The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-12-06
SOCIETIES ALAR MED
A Recent Decision of the
Court of Errors and APP
peals Worries Them.
A BLOW TO BENEFIT ORDERS.
Delegates From Lodges Meet in
Camden and Appoint a Com
mittee to Secure Remedial
Legislation.
BLOW TO BENEFIT ORDERS.
Especial to .-rhs Jersey city News."l

Especial to The Jersey City News.
CAMDEN, Dec. 6, 1SsI.-Two hundred
delegates. representing 65 subordinate
lodges, in 10 different secret and bene-
fetal orders. met in Camde Saturday TO
take steps for remedying an apparent de-
feet in their fundamental Law This de-
feet was pointed out by a recent decision
of the New Jersey Court of Errors and
Appeals in the case of Roxbury Lodge OF
Odd Fellows of Rutherford. A member of
this lodge had been taken i'll and his sick
benefits having been reduced, he claimed
the amount in vogue under the bylaws
when he became a member. He got a
verdict in the lower Court and the lodge
carried it up to the Court of last resort,
which, a few days ago, sustained the
members contention, holding that the
lodge and the member had entered into a
compact which could not be altered or
overruled without the consent of both par
ties to it; that the lodge had contracted
to pay the member benefits of a certain
sum and they could not reduce that fig
ure without his consent.
Among members of secret societies all
over the State this decision was at once
regarded as practically a death blow to
them, as it would compel them to leave
unchanged for all time, no matter what
the nancia condition of their orders, the
benefit figures originally decided upon.
The meeting in Camden yesterday be-
came very much animated, and the ques-
ton was fully discussed in all its bear
ings. 1t was held in Leath Whites Hall,
Broadway and Spruce street. Joseph E.
hurry, representing the Red Men, was
made chairman; Howard Evans, of the
Shield of Honor, Vice-President; Daniel
M. Stevens, Great Chief of Records of
New Jersey of the Red Men, Correspond
ing and Recording Secretary; Harry Wen
deroth, Financial Secretary, and Thomas
Harris, of the Odd Fellows, Treasurer.
h orders represented were:-Brother-
hood of the Union, nine circles; Knights
of the Golden Eagle, three Castles; indie
pendent Order Mechanics, Lodges;
proved Order of Red Men, IA tribes; Jun-
ior Order United American MecnanlcS,
five lodges; Artisans Order of Mutual
Protection, one assembly; Legion OF the
Red Cross, two councils; Daughters OF
Liberty, one branch; Independent Order of
Odd Fellows, nine lodges; knights OF
Pythias, one lodge.
1t was the consensus of opinion that the
Courts decision is a death blow TO bene-
fetal organizations, which have proved a
boon and blessing to many a poor man in
III HOuE Oh need. II Was HOlSQ tudL Tie
Court had apparently ignored the fact
that all the orders required new members
to subscribe to the laws and usageS as
they are initiated, and that almost all the
orders have bylaws covering the very
point concerning decrease of benefits in
times of necessity, ana that the members
are, or ought to be, cognizant OF this when
they attach their signatures to the con-
and bylaws. 1t was further con-
that the member affected is, by
reason of his membership, a participant in
any change made in these laws after due
notice has been given him that such a
change is to be made 1t is a simple
proposition, to which even the mendmen
of the State or the National Constitution
is applicable. 1t would, be just as easy to
say that no corporation or firm could re-
duce wages without the consent of the
employe.
The meeting was unanimous for NOV
ing on the next Legislature for a re-
medal statute, and it was decided to ap-
point a committee, with full powers, to
employ eounse and draft & bill to be pre-
scented to the coming Legislature. The
committed appointed consists Of David
B. Peterson of the Red Men; L. E. Shep-
herd of the Brotherhood of the Union, and
H. S. Pine of the Odd Fellows. They
will make a report at an adjourned meet
ing, to be held on Saturday week next,
December Is, at Broadway and Washing
ton street.
In order to secure the cooperation of
societies in all parts of the State, the ofH-
GERS of yesterdays meeting will commune
cate with the Secretary of every grand
lodge in New Jersey, n shall then for
ward circulars and a draft of the proposed
bill to all their subordinate lodges. In this
way it is hoped to reach and interest
every one of the many thousands of mem
bers of secret orders, and secure their aid
in influencing members of the Legislature.