The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-01
THE SMELLING SNUFFERS.
Unique Organization of Germans-Qualif-
cations and Initiatory Ceremonies.

Special to the indianapolis journal.
NEWARK. n. j., Dec. 3L-Newark has one of
the oldest associations in the country. Prob
ably there is nothing like it in the world 1t is
known the 'Sneezing Snuffers' Club, and is
composed exclusively of prominent Germans
The rules Of the organization are as stringent
as they are unique. A candidate for admission
must be a German and under forty five years of
age He must show that he has at least five
thousand dollars in cash, and must own a piece
of real estate here in the city. He must prove
that when he came to this country he was poor,
having less than ono thousand dollars to begin
with, and that his increase of wealth was not in
herited, but obtained through his own exerticns.
After his property qualifications are deemed
proper for membership, his social qualifications
are considered by the investigating committee
If it is satisfactorily demonstrated that the .p-
plicant can drink fifteen glasses of beer in src-
cession without becoming intoxicated, and that
he knows how to play pinocle, and various other
games, ne is voted for by all the members. If
the applicant receives three black balls he is re-
jected and cannot be proposed again for year.
If he is elected he attends the next meeting
and is initiated.
The initiation is decidedly odd. The new
member is brought into the room, where all the
man asks the victim: Glow will you have it,
hot, or coldp The victim has no idea what"it"
means. If be says he will take it hot he is at
once blindfolded and can of steaming hot
beer is brought in. The applicant is required to
drink three glasses of this hot beer in a short
space of time. When be has finished, he ia pre-
sented with pipe full of snuff, which he is COM
PEELED to smoke for three minutes. Should the
neophyte say he would take it cold, two glasses
placed in fcont of him. The one is ordi-
xuir oil 11o6 xuifh NIB ieh
cayenne pepper has been sprinkled profusely.
The other is q large tankard, containing pint
and half of beer. The applicant is told he
must drink whichever glass he selects at one
draught Ordinarily the victim selects the
smaller glass and has to gulp down the sickly
syrup and the hot pepper. failure to comply
with apv Of the iniyiatory requirements debars
the applicant for q month. When he comes up
the second time, he is put through a new series
Of tortures to his palate by what is termed the
inQuiSitorial committee. When the neophyte has
successfully gone through with the initiation, the
bandage is taken from his eyes and he Is given
a handsome silver snuff fbox, which constitutes
the badge of membership. At given signal
from the chairman. each member produces his
snuff box takes pinch OF snuff, and when the
chairman eneezes the members must Join in ae
once. Should any member sneeze in advance or
the chairman, he has to pay for a round OF
drinks for the entire club. new member. after
the initiation is completed. has to s'set up"
kee Of beer Only one member isinitiased at
meeting.
The club meets on Monday, Wednesday and
Sunday evenings. They meet in three different
halls, with beer attachments. These halls
known as the Monday night hail.. the Wednes-
day night hall, and the Sunday night hall. The
Sunday night hall is the headquarters of the
club, where the members can 60 on OF evenings
The club is purely social. and is, might be
supposed from the description. limited in mem
bership. Family socables are often held. when
the members bring their families and friends
and listen to music and singing. All the
freshmerts are free such occasions There
is also quite benevolent feature of the club
The members pledged to help one another
financially when il is necessary and also TO ex-
tend help to deserving Germans in general
Professional paupers are never fassisted, nor
those whose poverty is due to drink and thrift
lessness.