Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-12-27

in any matter relating to the society. All
but four of the 40 odd members signed this
contract Those who we're sick abed were
visited and signed the paper. 1t was all
done in an hour or two. 1t had not been
previously discussed and the members were
surprised, but signed in blind confidence.
With the same contract was invested in
Father Henrici and Mr.. Duss the legal
title to all the society's property and be-
longings
Trying to Guess Duss' Intention.
Fathers Rapp and Renrici enjoyed similar
authority, but it only By sufferance, the
confident ac9uiescence of all the society
members. Father Duss holds it by O written
contract, signed by nine-tenths of the men,
bership. What he will do with it is the
question worrying the Economics now.
Some of them have repented their haste in
signing, it is said, and would withdraw from
it if they could, but realize that it is too
late. The four persons who refused to sign
the agreement were DR.. Benjamin Feicht,
his brother Henry and their wives. It was
DR.. Feicht who brought Mr.. Duss to Econ
omy and persuaded Father Henrici to in
stall kim as a trustee. His relations with
Mr.. Duss are friendly. Why he
should refuse to acquiesce in the
agreement is not understood.
Some of the innovations made by Mr..
Duss in the society's routine have caused
concern in the society. By making the
hired laborers rent PAYERS instead of free
occupants of the houses they can remain in
their houses, under the law, so long as they
pay their rent. 1t is feared that now some
of these tenants may choose to open disor-
derly houses, pool or gambling rooms, and
cannot be prevented. If the Economics
should object, the renters having a large
majority OF votes, could elect their own
peace officers and take the control of the
town away from the society Heretofore
the tenants have generally voted with the
society, which is firmly Republican, and no
local political contests have ever occurred.
Governed by state Laws.
The society's property includes the whole
of Harmony township and the town is q
part of it. Consequently there are no or
dinances or laws but the State law govern
ing tine people. and by electing a justice,
constable and supervisors the tenants would
have tine law in their own hands and could
wipe out the peaceful characteristics of the
place. This they already have it in their
power to do.
The election of a new trustee will not
occur, Mr. Duss says, until some conven-
lent time after Father Henrlci's funeral
No one appears to have an idea who it will
be, but all agree that Duss will be the
senior. In an interview yesterday Mr..
Duss said:
81 don't anticipate any serious trouble in
the society no matter who is elected. 1
cannot say what the future of the society
will be- 1t is not likely that any more new
members will be admitted, the board of
elders being opposed to it. 1 appreciate
that the power of trustee is absolute, but
prefer not to say whether shall be elected
senior trustee. The board will decide that.
There are nine members of the board, two
being the trustees Both trustees have
equal powers 1 cannot see how anyone
could disturb our society by going into
court, as nine-tenths of the members have
signed the agreement. The only court suits
anticipate are from heirs of Father Rapp.
They have not a vestige of claim for any
thing. No one has now but the. trusteeG
By vesting entire ownership in the trustees
the society simpli6es its transactions with
business men, which was necessary owing to
the close scrutiny. made nowadays in all
business affairs"