Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1884-08-07

ing. The following year the agita-
tion for a prohibitory amendment be
gan and the Independent temperance
party was organized, the Grand
Lodge officers of the Good Templars
taking an active part in the move
ment. The head Of the Order be.
came candidate for governor of
the state. During that year the Or
der lost % lodges and 1913 mem
beers. In 1882 the political agitation
was continued, and "the grand wor-
thy chief, Brother Kanouse," and
"the grand worthy secretary, Brother
Parker" both ran for congress.
Neither was elected, while the Or
der lost 81 lodges and | 1873 mem
bers during the year. What is more,
Sin no instance did the advocates of
separate action show an ability to
elect one Of their candidates." either
as state officers, members of congress
or members of the legislature. The
Grand Lodge officers continued their
poIitica! work in 1888, with the re-
suit of losing 80 more lodges and
1852 members. In 1883, Mr. Giles
made report calling attention to
the great loss OF members. In it he
said that during nearly thirty years
The Order had prospered "when
working on the line of total aDsti-
nence aud the education of the peo-
pie" and he suggested retiring to
the former system of making 1.-THE
pledge Of total abstinence the only
test of fealty and fellowship" The
address further says that while the
Order has lost so large number of
members, its expenses for saleries
have been so great as during its
most prosperous periods, and gives
the following figures:
| In 1890 our expenses were $l0,S031i,
and of this sum we paid to our grand
worthy chief templar, I'D .kauouse,
for salary ana expenses. .......+..... Sl,S639S
B. +. Parker, q, W. s., salary and ex-
John Seboski, lecturer, salary and ex-
penSeS. ...................-. .S5).3S
Gennie r. Nash, s. j. T............. -. l,l96.2O
Making a total to four officers of. S6,537.l7
In 1881 our entire expenses were 81
1864.
and expenses. ........................ 81 .s38 80
And to Bro b. +. Parker. ........ l,65j.1S
Making total to two officers Of. . S],494 II
In 1882 our expenses were SS,7,S42.
OF which Bro. kanouse received. o. Sl,9094T
Bro. b. +. Parker received .........--.. 1,T2L6l
Total IN two officers 81 63l M
In 1885, our expenses were S5,4g.sl.
OF which Bro, T. d. Kanouse received Sl,S97 ~
Bro. b. L. Parker ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 1886
Total to two officers. ........... .. $3,692S5
Total expenses for four years S5i,9790s.
Paid to Bro kanouSe S7,JO9O3
Paid TO Bro. Parker, G,s9i 96
Paid to Bro. Sehosh. 1898
Paid to Sister Nash. lO962O
Total .......... Si7,855.57
Within a small fraction of one
half the whole expenses of the Or
der has been paid to four persons to
whose care it was entrusted. The
address concludes:
"In 1880, before our Grand Lodge
or its officers meddled with party
politics, we had 20,0S0 members aud
$50 lodges. Now we have 1927
members and $50 lodges. What has
become of the 1858 members and
l2l lodges? Is it not time to call a
halt aud devise some measures to
regain our losses? The result of the
policy pursued since 1881 is appar-
ent to the dullest intellect. Shall
we profit by sad experience, and
make an effort to fill our ranks,
avoiding the causes of our decay in
the past, or shall we blindly continue
the policy carried out during the
past four years, and see our Order
sink still lower, until its power, pres
tige and glory are known only as
things Of yesterday"
The dimunition of the Order of
Good Templars is not the sole result
OF the introduction of the proposed
temperance reform in politics. 1t
has aroused a violent sentiment of
antagonism among large and intu-
entail class of the citizens of the
state, and caused them to detest the
very name of temperance. 1t has
made many of these people, who
would otherwise have been accessi-
bic to reason and argument on the
subject of the Incorporate use of
stimulants, as fanatical in their sup
port of saloons, and of the habit of
drinking, as are the most frenzied
prohibtionists in their opposition to
/ those things. Thus, instead of as
sisting to discourage excuses, it has
promoted them, and has placed a
serious obstacle in the way OF
wholesome and reasonable REFORM
/ .MihruUkee Sentinel.
Nasty Nugget,
From the Toledo Blade.