IKE < .OMAHA DA1UY BEE : SUNDAY , MA110II 5 , 1893-SIXTEEN PAGES.
EFFECTS OF CONVICT LABOR
Interesting Expression of Opinion Pro and
Oon Penitentiary Induitry ,
HOW IT AFFECTS THE FREE WORKMEN
Tbfjr Claim Ilirlr Intr * lii Are Itijnrcd by
tlio I'rl.oti Product i t Lincoln Orlm-
timli Might lie Krpt From Idlrnpft *
ilmu Material.
The state of NebranUa pays 40 cents every
flay for ouch of Its prisoners in the ] > cnltcn-
tiarj' nt Lincoln. This is for the clothing ,
fnrdiop , lodpinp and puurdl.inBhip of the
convicts , and the money has been p.iid to C.
W Moslier. to whom the stole has subcoti-
tracu-d the labor of all its felons. The ROV-
cnior of Nebraska apjKints n warden and a
ph slrlnn us its agents to stand between the
cntnu't end the contractor to sec that no
hardship Is perpetrated.
I ndi-r the terms of the contract the state
practically dclf-palcs to the contractor the
maintenance and puardianshlp of all its law
brc.'ikf-ra sentenced to state prison and
uvaris Mm as subsidiary payment , in ntldi-
ti m to the 4H cents per capita per diem , the
con troll nip and oxvninp of the daily labor
and the u tiol" profits from the exercise of
suc'h t'ii ' ) of every pH oncr who in entered
uKm | i hi warden's books. A short time ape
> loshcr ostensibly resublet his contract ,
but ' hi- straw contractor's bonds have never
been accented bj the stme and Mosher is
thi otilj party to thi > contract rcuogiiiztM ) by
the state government.
The contractor , who is in nn House a manu
facturer but whn secured the contract as a
matter of business , sublets the labor of all
or any portion of the convicts to such ilrms
of 'liffrrctit ' Industrie * as may choose to put
in the pruilrntiary H liiHiiufucturliip plant
and hire the labor of the prisoners. The
prici palJ l > > subcontractor to the origi
nal i intruder , with whom the stute has
alotic t > deal is generally 40 cents per work
ing da1 fir such prisoners as may be em
ployed So that the contractor receives 80
> ents per day for every able convict within
the uribon walls , out of which sum he has to
assume the entire churge of maintenance of
thr stole prison , including even the payment
of the doctor's and the warden's salaries.
There sire in the penitentiary ; iH ( ) prisoners ,
seven of whom are women. Out of this -W >
there is a dally average sick list of eisht
men in hospital who are not required to
work during the continuation of acute ill
ness. This list is extended in a modified
degree by the doctor , who in cases of blighter
or convalescing sickness orders a decreased
amount of daily lalxir , though the subcon
tractor has to pay the 40 ecnts per diem
Just as if the man was able to work a full
day As a matter of fact women prisoners
do no hard labor not even washing they
being employed in little Jobs about the
household , such as darning socks and mend
ing clothes There are no children in the
penitentiary , they being sent to the reform
school at Kearney.
The sanitary condition of the penitentiary
is fair and the espionage not oversevere.
The morale of the prison is distinctly educa
tional and reformatory , and the men are as
obedient alid contented as the exigencies of
the situation admit.
IndiiRlrlcB nt thr IViiltrntlarj- .
There are four distinct trades and kindred
branches thereof in operation in the peni
tentiary at this time , viz : cooperage , iron
und wood working , saddle and harness
making and the manufacture of brooms.
In the coojKirage department ninoty-flvo
convicts are generally cm ployed making pork
barrels and lard tierces. The most im
proved machincrv is in use and these works
Lave a capacity of 1,000 barrels per day when
in full swing , every one of which is sold to
the packing houses In South Omaha. No
whishy or beer barrels are made , though the
Impression prevails among labor circles to
the contrary. The subcontractor for this de
partment is the Western Manufacturing
company , which lias 110 other working plant
outside of the penitentiary , except a branch
office at .Little Hock , Ark. , which is merely
the supply house for raw materials. The firm
Is composed of Messrs. II. J. Walsh , prcsi-
( lent ; M. D. Welch , secretary and treasurer ,
and W. W. March , superintendent of shops.
The Western Manufacturing company has
put into the penitentiary at its own- expense
what is claimed to be as complete a cooperage -
ago plant as is to bo found anywhere in the
t lilted States and employs fifteen free first
class mechanics , who are paid wages ranging
from flOO to fOO per month. Their business
Is to supervise and instruct the convict
laborers. The making of a lard ticrco or
pork barrel is subdivided Into three separate
kinds of labor. First , there is the rough
preliminary gathering and shaping of ma
terial ; second , making and finishing the
staves , saidthird , the hoopingwhich finishes
the product.
. The convict laborers are puton a daily
stint. The stave makers must turn out
staves for , and the hoopers must hoop ,
twelve barrels , at the completion of which
the convicts have finished their dally task.
After this is done all extra work is overtime
and is paid for at fixed rates. No labor ,
'however , can bo performed after C p. m. ,
when the state through its warden steps in
and shuts down for the day.
