Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1886-10-31
A POLITICAL SENSATION.
An Expose OF Two secret Political So.
cleties in Chicago, Taken from the
Old Know.NOthing Parry.
INSTITUTIONS Hitherto Unbeard OF, which
wtiI Affect the Balloting In thar city
to an Unlimited Extent,
mo sEcREr socInrIEs.

CHICAGO, Ill, Oct 8O.--Under the
heading of "a Sensation in Local Poll
tics" the Daily News this morning, says:
1t is not generally known that there
exists ia Chicago two societies, which ace
directly the outgrowth Of the Know
Nothing political party, which reached
the zenith OF its power and entered the
decade of its death in 1856.
Out of its ashes have risen in
later years "The Patriotic Sons of
America" and "The United Order Of
Deputies" The principles and objects
OF these societies are the same as those
Of the old party They aim to promote
the election Of native born Americans to
Offices of the government, and oppose
foreign interference with state interests
to foster public education through the
medium OF free schools, and to
oppose the union of church and
state and ecclesiastical interference with
public affairs. Both orders declare that
there shall be no discrimination against
an American In his own land in favor of
an alien. They urge that every man shall
remain here twenty-one years before being
permitted to vote, and that an American
shall be preferred to any foreigner for
such Offices as are in the gift Of the peo-
pie.
THE MAIN OBJECT,
in short, is to prevent the election to po-
litical Office of all foreigners. Both or
ders confer degrees and enjoin secrecy
upon their members, who are sworn not
to vote for any foreigu-born candidate for
office. There are nine "camps"
of Sons of America in Chr
cago claiming membership OF
about 1900 voters, and several councils
OF the United Order of Deputies are
taking very active interest in the present
campaign, and by means Of secret circu-
lars and private meetings are endeavor-
ing to work up feeling against foreign
born candidates, particularly those Of
the Roman Catholic faith. They
have issued circular on which
are printed the Democratic, Republican
aud Union Labor tickets. Each candi-
dates name is marked with peculiar
sign, and the members of the order have
a key which shows them whether the can
! dldate is an enemy or . sympathizer
A reporter gained possession Of the
| passwords and signs, and Thursday
night attended meeting of the order,
the proceedings Of which are published,
together with the oaths administered to
candidates, etc. Oue memOer, VINO IS q
prominent resident of the West Side, ad-
dressing the meeting, said ~ am firm
believer in eping out of Office all for
eigners where an American-born Of prop.
er belief is in the field. / am for 'Ameri-
cans on guard gentlemen, first, last and
all the time"
The chairman Of the meeting said the
strength of the organization in Cook
county was up in the thousands. ''But,"
he added "the latest rules of the supreme
council are to keep the strength of oul
organization secret, even from the main
body of our members. Next spring it will
be impossible TO estimate where ouI
members or our strength will end.
It Will surprise not only the
people Of this city but of the
entire Union. Our strength will be un
derstood by it's results in elections
The plan OF work agreed upon are the
main features, being to oppose foreign.
ers at the present election; to organize
for the spring campaign; to purge the
city government Of foreigners and tC
secure the election of members to the
legislature who will favor the taxation o.
church property.