The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1891-09-28

Ndtt accounts, ana tuat ne naS used
and appropriated the same FOR his
own purposes. though none Of the
money so used was ever returned tc
the corporation. This money, the pc
titioners assert, amounted to many
thousands Of dollars, and was sutfi-
GENTLY large e cripple the corporation
and render il insolyent.
The petitioners further tate that
Banks VA forced Ii resign his posi.
tion is secretary hy reason If taking
the money, and Tint Thu officers con
cealed the true reason, and required
Banks to sign circular letter 70 the
members Of the corporation, giving the
reason Of his resignation as ill-health.
To show that the circular was sham
and pretense, it is claimed that Banks
only few weeks afterward opened a
bank at No. 8 Union Square, New
York City, witha reputed capital stock
of S27 800, Of which he styles himself
cashier. This position must neces-
sarily entail on him, they say, more
arduous duties than his former one. 1t
il further charged that Banks filed in
fictitious applications, and drew large
sums Of money on false certificates.
The corporation is chartered for
fraternal and benevolent purposes;
has six classes Of certificates, ranging
from 81 900 to 800, payable in three,
five and seven years, and Is said to
have accumulated some $500, 900, as
shown by statements ID d paper pub
lished by Incorporation, the Eraternai
Cleaner. No order was passed by the
court on the bill
THE sECRETARy's STATEMENT.
Mr.. Charles H. Hopkins is the SUI
preme secretary Of the order, succeed
ing Mr.. Banks, recently retired. Mr..
Hopkins had not heard of the propos-
ed proceedings until some Of the mem
bers presented themselves at his Office
yesterday morning to ask for an ex-
PLANTATION. They had received postal
cards from Tippetts& Co. the lawyers,
asking them to call at their office be-
tween the hours of ten and one ION
business of Importance to yourself
Here they were told that the American
Fraternal Circle was insolvent, and
were asked to sign petition for re-
ceiver. A number of the callers were
women, who werevery much distressed.
Some signed, it is said; while others
preferred to consult their attorneys be-
fore they committed themselves. Mr..
Hopkins stated that he informed all
who made inquiry that the action was
baseless, and that there was no canse
for alarm. The order, he said, was
entirely solvent, not one dollar being
missing, and every penny being ac-
counted for. He showed the reports
signed by the supreme trustees, Of
whom ex-Mayor Latrobe is chairman,
acknowledging the receipt of last
months assessment.
He also submitted the statement
made by the presidents of the various
trust companies, in which are set forth
the disposition of the moneys in the
various funds. ..When / assumed the
Office Of secretary" said Mr.. Hopkins,
II found the accounts in perfect con-
dition. | would not have accepted the
trust had they been otherwise. They
have been examined again and again
since then, and are at the disposition
Of the court, or any committee Of re-
sponsible gentlemen selected from
among the members. / do not known
why the suit is brought. It may be
that somebody hopes to get receiver
ship and make the ten per cent com
mission, or it may be those who are
responsible for the suit are not friendly
to Mr.. Banks, at whom the charges
are aimed At all events, l have no
fears Of the result. Every dollar paid
nwill be SATISFACTORILY accounted for. "
ITS LAST FINANCIAL STATEMENT
The American Fraternal Circle is
INSTRUMENTATION, which was in
corporated in 1888. 1t has two hum
died and six councils scattered in al
most every state in the Union, the last
one founded being the Baron Hirsch
at Troy, N. Y. The September state
ment shows that the last certificate is
sued in August was numbered "a, 751 !;
the first one issued was on September