At the completion of his daily stint it is
absolutely optional with the prisoner
whether ho will work overtime or not , but
' invariably ho seizes the opportunity , as
work is preferable to confinement in his sol
itary cell , Besides , with the m ney thus
earned he can and does subscribe for weekly
newspapers and purchases caudles by the
light of which he can read , and feel in a
modified degree the pulse of the outside
world and the life his sins have sacrificed.
In winter the rule is to ring the boll not
later than 4 p. m. , and oven this allows the
men to make more or less orcrtlmo. Even
. with extra time the convicts seldom work
more than eight hours per day. Generally.
K all over six hours work is overtime and paid
for accordingly. This will surprise labor
organizations , which are struggling for an
eight hour day.
It is claimed by Mr. U. M. Welbh , assistant -
ant superintendent of the shops , that the
daily alloted task at Lincoln is much lower
than in other penitentiaries , and ho cites
Joliet , 111. , where fifteen barrels is the daily
Mint F.PT overtime work the prisoners are
paid 0 cents for hooping and the stave
makers get 8 cents per barrel. Those who
are not on piece work , but whb choose to
work overtime when it is required , arc paid
for such overtime at the rate of 40 cents per
day This money is credited to the account of
each prisoner and is drawn upon by him as
he sees fit. During the last three years the
contracting compauy has paid out to the
men in tobacco und candles the sum of
fafill and 82,449.69 In cash.
It is claimed by Mr. Welch that the lalwr
of thr'se convicts does not compete with
honest labor from the fact that there is no
largo cooperage in Nebraska , and ho states
that their nearest competitors are in Kansas
C'ity Omaha Central Labor union is of the
opinion though that "if prison labor could bo
stopped there would be a cooperage working
00 Mien established in Omaha inside of two
weeks , "
MuMnj : Saddler- .
In the saddle and harness department
forty live men are employed , twenty-three
onhcruess. twenty-one on horse collars and
ono on saddles. The subcontractor of this
branch is the Buckstaff Manufacturing com
pany of Linco'u. and nil the product of the
works Is sold in Nebraska. During the last
throe months f 19S.fiO has been paid 10 twenty-
two men for oicrtime.
The system of making horse collars In the
penitentiary is what Is known among the
trade as the team plan , which moans that
the labor is subdivided into parts such as
cutters , stuffers and sewers. This method
of manufacture is aUo in vogue in ttie fac
tory ut lilair , the only large collar factorv in
Nebraska besides Marks Bros , of Omaha.
The daily stint for stutters and sewers is
twelve collars each , after which the men got
paid fcr all the work they choose to do.
which is limited only by the prison rules and
regulations. The average dally production
is four and jue-half dozen horse collars , all
of which are dibposod of to the retail trade
in Nebraska.
i The I ee Broom und Duster company ,
Davenport , la. , has contracted for the labor
of thirty three convicts and uses them in
the manufacture of brooms and dusters. No
overtime is employ ed in thtmu works , so that
the prisoners cannot earn anything for themselves -
selves bat at the completion of their daily
task they must ba taken immediately to
their cells ,
lu the ironmoldiug and wood wo rltlng
branch stoves nnd fnrmlnp Implement * nre
the * ole product. It includes corn ahellcm ,
mowing nmcfmei and hny rukrs These
good * nrodlnpoftod of In ncnr-by rlitet.
The wmvleti tftko kindly to nny and every
kind of work , and sonic W-ome first du s
mechanic * , especially when it 1 * considered
that from the nature ol thing * they can take
no rel interest tn it.
For continued evasion of work a prisoner
1 declared refractory nnd punished , It is
claimed. Intelligently , kindly , but effect
ively. The dark cell or "black hole" Is the
usual thing , and two and a half days Is the
longest confinement , while one day generally
fixes him. The food sorvitl to prisoners is
said to be cluan and wholesome , dished up
like this : For breakfast , hash , broad ana
l > ot of coffee : for dinner , meat , bread , pot of
rice or barlev soup , for supier ] , a kind of
pudding with broad and coffee.
nnvot on I'rro l.ntior.
Organized labor claims that if the convicts
were employed at making i > ennaiieut state
highways , for instance , the industries now
affected by convict competition would spring
Into greater activity to the extent that
prison labor lu those trades was decreased.
The bill now before the legislature , sent
thither by Omaha Central I abor union , pro
vides that all convict-made goods shall be
conspicuously and legibly labeled as such ,
nnd intiicts a penalty ui ra any one removing
or defacing such tug before the article has
been sold to the consumer
It Is the expressed intention of organized
labor In surgesting this scheme to make the
product of convict labor unsalable , and , so
far as prison manufactured goods can be
made obnoxious , to that extent will the bill
fulfill the wishes and Intentions ol its pro
moters. The burning of a brand Into a pork
barrel or lard tierce would instantly destroy
its salabililj. as the packing houses could
not use a burro ! whicb would leave in doubt
whether it was the barrel or the contents
which were convict-made. The same ni > -
plitib to Iiorse collars , for it is claimed that
ver.\ few people would select u convict-made
set of harness or a horse collar so branded iu
prefeionce to the production of free labor
when n few ecnts is the only fonsidcra tion.
