Richmond planet., 1895-10-19
Emerald Fountain, No. 4
Refuses to Pay any More
Money in the True Re
formers Treasury.
DISSATISFIED WITH THE GRAB.
Hot lines at the Meeting.
REV. BROWNIES AGENT
OUSTED.
Chief Holmes Threatens.
WAR IN ISRAEL.
WAR IN ISRAEL.
WILL THE GRAND WORTHY MASTER
RETRAOE HIS STEPS2
A Review ofthe Situation.

The action of the Grand Fountain in
voting Rev. w. w. Browne fifty thous-
and dollars for plans which belonged
TO the Order has created wide-spread
comment al over the country, and
produced untold disgust and condem-
nation IN this city. Wherever there
be a congregation of two or more per-
sons, the subject of Brownies grab is
discussed. 1t now seems that the
whole scheme was carefully mapped
out. The question as to how much
would be paid for them was NOT
brought up during the session until a
few moments before the resolution to
vote without debate was carried. And
this was done too on the last day of the
session.
QUICK WORK FOR THE MONEY.
The committee who had the matter
under consideration did not consider
the price, and Rev. Browne did not saw
how much he wanted until a few mo-
ments before the vote was taken. IL
is now brought out that Rev. Browne
did not even retire, but remained and
thus added the influence of his presence
TO bring about the desired result. The
TACT that ON the remainder of the Or
der funds Rev. Browne holds q large
T..
Mr.. r. I, Hill says that only two
thousand, two hundred and thirty-sev-
en- persons own stock and accordingly
own the buildings.
HOW MUCH DO THEY OWN
If this is true then, about 2S,OOO
true heIormers own nothing not even
one dollar and twenty cents apiece,
ana those who own one, two, three or
~ n
comparatively little as compared with
what Rev. Browne would get, who
owns as much stock as the rules of the
organization will permit. There is no
member who owns more stock than
Rev. Browne, so he would be one of
the largest beneficiaries of the remain
ing 1886. .0O0) thirty-six thousand dol
lars of property value.
At this rate few people would get
everything, if anything were left. 1t
should not be forgotten that every one
OF the True Reformers employed at
the building here have had parcelled
on 10 them large slices of stock and
each one required to pay so much on it
each month. Secret meetings are
held, and other True Reformers de-
MED admission. There may be lust as
much method in this as appears upon
the surface.
WOULD NOT AGREE TO THE PURCHASE"
Emerald Fountain, No. 499, United
Order of True RefOrmers held its
meeting Friday night at True Reform
ers' Hall. Rev. w. +. Graham is con-
nected with this Fountain. 1t was de-
clded to consider the adVisability of
dlsbanding. The members were un-
/ willing to pay any more money if it
we're to be recklessly expended to nav
fifty thousand dollars for plans belong
| ing to the Order.
All visiting True Reformers were
asked to retire. One of Rev. Brownies
employees refused so to do, but when
Rev. Graham told him he'd have to 90
out or be put out and male members
moved towards him to carry him bodi
ly from the room, he reluctantly left.
Chief A. w. Holmes, who is EMPLOYED
by Rev. Browne knocked at the door.
and upon being denied admission
threatened to prefer charges against
the Fountain. The members went ON
with their business. The action of
these two individuals in acting as sDies
on their actions added to the aggrava-
tion and the members unanimously
| passed a resolution to disband at once.
A committee was appointed to petition
for the money from the sick treasury
and to hold the books and chart until
this is done. 1t should not be forgot
ten that every fountain in the United
States is required to send the money
in its treasury to Richmond. and
after once in the Bank is not absolute
ly at the disposal of the Fountain. It
caanot draw it out. unless it specifies
that 1T is for the sick and only in sucb
amounts as are specified. 1t rests
with the officers as to whether thew
will honor the orders. Put in as much
as you please; take out only what the
True Reformer officers saw. Fn-
erald Fountain is calling for her mon
ey and under the rules it cannot get
it. Rev. Graham declares that the
day of slavery is passed and that he
Will be a free man or nothing. The
right to assemble without beino
watched is one that he insists nno5
exercising. Indignation is a mild te,.r,
to apply to the members.
Rev. j. M. Armistead Of Portsmouth
one of the ablest divines in the ststa
condemned the fifty thousand doIIsr
grab in burning language in his nala-
tial pulpit, Sunday. Sept. 28tb. He
was severe on Rev. Browne and tbo
action Of the Grand Fountain H;s
cry was, "Kill me if you will. bnt donjt
rob my people," At the close of b;S
discourse numbers of True Reformers
congratulated him.