Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-09-17
THE TRUE REFORMERS.


/ All conservative citizens of this
community viii note with regret the
troubles Of the Grand Fountain. T.
nited Order of True Reformers. The
publications which have been made
and the stormy sessions held re
Gently in this city will tend 70 injure.
If not disrupt one of the most pro
gressive organizations ever launched
by colored people in this country.
The change Of a leader as was done
in this case will not materially af-
feet the situation
Some of the disclosures now being
made viii occasion no surprise on
the part of those who knew OF the
great controversy, which was waged
many years ago relative to the legal
ity OF the action OF the Grand Foun-
tain I'm paying the founder Of the
Order fifty thousand dollars for two
/ fifty cent copyrights. But all of
that is now ancient history and the
present management is in no wise
interested in that remarkable occur
renee.
In our opinion. there was and is
| but one man who is thoroughly quail
I lied for the leadership Of the order
OF True Reformers. Il Is unfortu-
nate that there are not others to be
cognizant of the fact an6 insist upon
his assuming the relns Of Office. That
man is MT. W. p. Burreu. He knows
more about the organization in ev-
cry branch than any living person.
He was with the order at its birth
and should any such thing ever hap
/ pen. he will be with il at it's death.
He should not have permitted any
other person 60 take charge OF this
great organization at the most crit
icai period OF its existence. OF
course. it is natural for Mr.. Burrell
20 desire 10 shirk the responsibility,
knowing as he does the risk OF the
undertaking. but he should have been
made to take that risk. II ne can
not succeed with it, no other substi-
tute can hope 10 do so.
In the meantime, friends OF the
order should speak ia its favor. II
is able TO raise three hundred thous-
and dollars ir IL be necessary to save
it. Mr.. a. w. Holmes is well known
throughout the brotherhood and sis
terhood and he should be Loyalty
supported. lie is thoroughly versed
in the field work Of the organization
and his general demeanor and ana
Die disposition will be an asset from
the start He has one Of the most
dimcult tasks ever assigned 20 hui
man being. on his hands and he will
be required TO pass upon questions
that would puzzle a leader of the
greatest educational ability. For
this reason. he will need a cabinet
Of transcendent judgment.
AS for ex-Grand Master William
l.. Taylor. we might say that he has
done well for a man Of his attain
ments. That he has been able to
keep the saddle" is one Of the
marvels of this day and time It
was and is impossible for him 20 un-
/ derstand the intricate workings of
the great organization over which
ne presided. Yet he displayed ex-
\ ,,vtsrr, ,Isrft-- 80 81, t,frto-e - 4 -.
! He could not comprehend, il seems
/ the dangerous nature OF the financial
problems that confronted this insti-
/ tuition and as a result lad to be
forced out of a position, where de
voted supporters had decided he
must remain.
AS for the Bureau of Insurance
and Hon. Joseph Button. it should
be realized that the interests of the
thousands of colored people who had
all Of their earnings invested in this
Order were of primary Importance
and they have skiilfully handled the
complex questions in a manner to
least impair confidence of the mem
bership and the public and in a way
20 enable the institution to turn it's
face In the direction of the highway
of prosperity. The action taken has
been drastic and we might add well
nigh unprecedented and time alone
can tell whether the lends Will jus
tify the means"
The Grand Fountain, United Or
der OF True Reformers should not
die and it behooves every loyal cit
izen to use his best efforts TO keep it
from dying.
Arizona Democratic.