The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-01-09
CITIZENS RELIEF.
Annual Election of Officers and Modif-
cation of the Society's Methods.

C9C1On Oh CuG SoCiCuy HAtthOass
The annual meeting of the Citizens
Mutual Relief Society was held last eve
ming, President George W. Beale in the
chair. The attendance was not large,
and consisted principally of men well
along in years. Secretary Franklin j.
Rollins read the report of the last meet
ing. Treasurer Rackliffe was not able to
be present, being sick with the grippe;
and his report was deferred to the next
monthly meeting, which will be Februa-
ny 9Th.
The election of officers resulted as fol-
lows, President Beale having declined to
serve another term:
Prcsident-W Washington Libby.
Vice Presidential. Aymar.
Directors-George A. Thomas. John L. Shaw,
d. G. Drinkwater, John f. Ahern, H. A. Muller.
These officers were reported by a COM
mittee composed Of Messrs. Charles E.
Warwick, D. G. Drinkwater, and Charles
Fl. Baker, and the society ratified the Sc
lection by vote. 1t was also voted that
the election of secretary and treasurer
be deferred to the next monthly meeting.
Mr.. Rollins stated that he could not
serve another year as secretary, his bust
ness being such that he could not give
the time.
Quite an important change was made
in the bylaws. Hitherto the plan of the
society has been as follows: Only men
between the ages of q and So were adj
mitted. Each man paid an admission
fee of So and an annual due of 81. Be-
sides this, he paid an assessment of a
dollar for every member of the associa-
ton who died. Working under this plan
the society has done great deal of good.
From 1875, the year of it's organization,
up to and including 1890, it has paid to
widows and orphans of deceased mem
bers S176, SO. In the last year it has
distributed about $4,000 among the
families of about twenty of it's deceased
members. To the last death assessment,
within few weeks, 446 members re-
sponded, making the death benefit $446.
1t is thus seen that the society is val
liable institution, with aprospect Of doing
much good in the future. But Of late
years, especially since the Gledhill af-
fair Of five years ago, new members have
come in very slowly. In the last year
but one new one was gained. Other in
surance schemes have taken the young
men, leaving the society composed most
ly of old men. Of course under such
conditions its fate is only matter of
time.
Realizing this, an amendment to the
plan of the society was made last eve
ming. Hitherto no man older than 80
years has been admitted. Last evening,
on the motion of Charles E. Warwick,
amended by Charles Fl. Baker, it was
voted that men over So and not over 70
years of age, be admitted with a grad
uated admission fee of 81 for those over
IS and not over go; S. for those over go
and not over IS; So for those over Is and
not over 20. For men under 55 the old
rate of SO will be charged. There was
also motion to reduce the death assess
ment from 81 to so cents, but this failed.
The idea is, as Mr.. Warwick expressed
it, ''to get in some good, healthy old
men," whose presence will make the
benefits larger. The society has not
been able to recruit any from young
men, SO it turns to the old men.
The next meeting will be on February
| 9Th, when the treasurer's report will be
made and secretary and treasurer be
elected.