The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-07-18
A REVOLUTION AT HARMONY.
An Old Communicate Settlements oa
Celibates INDUCING In MatrImonys


An Old Communicate Settlements of
Celibates ImduIging In MatrImonys
From the New York Sun.
Since John Duss became senior trustees
of the Harmony Society, and as such, tho
ruler of the old village of Economy In
Pennsylvania, he has been slowly revolu-
tioniZing one of the Oldest and most con-
sentative communistic societies In this
country, The best proof of this is that he
is leading his people 10 reject one of tho
chief tenets of the ancient society," tho
principle of celibacy. He is not doing this
by direct attacks upon the old principle
laid down by Father Rapp, who founded
the society, and enJoined by Father Hem
rci, his successor. but by neglecting IL
entirely in all his preaching and teaching
The father of the present leader Of the
society was volunteer In tho civil war;
and not In any way connected with the
Harmony Society Mrs. Duss Joined tbs
society after tho death OF her husband.
and her 2-year-oid son grew up with the
quiet staid descendants of the old settlers
When IL years OF age he went 70 the SOL
dlers' orphans school at Philipsburg, and
when he was graduated he returned TO
Economy imbued with modern ideas Ho
showed lack OF respect for some of the
old institutions of the society by falling
In love at once with Susanna Creese, ona
OF the girls OF the village, ana moreover
determined to marry her. IL was out OF
the question to do this In Economy, and
so one day he leftth village and entered
! the Mount Union College In Ohio, and
| sought a higher education. He received
an offer shortly afterward OF an appofnt-
ment al the state reform school In To-
| peka, Kan. He accepted this offer and
married Susanna Craese.
OF course all this caused talk IN Econ
omy, but as the young couple were no long,
err members of the society, they were not
amenable to It's laws. But John DusB had
established a local reputation for activity
and leadership. In time It was considered
by the more progressive element of Econ
omy that his presence in the community
might strengthen its membership. Induce
ments were offered TO him, and he returned
10 the village united with the society. and
took a place in the village school. He
rose from one Office to another, and when
| Jacob Henrici died four years ago he was
elected senior trustee,
This office is the highest in the gift Of
the Harmonites. The holder OF It Is prac-
| tically the financial and spiritual leader
OF the community. The way Duss has
filled the Office has astonished the old mems
bers and gladdened the young. progress
sive people. lie breaches two sermons on
Sunday, delivers all the funeral orations.
and attends TO the sick and dying, These
are his spiritual duties as head OF the so
ciety. His secular ones are laborious and
engrossing. At present the society IL in
continual litigation. as some OF the dissat-
| isfied members are trying 20 break II up
and secure control OF some OF the property
Duss has so far succeeded Ia defeating all
the attempts to dissolve It. When Duss
a pretty muddle. The town was In debt
and there was no way TO pay Off the In
debtedness. To-day the community 10
free from debt.
There are about 800 Inhabitants In Econ
omy to-day, and the senior trustee Of the
| Harmony Society practically owns every
| house In which they live. IL Is comnu-
nifty society. in which all the goods and
property are owned by the society and. as
senior trustee. Duss controls everything.
The society owns ! 200 acres OF land on the
Ohio river. eighteen miles below Pittsburg,
and the old town IL located on beautiful
plateau ninety feet above the river. The
houses are quaint and old-fashioned. sur
rounded with paling fences. There are
brick pavements throughout the village.
and the streets are lined with cherry
| trees. The members of the society de-
rive their chief income from the farm
and the women as well as the men labor
In the fields in the summer.
The result OF Duss's example IN getting
married has already become apparent
weddings have not actually taken place In
Economy, but members OF the society
have gone elsewhere to get married and
| their membership has been forfeited. This
IL really the beginning OF the change.
some Of the old conservative leaders look
upon the revolution In their beliefs and
practices az the sure sign OF coming dis
solution.
The old town il to be practically DESERT
ed In time The plans and specifications
are drawn up for a new Economy. The
new town will be built upon modern IDEAS
OF what a town or city should be. new
style OF architecture will replace the old
4 quaint Dutch houses. The old town II
not 20 be torn down. Old members can re-
side IN the houses their ancestors built II
they prefer: but Il Is expected that there
will be a gradual exodus from the old TO
| Inc new. The present leader OF the society
| expects 20 attract outsiders TO the COM
| munity. He believes that there Will be
MANY worthy people who will join this
| socletv AZ soon as they see that II II to bo
run upon business principles. The society
| 4. ,o-dav poaseased OF considerable landed
wealth. and according to the system Of
| Community OF goods no poverty or suffer.
| tns, n experlenced by any OF the members.
| Arv new member receives the same share
/ 1, the goods as an old one, but Ia order
| IL loin Il Is necessary 20 accept the be-
| ilefs Of the society and 20 show a good
reason for the change Of life.
-s-@~e---
A Resemblnnce--A small boy. after
ertttn.t., eurve&finn tho new babv remark.