Still the necessity of suine Kind of labor is
admitted , but how best to solve the convict
labor question so as to reduce its competi
tion with free labor to a minimum is in
everybody's minds With this end in view
Tnc UEU has obtained the following opinions
from men in ever } ' walk of life :
Improve the IIlli | ! i.vn.
Mayor ( leorge P. Betnis I do not think
the convicts iu our penitentiary should bo
allowed to remain in idleness ; common
humanity requires that they be provided
with work of some kind. The work done by
them should l ! of such a character as not to
rome in competition with honest labor. I
would suggest that they be put at breaking
Mono to be used in macadamizing the public
roads of the state that would otherwise
remain unimproved. It is an indisputable
fact that our roads are in a
neglected condition , and this convict-broken
stone could be utilized it such a way that the
taxpayers who support the penitentiary
would reap the benefit of the convict's work.
I take it that the purpose of working ithe
convicts Is not so much to have the work
done at a profit as to furnish
some occupation for them. Regarding
the branding of goods I think no
manufacturer should be ashamed to put his
brand on the goods he turns out , and 1 think
it is but just to honest labor that the manu
facturer of convict-made goods be compelled
to designate those goods in such a way that
they may be readily recognized.
I'rotoct Holiest
W. .7. Council The law. as well as organ
ized eftort , should give to honest labor everv
protection possiole Tnc improvement of the
condition of the working classes who seek
by daily toil to support their families is the
one tiing ) above all others most to be
desired. This can only be done by raising
and maintaining the wage standard. The
standard of wages can only bo raised and
maintained by protecting honest labor
against pauper labor , convict labor
and other unjust competition and dis
criminations. From the humane standpoint
convicts in our penitentiaries should not re-
tnaln in idleness. I believe that regular and
constant employment should be furnished
convicts , but such employment should be of
such a kind as would not come in competition
with honest labor. I have not given tha
matter sufficient consideration to determine
the character of employment which would
be best adapted for this purpose. All articles
manufactured iu penitentiaries should be
properly branded. I think no one could
reasonably object to this being required.
I'uvorn llic J'ruscnl Systriu.
T. J. Mahoney The bulk of our taxes is
paid by workingmen. mechanics and } persons
of small property. These taxpayers bave
to foot the bills incurred for keeping prifa-
oners in custody. The best way , thereiore ,
to relieve these workinpmen and mechanics
of the burdens imposed on them by the
criminal classes is to set the 'criminal to
work at whatever kind of employment will
prove most remunerative to the state and
thus lessen the cost of keeping prisoners and
the consequent taxation of honest laboring
men for their support. The honest laboring
man can better afford to have the convict In
competition with him than out of his honest
wages to support the convict in idleness.
Alako Lawyers of Vrltonerit.
T. B. McGuire I would reniovo the cause
of crime by having the government own nnd
control all Industries which by their nature
are monopolies or can be made monopolies ,
thus giving to labor all that It produces. Ex
treme poverty would then cease and the
causes of crime would thus disappear. There
would bo no incentive to avoid work if there
was adequate compensation for all
those who desired to labor. Under ex
isting conditions , however , I would start
a law school and make our Jails reformator
ies in fact as well as in name , teaching men
and women who are sent to jail a higher
conception of their duties as citizens , and to
this end would have them study law , and if
their adaptability was proven to be in this
direction I would have them graduate and
Vecomo lawyers , thus lifting them to a
higher social scale , and that would prevent
thorn returning to the haunts of their former
vice By making lawyers of them we would
also prevent the competition of their labor
with the hatter , tailor , coot > er and other
skilled crafts.
Judge Bcrka I think that convicts can be
kept at work without interfering with or-
ganbed labor. My idea is that this could bo
accomplished by setting the convicts at the
manufacture of articles that are not other
wise manufactured In this state. Some of
the people who are making the loudest pro
test against convict labor do not stop to ro
lled that while the convicts of Nebraska are
not working we are helping to support the
convict labor of other states. For instance ,
some of the furniture which we buy here is
manufactured by the inmates of the work-
bouse in Dotrolt. Work is almost a necessity
for our prisoners , and , while 1 am not in favo'r
of any measure that would coullict with the
rights of honest labor , I believe that a work
house can bo so conducted as not to interfere
with anyone ,
( ilvo ConvlrUnu Mucliliicry.
W. A. J. Goodiu I recognize the fact that
convicts must IK ) employed , but let the value
of the produce of their lalwr go to their fam
ilies. or I would not have their labor produce
value , but if they must work , producing arti
cles of utility , let such methods prevail as
shall dispense with the aid of machinery.
No doubt thU Is false economy , but we are
living under u lalse system , and wbure wo
cannot find a remedy to heal a parent wrong
we must adopt u plaster to relieve a local
wrong.The
The Klmlni Itcfornirttorv 1'lnii.
