The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-04-03

Brethren ever let us be
In our sacred strang-ler-ie.
The Chief Stranger rose and said: "The
inner and outer guards will now patrol
the sanctuary to make assurance that
there are no eavesdroppers within bounds
to catch note of our mysteries.
with the assurance that our occult body
is secure from the gaze and hearing of the
uninitiated. the business of the night will
now be brought before you. Some of the
brethren have been disposed to murmur at
the action taken by our representatives in
the City Council in regard to the Kissel
ordinance. They thought that action a
retreat. 1t annot be called a retreat, 1t
was merely a withdrawal. and after a
brief breathing spell we shall move for
ward. ~strsngling cord in hand. to deeds of
miGhtier moment than ever before. fha
withdrawal was managed with cOnsum-
mate skill and boldness, its purpose being
to silence clamor and to hOodwink the eyes
of certain Democrats who were disposed TO
give us trouble. Companion Rassmann
was chosen to move the passa1e of the kis-
sci annexation ordinance, and how adrolt-
ly he performed that duty IS known to you
oil. Applause.
THE browning conquest of the cord thus
far has been the strangllng OF the Indian
apOliS ~ Broad Rlppl raD1u-translt line.
Applause. We are ready to do oven
greater service for our master. the Citi-
Zens' Street-railroad Company OF Indlanap-
oils. Yet L have been painod TO learn that
during the past week a number OF our
brethren have complained somewhat of
the collars that company has placed about
their necks TO mark them as its own. These
complaints thus far have been mild, but
they are not to be encouraged. Any in
subOrdinatiOn will be promptly punished.
You are not only To wear the collar, but
you are on all occasions and IN all places to
say that you are proud of 1t. and that Won
would not exchange it for other decoration
that could be conferred by N prince or
%pOtentate."
Here an interruption occurred. "Te chief
s%trankler," said a rich scandinavian v voice,
'set We s'ond ware dot collar und De happy.
Dots oil right. L ware dot collar bot 1t
scragch mine neg alretty."
Rap. rap, rap!
He has not got through with collars yet by
any means. Other neckwear Is now being
fashioned for US, and the time may come
when we'll have as many rings around our
throat as an African princess We are even
now wearing the collar of the brewers
syndicate, which some of you brethren
seem to forget because it is lighter and
somewhat lOoser than the railroad iron you
have around your necks.
1--WE have opportunities for adding a
number of valuable agents to our member
ship TO assist US in s~trangling industries
and enterprises that might benefit Indian
apolis. 1 think it will soon be perfectiy
safe to admit to the my steries of our order
a majority of the members of the Board of
Public Works. We will first. however,
see what action they take in the matter of
street paving. There are some newspaper
men who, IN recognition of the great
service they have done us by working in
our cause. should lie made honorary
member for life. / Am aware that to pay
them this deserved compliment IN amend
ment must be made to our constitution,
and l trust this will be done. The gentle
men who have been gobbling up the Con-
sumers' Trust gas stock at 20 cents on the
dollar are so nearly in line with us. so
nearly equipped with all the necessary
qualifications for thorough and successful
strangers, that they should be voted into
membership without delay. L am sure
they would add greatly to the strength and
efficiency of our order. .us.sz
The roll of honor. the names of those
members who throttled the Indianapolis
m Broad Ripple raDid-translt line. will
now be thrown upon tho screen. These
we will contemplate in silent meditation
for the space of five minutes. after which
tho brethren will disperse to their homes,
observing the usual restrictions as to CON-
panionship and conversation"
These names as they appeared upon the
screen. illumined by a strong calcium
light, were: ,nn %