Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-11-20
special to Times Republican,

sustenance of the members.
Special to Times Republican,
Des Moines, Nov. 20.-Altho the ac-
ton of the supreme court in the case
asking for the dissolution of the
Amana Society is awaited with inter-
est many familiar with the society's S
affairs are predicting that sooner or
later it will go to pieces. 1t has been
one of the most unique and interest
ing religious communistic organiza-
tions known and has now lived for
many years. The society is very
wealthy in lands, goods and money, but
it is alleged by those familiar with
the society that the younger genera
tion is dissatisfied with the workings
of the society which is pointed to as
one Of the evidences that the society
must eventually go to pieces. 1t will
be a source of grave disappointment
to many students of social affairs If
it does for they have been watching
its growth for years with the greatest
interest.
The records in the case as it now
stands before the supreme court do
not show any dissatisfaction on the
part of the younger element of the
people. 1t is stated on good authority,
however, that this dissatisfaction does
exist. The affairs of the society are
in the hands of the elder people of the
community and it is claimed that three
old gentlemen who are patriarch MEM
bers OF the society have the full charge
of all financial matters. No games are
allowed by the rules of the society tho
the young men occasionally slip Off
out of sight in the shelter of friendly
hay left and play checkers with pants
buttons.
But the chief source. Of dissatisfac-
ton with the younger element is said
to lie in the fact that there is no nat
ural outlet for any ambition. 1t is get
up in the morning and work and go to
meals at the regular time and to bed
at night and sleep. There is no re-
straint on any member and if youth
desires to leave he can do So Some Of
them have left and many of them have
returned again to the fold. Others
after staying with the society for years
feel that they are then too old to leave
tho feeling that they would be much
better off had they left when young.
The dissatisfaction is chiefly with
those who having reached the age Of
IS or more, feel that they have spent
too much of their life with the society
to pav them to leave and yet are not
content to remain and as they claim
have no voice in the affairs of the So
ciety. Furthermore if they leave they
take nothing with them and would thus
receive no benefit from their years of
labor
Some years ago the society members
regularly went to the polling places on
election days and voted. 1t is under
stood that they now never vote except
in the township elections in which the
Amana. Society members elect all the
officers.
Those who oppose the selection of
Hon Cato Sells for national democrat
ic committeeman, now admit that sens
has the endorsement and support of
Bryan, tho at first they strenuously
denied it. c. w. Miller. chairman of
the democratic committee, predicted to-
day that Judge Wade would be named
nv the national committee for COM
mitteeman.
"But the friends Of Cato Sells say
he has the endorsement of Bryan" he
was told
"I know it. Mr.. Sells has the en-
dorsement and support of Bryan for
committeeman, but Mr.. Bryan will be
very foolish if he exerts his strength
and influence and forces the selection
of Sells" said Mr.. Miller. THE selec-
tion of Judge Wade will mean peace
and harmony in the party, and the Sc
lection of Sells discord. Sells got the
two votes of the stata committee by
misre present utation. He called up Alec
Miller by long distance telephone and
told him he had the support of every
member of the committee lacking only
Miller's, and so got his support.
know he worked Jerry Sullivan into
supporting him. too"
1t is conceded now by the democrats
Furthermore that both Dennison and
Porter. the candidates at the head OF
the democratic ticket, are supporting
Sells for committeeman. By republic
cans and democrats who have not been
mixed UP in the fight for committee
man It is expected that without any
doubt Sells will be named for state
committeeman.