Michael Nelson All prisons should bo re
formatory and I would suggest the copying
of n system in force at the reformatory nt
Klmira. N. Y. , which divides the prisoners
into two classes The first class is filled by
those prisoners who have not yet become
grounded iu the vice of sin. but those who
have made their first misstep. Those men
nnd women are hired out to fanners of the
surrounding country and put uion their pa
role of Honor not to escape. This removes
the prisoners from continued association
with those of greater vice , and puts the
young man or woman who has not yet be
come inured to vicious habits in the com
pany of cleanly , honest folks. If they
should break faith with the au
thorities and run away they would
upon recapture bo put into the sooond
class , but as u matter of fact few think of
escape. This method builds up pride in the
keeping of one'n word , suggests a new sense
of honor and lias a direct tendency to make
bettdr men and women of them. The second
class of prisoners are put to work at some
ajacent quarry breaking stones which are
used -in the construction of country roada
und the making of good turnpikes , thus
lessening taxation by the results of
which doe * no ; compete with honest
Ingmen. nnd prortnR of great benefit to the
farmer community surrounding Such of
the prisoners of the first class for whom
homes rnnnot Iw found are employed In
farming and pmdui ine food for the rest of
the prison eonmiun it \ thus making thr prison
absohiU'ljf.support ) ing. but in no rase
would I allow i onvict labor to lie assisted by
machinery or any of the Inventive art * .
I'rltoiiprx Too Ccitnti > rt l > lr.
W. S. Sebrlng 1 i m. hnv been and
always shall be an enthusiastic ? worker for
atid amongst orgaulr.ed lalior. I would not
hnve prison labor compete In any shape or
form with fn * men. I would- not have
the prisons made so comfortable und solf-
satisfying as would induce lagy men to go
there In preference to making an effort out
side. Society should not revenge Itself ui on
Its criminals by unusual punishment , but she
outrht to sec to It that the prison shall be a
prison und all that the word Implies. As a
matter of fact the prisoners in the peniten
tiary at Lincoln are much bettor off than
thousands of men struggling for a living In
Nebraska. They are well fed , well clothed ,
well housed and lightly worked , having
neither responsibility nor care. They
are not afraid of losing their Job.
neither is it not essary for them to
agitate amongst themselves to organize n
strike against a reduction of wages. They
will never be locked out. They obey the
eight hour law of Nebraska and work less
than eight-hours a day , which should jiolnt a
moral to some of the labor organizations out
side. They earn enough by overtime to buy
tobacco , subscribe for newspapers and send
money to their relatives. Christmas presents
to their sweethearts , etc. About as good a
way as any is to set these convicts to work
breaking stone and have them make good
and uermanent roads iu Nebraska so that
farmers may come to town all the year
around and'thus give Omaha and other cities
the benefit of cheaper farm products. Con
vict and slave labor was the only kind used
at one time and the old Homan roads , made
entirely in this way , remain in good shape to
this day. Besides , this form of working
convicts will compete less with free labor
than any other form.
A I > nti > rtl\f' . View.
Chief Detective Hayes In my opinion
there is no form of human industry that wo
could put them to work at but what would
conflict with free labor , and while this com
petition may be tritliutrly injurious to the
welfare of organized labor such injury is
more than offset by the great good to the
commonwealth by the teaching of these un
fortunate people to earn their living honestly
and respectably. I have had many years
experience in this line and am sure that
many young men who get convicted have
never boon taught 11 trade. This may proba
bly account for the necessity which drove
them into crime. If our system
of criminal laws be responsible
for so many of these eases the state ought
to act as father or guardian and teach them
u practical trade with all the latest im
provements of machinery , so that when they
came out of prison they could step into a
like business alongside of another man aim
nobody know the difference. Because n
man has been to prison ouco is no reason
why he should be hounded to the death.
The Contract sjxtttiu Wronjj.
Rev. John Williams You ask for my
"solution" of the convict labor question.
He is a presumptuous man who offers any
solution of so vexed a question , with the
feeling that he has sounded all its depths
and difficulties. Still there must bo a solu
tion somewhere of evei-y problem of human
life , if men will only honestly seek it out.
With regard to the convict labor question ,
these principles I think must be allowed :
First. Every man shouldbe made to earn
his own bread. The criminal should not bo
allowed to cat the bread of Idleness at the
cost of the law-abiding.
Second. Punishment should be both penal
and remedial. Many criminals have simply
fallen by the way , the victims of hereditary
or wrong education. Some of them are re-
claimable. It is the duty of society to re
claim nnd restore them. All criminals
should be made to labor for self-support.
All should bo taught habits of
obedience and usefulness , so that
they may be able if they will
to maintain themselves by honorable in-
drstry when they step out into the world
again free. If they know no trade or occu
pation they should be taught one , that they
may have a fair opportunity to begin the
battle anew.
Third. If these principles be Just and fair ,
then it follows that what they produce while
under duress should find a fair and equitable
market , Just as the products of free labor
should find it , without opposition from work
ingmen.
But then it is utterly , absolutely unjust
and injurious to the state to use convict
labor so as to depress free , law-abiding labor
outside. The products of convict labor
should not be thrown upon the market to de
press it. No private contractor should be
allowed to employ convict labor to depress
free labor or underbid it. The state should
erect its own manufactory and employ its
own wards , first for self-support , then for
fitting them to live honest lives , if they
will , when they stand as free men once
more.
If this course were pursued It would be a
shortsighted as well as an utterly unjust
policy for labor organizations to oppose them
selves to convict labor or Its products. The
convict should not be supported in idleness.
