The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-05-17

cart. 10, sec. -
by one Of the amendmentsin ques-
ton this provision for advance pay
ments was wiped out, so that payment
OF no part OF the sum mentioned as the
face value Of the certificate could be
obtained until the expiration on the
full seven years contemplated rs the
period of maturity.
1T is quite obviousv4hat ID joining
the association aa|[ Ia contributing to
its fund, the stipulation for these adj
vance payments was material and
Iflattering indncement. IL was, iii fact,
q prominent feature which sharply
characterized tho enterprise and gave
ii an apparent advantage iii COMPETE
tion with other schemes. To obliterate
It was to destroy the organization as
a 'short-term order and convert ii into
a 'clear-cut seven-year order. Ex-
hibit, (.Gleaner
THREE YEARS CLAUSE.
Another Of these amendments pro-
vides for repayment to all existing
members Of three years standing, who
may claim it, the entire amount Of as
sessments paid by them, less any adj
vances for sick benefits or otherwise,
when their membership shall cease.
TO the extent that this provision
may be availed Of. II il plain that ii
amounts to the disarmament Of the or
der, and the dissolution Of the benefit
aud relief fund.
lkarn tto,,s AZ ,.a,,.sl,,f ..,.,..,.,, n. Al
conventional scheme OF association
might naturally be expected to cause
surprise and dissatisfaction, Al one
sided claim Of power over contracts SO
arbitrary and dangerous was well
calculated to excite distrust and alarm
as to to the future. So impressed was
the Supreme Council by the force Of
these considerations and by the ques-
tionable character Of the proposition
itself that, although it was IN contem-
Iplation as early as November, 1891,
its formal adoption was delayed until
the ensuing February, in order to
secure for it the apparent indorse-
ment Of 4 convention Of delegates.
Il This convention had, Of course, no
Legislative power, that being in the
exclusive possession Of the Supreme
ua az. .h o. Msasns -. l VII
! have been Of much more significance
If due notice had been given IF the real
object Of the meeting, and If their adj
vice had been taken before the adop-
ton Of the amendment by the Supreme
: Council. The circumstances under
1891 49, us so-callsu lnuolseInsnt was
, ~. WcIe sucn ~ " uePrlve i. 81
"a 1890 49, " us,geaa.s " 'essis
e ..hnsn .,o s,0ss sa.s poy.
.a.;aI $3.50 49, a.ss'vu ~ i,
s an.'a. vlgani0 uepas.atc atol .nc'
sulluall !, ~ scn'',ns, nos Wlsnln my
lalr aiu reasollaDle ln.elunlens q ~, me
Ieserveu power q anensament' lney
amount % confession Una. we scneine
itseiI was iaiiure upon tne hnes Org
lnaliy marked OUT impressed BY this
convic1ion, the duty devolving upon
the governing body, \ disinterested,
was pam. y was frankly to admit
lne nopeiessness 81 the enterprise and
y the Windlng mp OF the concern.
mol being disinterested, they preferred
% experiment upon other lines and at
tempt 70 alter the contracts Of MEM
pers accordingly, with this litigation
az the natural result.
TIME ON CHANGE
-,
The evidence u that although tho
amendments were not formally adopt
ca until February, 1892, the necessity
Tor changing the plan OF the order had
been apparent to the Supreme Council
as early as the preceding November.
With this knowledge in their posses
SION, and keeping It TO themselves, and
with public professions outstanding
directly to the contrary effect, they
continued making these advance pay
ments under the bylaws, destructive
TO the success Of the order, thus depict
ing the benefit and relief fund to the