The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-12-01

AT THE A. o, U. W. TEMPLE,
The Ancient order of United Work
men OF this vicinity last night eelebrat-
ed the twenty-ninth anniversary of the
order by an elaborate entertainment
consisting Of concert, supplemented
by addresses by Grand Master Work
man Sam r. Nuzum and Past Supreme
Master Workman j, @. Tate, OF Ne
braska. at the Opera House, and a
banquet at the A. o. L. W, temple.
The programme at the Opera House
attracted an immense audience The
stage was decked vita appropriate in
sigma and lodge emblems, Officers of
the Wheeling lodges, together with
prominent local and visiting workmen,
occupied seats on the stage. Mr.. Frank
Cruise presided. and in Few remarks
introduced Grand Master Workman
Sam r. Nuzum, OF FairmOnt.
Mr.. Nuzum is an enthusiast regard
Ing the A. o. U. W., especially of the
orders growth In West Virginia, and he
devoted the principal part of his brief
address to the hourishing condition OF
the A. o. o. W. in this state, incident
ally setting forth the advantages OF be-
longing To the organization.
The Philharmonic Quartet was then
heard. Their PLAYING OF THE Cradle
Song was exquisite, and rapturously
applnuded.
Mrs. Flora Williams scored an addi-
tionai success, and was compelled to
how acknowledgements to her rendi-
tlon OF Spring is Coming"
Mrs. Ella Dillon Martin recited very
cleverly humorous selection.
A voice quartette, consisting OF Mrs,
Flora Williams, Mrs. PEBBLES Tatum,
Messrs Hughes and Day, sang credit
ablF. THE House That Jack Built"
The next number was the bass solo,
"The Song Of the Forge" by Mr..
Hughes, rendered in his usual artistic
manner,
The audience was then treated to the
pleasure OF again hearing the Philhar-
monic Quartet
Chairman Cruise then introduced
Past Supreme Master Workman j. G.
Tate. of Nebraska. who was rendered
an ovation.
Mr.. Tate prefaced his remarks by
paying a hi9h compliment to the songs
and music that had gracede tho pro-
gramme. It was not In HIS province,
said he to flatter. but he hadn't enjoy
ed such a concert for many day.
From this strain he gracefully led off to
his theme Mr.. Tate has good presence
and Is finished speaker. eloquent log
ical and forceful The audience listen
cd TO him intently, and every brilliant
period met with loud applause.
MR.. TATE's ADDRESS.
''Twenty-nire years ago in Mead
willie, Penna.. thirteen men, most OF
them mechanics by employment, met
and organized the first lodge Of the An
cient order of United Workmer. II
some stranger had appeared before this
handful of met and suggested to Their!
thar within period Of twenty-nine
years $1,000. 600 would DO required TO dis
charge their financial obligations 10 the
widows and orphans Of the deceased
brothers of this new order, and 100000,
900 more 10 provide for the sick and I'M
fortunate and the needy. they would
have been appalled, at their task and
given up n despair They only saw
that something ought to be done Ia
make provision against the time when
mother and children should he left
without husband and father to fight
Mes battles alone. They only knew
that up 10 that time no fraternal or
ganization had ever been engaged II
Huch work. They realized not the dan
gers that threatened. or the hopes that
beckoned them on: they saw only the
need Of to-day but had an abiding faith
that somehow and some way tomorrow
would take care of itself
1T seems almost incredible to believe
that In twenty-nine years this little
lodge has grown TO an army OF $4,000
strong. II seems almost incredible thai
from an inausplclous beginning should
have grown an institution which has
distributed to the benefclaries OF its de
ceased brothers 100000. and to IL
unfortunate living brethren S20,0OO,00l
more. Think Of t.; 800. 100000! WhC
can comprehend IT, and who can tel
how much of sorrow has been assauged
how much OF poverty has been prevent
ed and how much Of crime has beer
avoided by the expenditure OF this vas
sum OF money at n time when sorrow
and despair hung like pail over tn
homes Of our people?
NOT WITHOUT A STRUGGLE,
This has not been accomplished
without struggle. Many dangers hav'
been encountered, many dlfTlculte
have been met, many enemies have beef
faced But every danger has beef
avoided every difficulty overcome
every enemy beaten down, and to-da!
the order stands without a stain upoi
lis escutcheon and without blot upoi
ito financial honor.
I'm the early history Of tho order gu
plan was very simple one. Fact
member was required to deposit one dol
lar In the beneficiary fund when h
iolnpl the order, and whenever there
after tho death rate should demand II
an assessment Of one dollar upon nj
members IN good standing was levied
and out Of the fund go collected tn
death claims were paid II was believe
TIM, n certain percentage 10 growtl
could he continued. this plan could b
continued without lmperillng the satet,
OF the order but enlarged and cnlargln
membership and increasing age CAV
rnpld Increase 10 the number Of assess
rnenta necessary for tho discharge o
0ur financial obligations In some In
stances those assessments became e
heavy as 10 shut out from memborahl
Young mon Of our communities. and I
drive those already IN the order "a scc
membership In another. and Tor the tim
being cheaper Institutions After
careful survey Of our past experience
II was soen nat the old plan would M
work and unless we changed the plai
defcnt pwifj aud sure awaited Wa I'll
supreme lodge took tho matter undo
adWfemcut. md with courage born o
their convictions. made radical change
IN ouf method NJ doing business, an
gave 10 tho order what II now know