Ho ought to be allowed the chance to recover
himself by learning someuseful trade or occu
pation by which he may bo able yet to stand
as a man among men , instead of being forced
to steal again.
But labor organizations are Justified in re
sisting that use of convict labor which un
fairly , unjustly serves to depress the labor
market , either by the contract system or by
underbidding the market by cheap labor
product.
Dr. Gluck treats catarrh , Barker block.
CllACKb OF TilK rOVXGSTKttit.
Chaunccy M. Dopow's son Buster is de
veloping into quite a numorist , much to his
father's regret.
Mr. Dcpow asked the boy the other morn-
lug how he was getting along with Latin and
Greek.
"They're aead languages , oint they ? "
"Yes , " said Mr. Depew.
"Do you know what I think ? " continued
Buster.
"Not always. "
"Well , I think they must have been killed
by being studied too hard. "
"Mamma , " asked little Frances , "is it
wignt to put glass in your mouf ? "
"Oh , no , baby , it isn't , " replied mamma ,
earnestly.
"Why isn't it ? "
"You might swallow it and it would kill
you if you did. "
"But u little boy at the kindergarten put
glass in his mouf dis morning. "
"I hope you -will never put glass in your
mouth , will you , Frances ? "
"But , mamma ! "
"Woll ? "
"The little boy at the kindergarten put
glass iu his mouf so he could dwink out of
Ft ? "
A wise little boy whoso Sunday school
teacher distributed slips of paper to scholars
and asked each to write thereon a New
Year's resolution decided to make a resolve
which ho would be able to keep and secure
the prize offered to the boy who , at the be
ginning of another year should have come
the nearest to keeping it. Ho wrote.
Resolve. That i wil tri too bee a yeer older
by iiex uoo years.
Parson Jones ( returning from church , to
small boy with n pole ) Do you know where
little boys go who go fishing on the Sabbath ?
Small Boy ( with pride ) You Just bet I do ,
nnd I ain't a-golu' to give the snap away ,
Dither !
Sunday Srhool Teacher Now , Tommy ,
what are you going to give up during LentT
Tommy ( thoughtfully ) 1 think I might as
well give up trying to be good.
Fond Father My son , you should never
put off until tomorrow that which you can do
today.
Smart Boy In that rase I'll eat the rest
of that pio.
"Johnny , what are you going to do when
you got to bo a man ! "
"I'm golnir to bo a boy preacher , " replied
Johnny , confidently.
There are three things worth saving
Time , Trouble und Money and Do Witt's
Little Early Risers will save them for you.
Tboew little pills will save you time , as they
act promptly. They will save jou trouble us
they cause no pain. They will save you
money us they economize doctor's bills.
A Reriffw of the Irrfjiroved Order of
Bed MOIL
THE ADVANTAGES OF 'BEING ' A BRAVE
With tltfl Union Vrtrran l.rclon AVIija
Kniionn Society DlnUalfdnl AVIiUjmr-
lng rroin the Vpntlliulri of
Oilier I'ntteruat Orilrro.
OMAHA. March 4. To the Editor of TIIE
BEE : My attention has been attracted to an
article which appeared In THE SI-XDAT
BEE of February 19 , under "Echoes
from the Ante Room. " written by
Walter A. Hice , his subject being fra
ternal societies and benefits to be derived
from them. He says if one desires to enjoy
the fraternal advantages of a society , im
pressive ceremonies , royal regalias , uni
formed processions and a xvide
acquaintance he naturally turns to
the Masons , Odd Follows. Knights
of Pythias or Elks. If lie wants plenty of
fun in his bill of fare , and has a good insur
ance upon his life , ho may venture to knock
for admission at the doors of the Hcd Men.
If. however , ho seeks pwunlary benefits
only , some protection for his home in case ho
is ui'ejcpwtedly taken away , he will look
carefully over the lists of insurance orders.
He will , of course , prefer the society that
furnishes the largest amount of protection
at the lowest expense per nnnum. He tells
us what prand orders these are , all except
the Ked Men.
He ignores them altogether , leaving the
public under the Impression that they lire or
ganized for fun only. Now. let us see what
we get for fun. In the first place should a
brother be taken sick he has a committee to
wait on him and $0 per week sick benefits.
There is also an insurance in this order ,
which is left optional with a member.
What are our objects ; What is the order
expected to return to humauitA for what hu
manity has given it ? Freedom , friendship
and charity. The spirit of freedom that
brought forth this country is in our motto ,
uud are we not proud of OUF country and our
order. ' We are taught that brotherly love
does not wail for the brother to express his
needs , but seeks the brother out : that friend
ship , which illustrates the hospitality of the
Indians , which is so characteristic of the
race , is what we are striving for in dispens
ing the charity of our organization.
I need only say that the benevo
lent work , since its foundation ,
can be estimated only in millions. During
the last fiscal year more than $ 1,000,000 has
been given in charity.
We have still another feature. We visit
the sick and relieve the distressed , bury the
dead and educate the orphans.
The name seems strange and peculiar.
