Republican to a
Courier journalist yesterday.
What makes you so savage against
Rose" asked the reporter.
"Oh, amt particularly savage" said
the Republican, "but see if his o, A. u.
record don't lay him out stiff and cold"
What do you know about his recOrdp'
inquired the man of news.
Enough, more than enough to settle
his hash," said the Republican. HE
l of the Order of American Union. OF
course you know the tendency of the
OrderP"
The reporter had heard Of it.
well, then, you know that the cry
then was down with the foreigners,
and for time, it seemed as if they had
the best of 1t. But they got to quarell-
ing among themselves and the thing
busted up
"Who else belonged to the OrderP"
ed. COwles, for one. He was a SEN
atOr in the order. He and Jessie McMath
were big mOguls. After a while Nc.
Math organized a lodge in East CleVe-
land, known as McMath Court. When
they had things fixed Rose bounced him
self into the MayOrship through COWles'
aid and McMath had himself elected
Judge. But they didn't have smooth
sailing altogether. Old man Fairbanks
ran the Herald and when he wanted to
be elected to some petty Office in Glen
Vile. the o. A. us opposed him. Fair
banks kicked like steer and 1t was
feared he would bolt Roses nomination,
but he didn't.
what more do you know about Rose P"
81 could tell you heap" said the Re-
publican, "but don't want to hurt the
general ticket. Only whenever anybody
blows about G.. W. Rose Is going to run,
he talks rot. There are lots of Republi-
cans who will knife him at the polls.
hundreds of men to whom he gives
money and who give him taffy in return,
will give him o stab in the back on
election day. See if amt right"
"Are the o. A. U. still in existenceP'
asked the pencil pusher.
81 don't know" said the Republican.
"Ask at No. 1874 Superior street; that's
where thoY used to meet t"-CleVeland
Courier.