Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1892-01-13
ANNUAL MEETING.

ANNUAL MEETING.
The Odd Fellows Mutual BENEFIT
Association of This State Hear the
Annual Report and Make Various
Amendments to Their By-LaWs-
Omcers Elected.
The annual meeting of Odd Fellows
Mutual Benefit association of Connecticut
was held yesterday afternoon at the Odd
Fellows hall on Orange street.
The annual report of the able and eff
Gent secretary, George N. Moses, was
read and accepted. The principal features
of the report are as follows:
FEATURES OF THE sEcRETARY's REPORT.
And what has that work amounted to
Our record shows the grand total Of $973,-
23S paid in benefits to the families and
heirs of 500 of our members, who have
been called to cross the dark river, an |
average Of 81 .668 on each death. For &C.
curing this much to their loved ones the |
said deceased members have paid as fees |
and assessments the sum of $104, 688 So,
benefits paid for every dollar of cost to |
them.
In the matter of death and losses by |
reason of suspension for non-payment of |
assessment, the record for the year will |
show gratifying change from our report |
for 1890, and in the matter of membership
the gain has been gratifying.
The present membership is 1855, gain
of 60. In place of 81 deaths noted in the
last report, we find for the last year 46,
and in place of the 81 lost by reason of
have now but AZ to record for the year
past, decided gain in both these particu-
lars I earnestly hope the next annual
report will show as decided gains at all
points, and place our membership at 5000
at least.
Our membership of 1855 is divided in
grades as follows:
hree. QUARTER grade benefit at. 1860 1865
0ne-haf grade, benefit at: go. 1,oOO 15s
One-quarter grade, benefit at..... 500 II
ASS
Representing total of benefit of s. 7OO, GOO.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
Receipts
Funds reported last an
Received ssd, 'i Tees for ;' new ''''~' ~
members: ..e...... oo9 w
Received for assess
Rs msRssj for interest: n IFS g g
$1oes9s 81
The disbursements include S., O2O 81 for
current expenses; $67, 900 on 40 deaths,
leaving balance of $37,7 78.04.
The number of assessments issued dur
ing 1891 was "a, an average of two a
month, and less than for the year 1890 by
five. The excess of deaths over the num-
Der of assessments were met from the sur
plus and contingent funds to the amount
of $685. 900.
The average of the deceased members
does not vary but slight fraction from
| the figures furnished one year ago. being
| Sc years, 5 months and IA days. And the
| average age of the new members is pre-
cisely the same as for 1890, being 80 years.
By the mortuary table it will be seen no
| death has occurred during the past year at
| so advanced an age as was reported year
| ago, the Oldest brother to pass away being
David Dickerson of Middletown, who had
reached the age of rs, and the youngest on
the list was Thomas b. Mills of Ansonia,
aged 80. The largest number of deaths
occurred between the ages of 90 and IS.
The per cent. of death to average member
ship was more favorable than for year or
more, being one death in each Gil Nom
bers.
Within very recent period, in fact we
may say within about two years, there seems
to have been developed mania for new
associations, having for their protested
object the payment of endowments in va
rious sums at exceedingly short periods,
and at rate of expense to their members
that was so small as hardly to be worth
| consideration. Into these associations
went men of all ages and conditions, old
and young, the poor and the well-to-do,
would be as dollars to cents, when COM
pared with the cost they were as
sured it would be to them. Assess
ment after assessment was paid, hard
earned wages that should have been de-
| voted to other objects were used for the
purpose, small savings that had been laid
away for a time of need were drawn upon
| to satisfy the calls constantly issued until
those calls had augmented a sum far be-
yond and above the fattering promises
that had been held out to them by the
smooth talking organizer and agent; and
then when their term was reached, and
their endowment should have been ready,
what rude awakening from their fond
dream. to find their money, SO readily
paid in, squandered in exhorbit-
ant expenses of management. How
many scores and hundreds of the
people of this state are to-day regretting
the humiliating fact that they were so ca
silly duped, and among this number how
many Odd Fellows could be numbered who
have given their own association the cold
| shoulder because it tcost 80 much" and
they did not want to join an association
where it was necessary to Idle to win" It
has been hard lesson, for experience is q
hard master sometimes, but it is to be
hoped that the learning of it may be Of
value to all concerned.
What marked contrast when we COM
pare the management and workings of
our own association through its moro than
twenty four years; every obligation faith.
, fully kept, every benefit that became due
| fully paid, without question or hesitation
1t would certainly seem that it must be 6
source of great qualification to all it's mem
/ bers, to be able to point to SO honorable E
, record and such a period of useful exist
ence, and further it is hoped that each
and every member will have the courage
to stand up for and maintain an associa
: | ton that can boast so honorable record
where every act is for our encouragement
, | and not one to be ashamed of.
l The treasurer, Frederick Botsford o.
this city, reported as follows:
Total fund January 1, 1891. ......... $35, 827 81
a Received from George N. Moses, secre-
= tary. Observation-Disclosures. 1888 n