You migtit say all this good work could be
done and patriotism stimulated without the
barbarous name , but to the lover of the order
that is one of the best parts
of it. We are an American
institution , existing in America ,
and with American ideas. The teaching of
our order is the bringing and elevating of
mankind to a higher existence. Is it not a
good thing that there be a national organiz
ation , national in its inspirations , patriotic
in its influences , loving the fiae. and teach-
imr patriotism to the children ! Because on
them will soon fall the burden of supporting
that flag.
Just twelve years ago there were WK ) tribes
with a membership of 27,0(10. ( Now there
are 1,000 with l.TO.OGO members and today
our order stands by the side of the proudest
of all fraternal organizations.
In the reservation of Nebraska there are
sixteen tribes , with a membership of 2,000 ,
with a prospect of doubling that number before -
fore another year. Iu > Omaha there are two
tribes of Improved Order. of lied Men and
two councils of the degree of Pocahontas ,
all in a thriving condition. New members
are being adopted at every council. Monday
evening. March fi. Yau-nuu-dah-sis tribe No.
3 wil exemplify the now'adoption ritual , and
all chiefs ana visiting chiefs are cordially
invited , as they can ( always find our latchstring -
string on the outside door. G. W. OLLIS.
Knights of rytlilns.
At a special meeting of Ouster division
No. 34. Uniformed. Hunk of Nebraska. City
the following onicers were elected for the
ensuing year : Captain , E. F. Ware ; lieu
tenant. H. H. Fass ; lierald , I. N. Phifer ;
treasurer. J. E. Conley ; recorder , J. W. Butt ;
installing officer , E. D. McCallum.
Tuesday evening of last week occurred the
annual ball of Planet lodce No. 4 of this city.
The membership of Planet lodge is composed
of Gorman citizens and includes some of the
most widely known and respected residents
of Omaha. The ball was an unqualified suc
cess , the attendance largo and the enjoy
ment complete.
The Omaha Knights are working to mas
ter the new ritual. The old ritual was dis
carded February 22 , and all lodges were pro
hibited from its further use after that date.
For the past three weeks the members bave
been wrestling with the new and are coming
out victorious. There are many things m
this world easier to accomplish than master
ing a new ritual , and this is particularly
true in the present instance. The new secret
work is described us being something grand
and almost beyond conception in its - workings
ings and impressiveness , and far ahead of
the old. The boys are all in love with it ,
and will soon become proficient in the work.
A new lodge has been instituted at St.
Edwards by Grand Chancellor Dale. It
gives promise of a prosperous future.
Kutheven division of McCook now numbers
thirty-one members. The folioing are the
officers : Captain , A. F. Moore ; first lieu
tenant , A. A. Hackman ; second lieutenant ,
Joseph Bobb ; recorder , Ed Laycock ; treas
urer , G. W. Predraore.
Coucr de Leon lodge No. 05 was organized
December 10 , 1S1KJ. Todaj they number over
fifty members , and more , they have a di
vision of the uulform rank composed entirely
of their own members. Their enthusiasm
knows no bounds , and it is not that alone , it
is an earnest determination to be in the front
rank in Pythian matters , to reap every
benefit that can possibly be derived by mem
bership in the order , a spirit that manifests
itself on every occasion. Wchn Olivere
lodge was instituted at Petersburg they
went over in full uniform and by specia'l
train. Some might have thought that it
was because they were in charge of the
work , but not so ; when Elgin No. 155 was
instituted No. 10 ! ) of Neligh was in charge ,
but Oakdale came over in full force , in full
uniform and oy special train. Some of the
older lodges ana divisions can get valuable
"pointers" from Oakdale. ICnight's Jewel.
AVIir a Kuusii * Secret Sucili'ty IHhliamlpd ,
The "History of the University of Kan
sas" whispers in the public ear an account
of certain practical Jokes , which from time
to time enlivened gray scholastic days. At
one period a secret society suddenly broke
into being. The boys ( composing it wore a
badge consisting of the letters "T-C. " at
least two inches longwrought out of new tin
No one could guess what the object of this
society could be , until ( I was discovered that
turiteys were mysteriously disappearing
from various localities. '
The matter ran on until in an unlucky hour
the ooys raided the poultry yard of Judge
Nelson Stephens. Now , the juage was not a
man to be trifled with. Ho soon detected
the rogues and he resolved forthwith to
punish them in his own peculiar way.
Without mentioning his discovery outside
his own family he politely invited all the
'T. C's" to supper. They wore delighted with
the invitation and accepted it forthwith
The judge received them most cordially and
kppt them in a roar with funnv stories until
supjter was announced. Still shaking with
laughter the guests were shown into the din
ing room and assigned their places
On the plate of each "T C. " was a huge
turkey ! The Judge l > cgged each guests tn
help themselves , and went on with his funny
stories as if accustomed to serve guests with
whole turkey every day in the your.
The boys were in torture ; .they could
neither eat nor listen. The judge , however ,
too polite to notice their embarrassment ,
simply urged them to eat , and kept on with
his stories. Thus did ho "roast" the boys as
thoroughly as ithey had over roasted his
turkeys.
That very night the disconsolate "Turkey
Catchers" disbanded , and their badges were
seen no wore.
Union Veteran I.c-piou.
