The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-27
APPALLING REVELATION.
DISCLOSURES THAT CHALLENGE
CRHDENcn ANp GALL FOR PROOF.
a Band Of Conspirators Whose Object
Ia Murder and Robbery Said to Ex-
ist-How II Was Organized. and What
Crimes are Already Planned.
IT. TiaS cOnlc.
The people must confront IL.


An APPEAL reporter was yesterday &C.
quainted with the details OF one OF the
most blood thirsty and blood curdling con-
spiracies ever Matched out in the villainous
brain OF savage human being II is even
more damnablo than the plots OF profess
sional pirates and war time guerrillas, be-
cause the product Of individuals living
and subsisting under the sunlight OF nine
tecnth century peace and civilization, and
who openly profess good will and friend
ship for their Fellow men and the world at
large.
They are men-and some women
whom the police and public look upon
daily, and whom they never would con-
meet with momentary suspicion OF VIII
lainy In word, thought or act. They are
regarded M honest tolers and housewives,
not rolling in wealth aud consequent lux
ury, but content with their humble fortune
and the American privilege Of striving 10
better II. Some OF them, IL Is true, are
looked upon M semi-nabobs, doing moth.
ing In particular 10 far as people In general
are aware, though always presenting a
neat appearance and wanting for nothing
In the home circle.
This, in brief, Is n word picture OF the
moral character and social standing of
the individuals involved. They are part
and parcel OF great people, apparently
ardent supporters OF every municipal,
State and national law. yet secretly plot
ting TO run riot over and assassinate them,
one and all. That the picture Ia not more
distinct Is because Of no lack Of confiden-
tial information, but alone because Of in
complete official and reportorial investi-
CATION. This IN q hazardous undertaking
IN the extreme, ono misstep or unguarded
expression, placing tho indiscrect searchor
in range OF a conspirator's unerring bullet
or beneath a keen-edged knife thrust.
hut Il exists, and will emerge from the
underbriish ero many months unless
pnngled In its childhood by unflinching
detectives and police and pcnitentiary
Outfit.
To the conspiracy. In an uptown beer
oall, at brief and stated intervals, there
o. meetings held by the conspiratos. The
Dscmbly.room is long, dark, dingy cell
Dr., dimly lighted at best, and on the walls
9ld ceiling OF which hang cobwcbs. The
Hoomy surroundings are intensified by
scayy coatings OF mold and dust, the ac-
emulation OF years and complete neglect.
Age Is discernible TO the naked eye and
sense In every crack and crcyicc, In every
corner, and upon every plank in the floors,
above and below. The place is entered
through a secret trap door, the only pass.
age TO which is by dark, narrow and UNI
inviting alley. Not n dozen people. save
the eighty-seycn conspirators, know Of liz
existence, and these are totally unaware Of
the iondish plots for murder, rapine and
highway robbery discussed there in the
most cold-blooded language Mt every meet
ing
The organization, though in lis infancy,
Is still well nigh perfect Its officers con.
sisi Of president, three vicc.prcsidents, n
secretary treasurer, ono inside and two
outside sentinels, an executive committee
al five, and all are subject IA call ~ execu.
TONERS. I, has brici. but positive con.
stitution and by.laws which every ono
must sign with ia and hlaaJ dIaAJL lLas,.
IL 70 arm upon being admitted TO mem.
bcnhip.
All sorts Of crucial tests are applied 10
The male applicants for membership. ex.
tending through period of three weeks.
Tho members iirst single out the man
whose connection with the body IL dcsia.
ble. lie must have undaunted courage oi
n high order. determination, judgment,
and above all, dissatisfaction with his lot
and station In life They then begin In n
systematic and guarded manner TO In.
gratiaie themselves into his favor
and friendship. II necessary he IL
advanced money to remove his
immediate difficulties. His complaints arc
drawn by the same tactics employed 10
prccipitatc battles. and his mnttcrings oi
discomfort are encouraged and prompted.
The moral poison thus administered II
added 10 daily until the subject IA a willing
advocate oi any means Of redress the in.
trigucrs may suggest. Then begin the
practical part Of the proceeding. For a
brief period they talk vaguely OF an organ-
iEaiion for Just the purposes he suggests.
III he catches the idea, and heartily alnc.
tions II, the work Is done. All that ~.
mains u the courage tests, aud none have
~ far failed 10 reach the necessary point
oi perfection; for the ringlca,cn are shrcwd
and calculating judges Of human nature
aud characteristics"
The reporter TO whom this dcyilish bands
existence was made known asked his in
iormant how he came into possession OF
the Intelligence lie replied
81 vas one Oi the charter members oi
Che parent organization. II was one that
had Tor H. objects bcnevolcnce among the
members aud -cliproicction. Conspiracy
against fundamental and other laws ui the
land and assassination OF hateful individ-
ual. was never dreamed of. | will not
give YOU H. name, for there are sister
Organizations In existence still clingng 90
original principles aud ahhoring tie death
al the one ! rcior 10. They are not awaru
OF IL sad degeneration into band OF cut
ihrpats, but think Il passed away
under the influence 81 dry rot.
The first symptoms Of this down.
fall were complaints from members
in lodgc sessions, against oppression from
landlords and wealthy creditors. Others
bad been refused payment Tor work done
for the wealthy classes, OF " not refused
outright were 10 treated la fact, "a they
could not collect H. AZ ilni legal step.
were taken 90 correct thcsc conditions
being entrusted directly 20 The oxccutiv,
committee. A The membership grew.
the work became very labohous. the eases
increased 10 n remarkable extent and Il
was soon apparent that general revision
Of our corrective methods was necessary.
A committee was appointed 30 draft new
constitution and bylaws, with At least Inn.
piled instructions 10 provide for summary
methods. with violence for Aggravated