Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-04-04
~ otJEorIoNADLe BILL.
Proposed Legislation Affecting so
.,,.st.x 4sYntIt,ces N Ssns atlOn.

cteticN Produces N Nensatt0n.
The agitation produced by the introduce
| tion OF House bill No, 29i increased on Fiji
day. II was introduced by Representative
Armstrong and will affect the secret, pene-
fioial and fraternal societies alike. l! IL y
passed II will restrict the lndlvldnal ueath
and sick benefits OF members OF soeletes
who apply to the Legislature ior charter
10 $500, 30 long US u society does mol hp.
pIy to the Legislature for n charter that
society will not be affected, but there is no
telling how soon all societies who have not
done 80 will have TO apply for charters.
The Odd Fellows, He'd Men, 'kntRhts OF
Pythias and other societies pay weekly pene-
fitswhich In cases oflong- continned slcknes
amount to thousands Ut dollars and II tho
proposed bill Ia passed II will seriously
all oct these baneiiciaries. The adoption OF
such bill will practically Wipe ont all
secret societies. In the several hocieties 10
the State there arc probably lU,UUU menl-
beers, representing that many families.
A committee OF the lodges Of the Ancient
Order OF United Wotkmen met Friday night
to take action TO defeat the bill. The meet
ing was held In the oiilce OF William II.
FOulk and there were present Past Grand
Master Workman j. A. Nansnnt, William ii.
Foulk, John ]. Gallagher, William A. Rey-
nolds, J. j, Whitaker, William ID. Fair-
lamb, W. Ii. riersnn. O, A. nOodlng, q. T..
Maroney, j. Z. Y. Fueckel, Lewis Sisse and
John NJ. Whltford. Mr. Foulk was elected
chairman and MIR. Gallagher secretary.
The provisions Of the bill were discussed,
and the unanimous opinion was expressed
that the bill Is covert stroke ut the bene-
fetal orders which would be disastrous II
allowed to b 3come operative and that
prompt and decided action should be taken
to make lis defeat as telling aud effective
as possible.
Past Grand Master Workman Yansant
was deeply moved by what he considered
ian attempt TO stnb fatally and In the dark
the benellcent organizations whose only
purpose il is to promote iraternal assoela-
ton among mon, relieve the suffering and
mitigate The sorrows OF the bereaved."
Speaking In behalf Of the A o. u. W. foC
the Jurisdiction ri Maryland, New Jersey,
Delaware and Virginia DO said I'VE are
I'LL as deeply Interested as you are. l adj
visa you TO bs prompt and energetic III do
iaating this blu, aud can promise you the
aid Of the entire Jurisdiction to any extent
that may se necessary"
William u. Fonik, J. j. Gallagher, w. A,
Reynolds and j. L. II. Fueckol were ap-
pointed Il sub-committee, to tako all neces-
sary measures for the defeat Of tho bill.
They were instructed to confer with Sena-
torDonahooand Representatives. Gray fcrthe
purpose Of interesting them in the defeat
Of the bIll, and 10 confer WITH tho grand
officers OF AL the societies having grand or
state organizations here, with view OF OK
citing concerted action by all the bene.
ilrlal organizations In the State.
The committee adjourned to meet st the
call OF Chairman FOulk.
senator Donahoe and Representative
Gray were Interviewed by representative
OF the GAZETTE Friday morning Both said
they are not acquainted with the provisions
Of the bill, Senator Dlnahoe said he could
not tell for whom the bill was Introduced
or who are Ghampioning 1t, but, he de-
elared, 4 Will be- put to sleep N II Is not
right, Representative Gray said be could
not toll for whom the bill was introduced,
tut ne thought Representative Armstrong,
since no introduced 1t, would try 10 secure
lis adoption.
1t IL claimed that at least 0g0 men can
be gotten 10 80 10 Dover to protest against
the passage OF the bill.