The society known as the "Union Veterar
Lesion , " as the nnmo indicates , in n union of
veteran soldiers of the Into war only To
become a member of this organttntlon the
applicant must have been an oMVer snlrnr ,
soldier or marine during the war of the re
bellion , who voluntwml prior to July 1 ,
1818 * for a term of three years , and was
honorably discharged for any oauw * nfUsr a
sen-ice of at least two continuous yours , or
was at any time discharged by rmson of
wounds received In line of duty No drafted
person nor substitute nor anyone who has
at any time borne arms against the United
Stales is eligible. The objects of the legion
are the cultivation of true devotion to Amer
ican government and its Institutions , the
moral , social and intellectual improvement
of its members , and their relief and the
relief of their widows and orphans in sick
ness and distress , and the preservation of
friendly relations among the e who fought
for the safety of the American union.
The legion was instituted for the sole pur
pose of bringing together the veterans of
the late war who would naturally have that
warm and fraternal feeling which grow out
of long service which they experienced , and
it is believed that those who entered the
service prior to July ISM had but one
object in view , the preservation of the
union. There were no largo bounties at that
date , nor were there any fears of a draft.
consequently those who shouldered a musket
or wielded a saber felt that it was a sacred
duty to offer their lives in defense of their
country's honor.
The legion does not for n moment question
the patriotism or bravery of those who en
tered the service nftcr that date , but there
were many who donned the blue for the
large amount of bounty paid or through fear
of a draft. It was therefore thought that
the dividing line , as indicated above , would
result in brincing together those whoso
patriotism could not be doubted. The vol
unteer army of 1801. 1802 and ISKt was the
most intelligent and finest army ever mar
shaled in the history of the world.
The lapel insignia of the Union Veteran
I egiou is a small bronze shield , and neither
favoritism or iufiuence , social or political ,
can secure the honor of receiving it. It is in
itself an evidence of patriotic , long continued
service and of an Honorable discharge from
the ranks of our country's defenders.
The membership of the leirinn at present
numbers about ' . ' 0,000. and is rapidly in
creasing , though the Held to draw its mem
bership irom is not large. It is estimated
that there is less than 20 per cent left of the
army which went to the field prior to July ,
1SIM.
1SIM.The
The Ladies of the Union Veteran Legion
are an auxiliary to the Union Veteran
Legion. The mothers , wives , widows , sis
ters and daughters of veterans who are eli
gible to the Union Veteran Legion are ad
mitted to membership in the Ladies of the
Union Veteran Legion. Yirrciux.
Woodmen of the World.
Sovereign Consul Commander Root of this
city has gone to Canada upon official busi
ness for the order. At the recent meeting of
the executive council of the Woodmen , held
in Omaha , he was instructed to proceed
there and take the proper steps to secure an
act by the Dominion Parliament that will
enable the order to incorporate in that eouu-
trv. Hopes are entertained that his mission
will be succesful and the jurisdiction of the
order be extended to the Dominion.
Hereafter all who attend the Alpha camp
entertainments will be required to give at
the outer door the current pass word. With
nearly 1.000 members to provide entertain
ment this step has been deemed necessary
to prevent a Jam of people who are not Wood
men.
men.Less
Less than two years ago the first camp in
Missouri was instituted at St. Joseph. From
that time the order grew in that state and
this jurisdiction now embraces seventy
camps , and four new ones are being organ
ized.
Dr. Gluck treats catarrh , Barker block.
T11E
Cincinnati Commercial ,
lu those days of evolution when n maid pro-
tpuds to Iniiu
All the men of God's creation , and she thereby
M-uls her futo ,
She will start to lecture boldly on the rights of
womankind ,
While the young folks serenade hur with "The
Girl I Left Uehlnd. "
She Is called n splendid speaker , for she talks
of marrlud life
And th Impositions wrought upon the poor ,
Imrd-worlclni wife ;
Hut this whimsical old spinster has an eager ,
watchful 'yH ,
And Is longing for u sweetheart and a marriage
on the sly.
She is just the kind of creature who would
like to have her voice
In the cuveriiiiioiit of nations ; it would make
her heart rojolcn.
Tor there Is some consolation for a poor , old
lonely heart
In political excitement ; so she takes an active
part.
Then she dies unwed and lonely , and In fool
ish , Iculous spite
Leaves a book on woman suffrage which Her
Grace had dared to write.
And all girls who take example from this un-
conli'ntrd soul
Will be likewise disappointed and chalked on
the spinster roll.
Nine hundred and eighty millions of dollars
lars are Invested In the 140,000 churches in
the United States.
Protestant churches in Germony contrib
uted 2,000.000 for the deaconesses work
80,000,000 for home and $1,000,000 for foreign
missions the past year.
Pore Charmatant , founder of the order of
the White Fathers , who was born in France
in 1844 , has liecn appointed to succeed the
late Cardinal Lavigerio as primate of Africa.
Hev. Francis Wollc , the most widely cul
tured Moravian of the day , died at Betnle-
hein , Pa. , last week , aged 75 years. He was
an author , preacher , educator , inventor and
scientist. He invented the paper hag and
the machine to make it in 1S52.
