Waterbury Democrat., 1902-09-26
LASH FOR INDOLENCt.
Georgia Negroes Form Unique and
 Determined Society.
TO Whip Those of Their Own Race Who Fail to Provide for Their FanaiIies-Much Good AL
 ready Noncompliance.

Negroes living in the neighborhood of New Providence church, few miles from Dublin, Ga. have distinguished themselves by forming society which for originality probably has no equal in the whole country. The society IS, of course, composed entirely of ne- groes and has for it's object the better ment of the race, the medication of right principle and right living in the negroes, especially thosewho are mem bers of the society, and the making of better citizens of those who live in the neighborhood of the headquarters of the society.
 The plan of the society is to inquire into the mode of living of its members and to correct, if possible, any defects found in the character of those who belong to the society. To that end any erring brother who fails to right any wrong he has been guilty of is, on con- viction, sound1y thrashed in the pres ence of the other members of the so-. ciety.
 As soon as charges are preferred against a member he is at once not1- fled. If he corrects the evil complained of.by the next regular meeting all we'll and good. If he fails Or refuses to cor rect his faults as seen by members of the society, if not of all men, he is tried by court-martiaI. A court is formed, evidence is taken and his guilt or innocence established. The one un- der charge is allowed to procure coun- seI from among the members and IS given every opportunity to prove his innocence. If proven guilty the pun ishment is always whipping, which. the erring one submits to with the best possible grace.
 Since the formation of the society a few weeks ago three of the members have been guilty of failing to prove themselves good citizens and provident husbands and have been whipped. It was reported to the society that Mark Cadwell's wife was badly in need of a wash pot He was ordered to show cause why he had not provided his bet ter half with this most necessary uten- E sil He failed to buy a pot before the trial came off or to show when tried that his wife could manage without one, and still not be put to any great amount of inconvenience. Conviction therefore, resulted and Mark was whipped. The fact that he is a brother of the secretary of the society did not save his hide.
 Tn riding past the home of Early Bufch it was seen by one of the mem bers of the society that his front gate had fallen down. From all ap- pearances he had made no effort to l put it up, although to swing it again would require but little work and but a small outlay of money for hinges. On the trial of Early the facts were brought out that the gate had been I down some weeks and that his wife had
 made repeated efforts to get her hus-
 band to take more pride in the care of his home. Conviction followed and Early will remember long time the corporal punishment he received at | the hands of the other members of the
 society.
 The next meeting of the society will l be held at an early date and it is said l that at that time several members will be tried if previously they do not cor
 rect the things complained. Of. One l of the members, Lewis Burch by name, 1 has been SumnOu0u to SHOW cause l why he has not provided a tackle for l his we'll so that his wife can draw wa l ter with more ease than at present. It is said that the society is doing a l world of good in the neighborhood l where it has headquarters. It is mak- ing better citizens of the blacks who l are members.
 Even those who have not joined have caught the spirit of the thing and are trying to live the lives of mere useful citizens and to take better care of their homes and their families
 The white people living near New 1 Providence church in no way interfere l with the workings of the society
 They are well-wishers in the object of
 the society and hope that its results
 will be far-reaching. They are watch
 ing with much interest the results but are offering no suggestions, pre-
 ferring that the negroes work out I their own salvation in this unique way
 if that is their purpose and intention
 The existence of this strange society.
 says the Chicago Chronicle, is vouched l for by James Roach and other reput l able white men living near New Provi | danoa church