Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-08-19

prices set on their heads. Nearly all OK
these are members in good standing or
one or more OF tho societies, for 1t is not
unusunl for on individual TO belong 10
several Of the organizations.
Having Joined, the member can never
cease 10 be member, though he may,
as in Freemasonry, become disafiihated.
He is then passive member, but nus
oath of secrecy is still in force. The ini-
tistory fees and compulsory dues are 80
small usually as TO be merely nominal,
but members are expected TO contribute
70 the treasury according to their means,
and nearly all do so from time to time,
go that as matter OF fact n society OF
500 members will ordinarily have an in
come of about $40. 900 a year. OF this
81 900. or about that sum, will be ex-
pended for the maintenance oil the socie-
tvs hail and other current expenses;
81 900 will go for salaries, and the rest
will be used for benefits OF the sick, fune-
rails for the dead, and other similar cor
porate expenses.
The meeting-room, or hall OF the So
ciety, is usually large room. which, ex-
cepting when the society is in executive
session. is used as q clubroOm. IL Is
open to the public In the sense that
strangers are always welcome II they
come as visitors on legitimate errands
and at any reasonable hour. Like Chi
nese assemb ly-rooms it will always be
found like the rooms mentioned above,
to have a religious look at one end. An
altar is always placed before picture OF
Joss, and the wall on either side OF the
picture will be adorned with numerous
symbols of the kind that form such n
conspicuous feature of Chinese worship.
At the other end of the room is fixed
large blackboard on which, III the
shape OF bulletins, ore posted announce
ments Of such things as interest the so
ciety. 4 full list Of tho members is kept
on the wall, and the subscriptions oil
each are posted opposite the names.
Lists OF sick members are also kept
posted, as are death notices, business
notices and official proclGmations from
the Chinese empire.
The hall being q combination oil
church, business-room, and cluo-roOm,
smoking and drinking are allowed there,
as is also the playing OF games OF chance
for reasonable stakes, dining, and the
enjoyment Of q good time generally.
The officers OF the society exercise judi
cisl functions, and all minor disputes OF
civil character are commonly left TO
them. But it is not only the civil dis
pute that is left to them. They form. in
Executive Board, court corresponding
60 our General Term, and in case Of Of
fences against the society, even III tic
gravest matters, they try the offender,
and il he is found guilty pronounce his
sentence, even if it he the extreme one
Of death, aud issue the warrant for the
execution of the Highlander.
The Highlander is not only the sheriff.
but he also acts as warrior IN case OF
fights between the societies. The socie-
ties are generally on good terms with
one another, having similar objects, and
sometimes, as stated, having members
who belong to several societies at once:
Sometimes they clash, however, and
when they do, il the quarrels are not
settled by arbitration, there is inevitable
bloodshed. The character of their quar-
rels is difficult to explain or even to I'M
derstand, but the quarrels resemble
those between towns in the feudal ages
when men-at-arms would fight at sight,
and would even sally forth IN search OF
| prey,