The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-09-22
FOLLOWERS or THE PLUMED KNIGHT.
Kansans Banded Together as the
Knights Of Reciprocity.
Fighting the Alliance With the
Weapons 1t Has Used.
The New Idea Popular and Likely To
Be Successful.

ABILENE, Kan, September 21.-The tu-
multuous applause that greets Blaine's name
In every Kansas assembly is due not only to
the Secretary of States popularity among
the people of the state, but chiefly to the In
fiuence Of the new secret order. the Knights
of Reciprocity, which is having an unex-
ampled growth among the Republican ranks.
The order proposes to fight the Alliance
with its own fire and has an elaborate ritual
with grip and sign features, well calculated
to please the lovers Of that sort of political
action. In the school districts Of all sections
Of the state, but particularly the western,
meetings are being held and lodges organ
lied at rate which astonishes the Republl-
can leaders who were disposed to sneer at
the movement when first started.
AT a recent meeting Of the Grand Council
1t was claimed that 10000 members of the or
der were enrolled, and now it is asserted
that there have been over 1000 members
added during the past month. In Lynn
county one Of the most populous counties of
the state, enough members are claimed to
carry tine fall elections without "a question,
every member being pledged to support the
Republican ticket. The order Is as unique
iu its way as the Alliance. The chief
features OF its ritual are the pledging Of
members to reciprocity ideas as exemplifed
Dy james o. Blaine and to extend them to
all political action. With the growing mem
bership and an influence far exceeding In
proportion to numbers the more quiet Repub-
llcans, the effect Is to make showing that
the leaders OF the party are bound to respect.
Inc delegates sent by the organization are
admitted into. all Republican conventions,
and every privilege granted the ordinary
delegates Is enjoyed by the Knights They
have Blaine for their idol, and every men
tion of his name is hailed with cheers.
Knights, Republicans and Democrats are
Joining hands against the Alliance this fall
In one respect-the selection Of district
judges. There has not In years been as
much danger to Eastern investors as now,
when there Is full lis list Of Judges to be elect
its candidates not to order foreclosure sales,
and so defeat the action of the law and COM
pei holders of mortgages to wait year or
more beyond the usual time before complet-
Ing foreclosure cases. 1t Is situation that
is full Of danger, as the completion Of fore
closure cases is in the judges hands. In
most OF the districts judges are being nomi-
mated by Republicans and Democrats In a
'non-paItlsan convention, to defeat the ALI
ance at any cost. The feeling Is strong that
the victory Of the reputation idea means in
jury to the state, and the Alliance Judges
are not to be allowed.
Already number Of Eastern companies
have instructed their agents to draw out
every dollar invested, sclely because of the
threatened hostility in the courts and by the
legislature.
In view Of such situation the Republi-
cans, Democrats and friends of the state
have reason for alarm, even though there Is
an abundant harvest, and the mortgage in
debtedness is being decreased at the rate of
nearly million dollars a month. With
continuance of the Alliance in power there
will be still greater drain on the state and
he eff sct will be a closer money market
han even now exists.