Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-10-01
SOCIBTY.
3 AMERICAN UNION LEAGUE
BE ESTABLISHED
-An Organization With Broad and
al Prineiples-0bisc.s Published
6s he First Tina.

restricted immigration, with the
ssness and disorder for which it is
bnsihle; the growth Ct a spirit of
gious intolerance, fostered by the
eaHed patriotic societies, and the
gTrupt influence Of partisan politics in
Vocal government are evils for which
new secret society aims 10 provide reme-
dies. From the inception OF the move
ment, about year ago. It has gained
strength throughout the IoIntry and
Notwithstanding the fact that the or
ganiZatlOn now numbers aO0us uine
thousand members, there has as yet
been no publication in the newspapers
relative 10 It's objects. At the head OF
the movement are such men as u. W.
Willard, of Philadelphia, who is promi-
nent in literary circles, and a we'll
known magazine contributor; DR..
Thomas MaxsdOn, OF Indiana; j.
d. ThraSer, of Connecticut; John II.
Wylia. OF Massac husetts; L. b. Palmer,
OF Pennsylvania, and Hon. :. B. Taylor
AMI w. L. Howell, OF Ohio. All these
gentlemen are prominent in the commu-
mites in which they live. DR.. Ii. c.
Brannen, Of this city, has taken deep
interest In the movement, and has met
at different times with the other gentle
men named, and assisted in the forma-
tiOn Of plans for the conduct OF the
organization.
The new society is known as the
American Union League. IL is neither
& religious nor political organization.
II aims TO embrace in its mem bersnip
men OF all creeds and Of every political
faith, and 10 make them better citizens.
The standard Of requirement for admis-
sion 10 the society is based entirely
upon the applicants citizenship, and in
no particular upon religious faith. 10
proposes TO accomplish the results for
which IL aims, by the establishment of
a system OF local, district, State aud
National Leagues.
DR.. Braunen Yesterday outlined brief
y. TO REGISTER reporter the history OF
the movement, its objects aud the ma
chinery OF the organization. The
movement dates back one year ago." be
said. 1--WE did not intend to organize
any Leagues for the present, and would
not have done so but for the coal and
railroad strikes aud riots. IL was the
opinion OF the gentlemen who are prom
ioent in the movement that much OF the
prevailing business depression might be
attributed 10 an Overstocked labor mar
ket, caused by the unrestricted immi-
grafton Of an undesirable class OF for
eigners, who were brought into direct
competition eth American worKmen.
So long as the source OF supply exists
the evil must continue. We decided,
therefore, 10 advocate radical reform
in this regard.
1--WE also found large number Of So
called patriotic societies, or2anized with
one general idea, but with collateral
ideas which cancelled all the good they
accomplished. They all appear To aim
AZ Catholicism. They draw their mem
bership from two classes-the ignorant
aud those who are so oigOted that they
ard ready 20 believe anything against
the Catholic church. We concluded
thar there was an excellent field for a
society with broad, liberal and patriotic
principles. An organization would
starVe 70 death II fed on butone idea, 80
W. decided that il was the best plan TO
combine certain principles, laudable in
their objects aud beneficial in their re
suits, so that We could take into the So
ciety both Catholics and Protestants,
combining on a common platform Of
general good 70 the community.
I'VE found another prolific field in
the failure Of law and order societies,
which instead Of being a benefit, were
Continually stirring mp turmoil. By in
~ Of Il
evil. We concluded that il was hard 10
get results In community In which Of
fees are distributed as a reward for
party services, so we advocate the idea
Of local government being divorced
from political influence We aim 10 eS-
tablish a sentiment which will support
officers Ia the enforcement OF the law.
I'm regard TO schools we hold that il
Is not so much who teaches, but what
is taught. So far as the Catholic creed
is concerned, We find that IL is
as old as Christianity itself,
and the teaching OF Christianity cannot
make bad citizens. We advocate gem
eral standard system OF books in our
schools, public, paroehial and private,
In the primary grades. Congress should
make an appropriation, and the books
should be selected by commissioners
chosen by all the States. Then there
should be general school supervision,
and education should be compulsory.
When the children have passed certain
examinations they may be taught such
other branches as their parents may
elect The State simply wants 10 know
thot the child Is educated.
Local Leagues will be established in
Wheeling within few weeks. II is the
intention TO first organize Ohio, Penn
sylvania and West Virginia ard then
TO reach out into oth,r errifocy. More
than twenty organizers are now al
work, and il is expected that there will
be 20, 600 members on January 1st. The
secret work in the society is unim-
portant. Reading rooms and gymna-
Sums will be established, and all lit
erature will oe carefully inspected be-
fore il is permitted 10 reach the mem
bers. The society viii issue leaflets
each week, as much ofits work is neces-
sarily educational. Members will also
be Instructed in civil government, and
10 is proposed 20 give lectures from
time TO time, upon Interesting topics.
The social feature is one OF the most
important in the organization.