Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-11-28
STRIKING BACK.
An Equal Rights League Or
ganized at Lewiston.
Object is to RetsIiate Upon Society
for Sights OF Wrongs.
Numbers Nearly 1000 and Will See That so.
cieiy'' Toes the Mark.

Lewiston, Nov. 27.-(SpcciaD.- Monday
night, number OF mill employees met in
a billiard hall in this city and partially
organized what they choose to call the
Equal Rights Reform League. Resolu-
tions denunciatory of Prof Anthony and
declaring for fair play as between the
members Of society and the working girl
were read and adopted. Speeches were
made condcmning Prof Anthony's ad-
dress and defending the honor of the work
ing girl of this city.
1t was proposed that every man and
woman, Is years of age, who works for a
living, be asked to become members Of the
new league, and by financial aid give the
Woman's Reform League all it wants to
do in its circle.
The general sentiment seemed to be
that society is protected by the officers
of the law, while the working classes are
subjected to the enforcement of the law
1t is proposed to retaliate on society, for
any man or woman who may be arrested
for any crime whatever, with a member
of society. No one who il member Of
society will be spared if detected in mis-
behavior, and his or her name will be re
ported to the police with the request that
the offenders be warned that they must be
good or get out of town, as is the case
with the poorer class.
A committee of five will serve as pro
scouting COMMITTEES, and all working peo-
pie will be asked to join the league and
support the committee financially.
Tonight at an adjourned meeting, it is
said that O. b. Mastcrson was elected
president of the permanent organization.
An executive committee of five, whose
names were not given out, was elected that
will serve as committee ON law and or
der. Enrolment papers containing the
names of 543 men and women were re
turned, tonight, as active and associate
members.
1t looks now as though social war is
about to break out in the two cities. The
meeting, tonight, is said TO have been held
in Tammany hall, on Chestnut street.
The organization is a secret one as far as
it's meetings and the names of officers are
concerned. The first move of the league
will be awaited with interest.
1t is expected that in view Of the fact
that numerous kitchen bar rooms
have been raidcd in the past, some
of the gildcd palaces Of resort will be made
the center of attraction by the new order.
\. Mt is now known that two
ministers visited the saturday night dance
at Lyccum hall, on Lisbon street, and the
executive committee has their names.
1t is suggested by those who claim t
know, but who will not admit that they
belong to the new league, that the minis
trrs in question Were instrumental IN
bringing out Prof. Anthony, and the
executive committee of the Equal Rights
League proposes to show those ministers
II thing or two about some of their most
intimate friends.
The sentiment seems to be to strike hack
and to strike hard The new order appears
to be organized somewhat on the plan of
the Chinese Six Companies, with the muir
der act left out.
1t was noticeable fact that the streets
were deserted at an early hour tonight.
At A. NJ. the executive committee, 1t
was said, was still in session, but tn"
efforts of several reporters to find their
quarters We're in vain.
1t is now claimed that the new order
numbers about 1000 among the working
class.