In a discussion of the "evangelization of
France. " recently had in a meeting in Now
York , it was stated by Ilev. E. J. Duffv.
pastor of the Reformed church of Paris , that
there are now only 70.01(0 ( Protestants in
France , the result of sixty years evangelical
labor.
Rev. Byron Sunderland , D.D. , has Just
completed the fortieth year of his service as
pastor of the First Presbyterian church of
Washington. Dr. Suuderland is pastor of
the church which was attended by Presi
dent and Mrs. Cleveland during their resi
dence in Washington.
A vast Hindoo conference was recently
held at Benares , India , and a day was set
apart for special pravor to the Hindoo gods
for the preservation of their religion This
is probably the first time that such a thing
has been done in any pagan lanu , und it is a
great concession to the growing power of
Christianity.
The Southern Presbyterian church is to
have a new theological serniunrv. to be lo
cated prubablA at Louisville. K.and to be
open for the reception of students as oarh
STORE FIXTURES
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ESTABLISHED 1866.
JEOR
WATCHES
Go at prices lower
than ever. Gold , Sil
ver , rilled , Nickle
all makes and de-
slpns. tSee our Grand
Display in the six ele-
pant .slu > \ \vindo\vs. .
All articles cent -
t a i n u d t h c r c i n
marked in
PLAIN FIGURES
200 of the above style filled case watch , stem wind ,
'U althum or Elgin -Movements ,
$12.50.
Gents' nold filled watches from $12.50 upwards.
Ladies' gold filled watches from SI 1.50 upwards.
Gents' solid gold watches from $22.50 upwards.
Ladies' solid gold wathcs from $21.50 upwards.
Gents' soil J silver watches from $8.50 upwards.
Ladies' solid silver watches from $1.75 upwards.
Nickel stem-wind watches from $ : M)0 ) upwards.
Sterling silver ( English , you know ) , 925 fine , goes at $1.25
per ounce. All Hat ware at the above price. All the latest
Patterns and Designs.
QUITTING Wholesale
RETAIL. ONLY.
as next September. The synods of Ken
tucky and Missouri unite in this work- that
of Kentucky , securing the location of ttic
seminary , is to provide an endowment of
JKIOO.OOO , and at least fltt.OOO for ground and
buildings. Of this amount jm.iHK ) has al
ready been raised in Louisville , and it is ex-
pactud that the full amount will souu be se
cured.
In speaking of the inborn character of his
distinguished brother's religion. Kev. Arthur
Brooks , in a eulogy of the late bishop said
that it had become so controlling a factor lu
his life that , although left entirely to his in
clination , lie had turned to the ministry as
his life work , even before ho had finished
his college education at Harvard. He had
not regarded it in any sense as a sacrifice ,
but a privilege. It was a choice , too. made
against protests of his cell < ' ? c mates , to
whom his early achievements with them had
given promise of a greater career.
It is reported that Rev. Julius H. Ward , a
well known Episcopal clergyman , who is edi
torially connected with the Boston Herald ,
will be appointed to the 'Bohlen lectureship
of Philadelphia this spring , and that he will
choose for his topic the duty now lying on
the Episcopal church of providing some
bridge or concordat for the recognition in
some form of non-Episcopal clergymen , in
order that Christian union may be promoted.
A circular letter of a sermon factory has
by some accident , become public in London.
It commences by stating that it is recognized - I
nized that in consequence of overwork and
other causes some of the clergy cannot write I
all the sermons they have to preach , and ]
goes on to remark that the writer is an experienced - I
perienced preacher , long accustomed to the J
composition of sermons , who has prepared
several courses in past years , which have
met with much approval , and who has been
asked by old correspondents to furnish
courses for another year. Their style , he
modestly declares , is plain and earnest ,
while their spirit is decidedly practical. The
scale of prices is amusingly graduated ac
cording to the circulation of danger or detec
tion. The discourse limited to ten copies for
all England , commands 5 shillings. If fifty
copies are circulated the price is only ! ! * cents
each. In no case are copies of the same ser
mon sent to places less than twenty-five
miles from each other.
Muhammed Alexander Russell Webb , the
American Mohammedan whom' the Mussul
mans of India and the east have sent to this
country to introduce the faith of Islam , has
arrived in New York. In speaking of his
mission yesterday he said that the first
thing to be done would bo the establishing
of a weekly paper devoted to Islam. After
that would come a Mohammedan publishing
house and a mosque would then be built.
He said that a lecture room would be pro
vided and a reading room with a free library
of Mohammedan literature. A sufficient
sum of money has been secured in Bombay
to Icoep all the proposed brandies in opera
tion for five years. Muhammed Webb istl )
years old and was born in Hudson. NY. In
18S7 he was appointed United States consul
to Manilla , where he became activelv inter
ested in Mohammedanism , and finally re
signed and went to Bombay to study and
preach the faith of Islam.
Among the 1 , - " > ; ) sacred shrines dedicated
to the Virgin Mary in France alone , that at
Lourdus is still the most prosperous. Dur
ing the Mary Ascension week in August
there were over 50,000 pilgrims at Lourdes ,
and the average yearly attendance is be
tween iJDO.OOO and HOO.OOO. It has become
fashionable in France to make a pilgrimage
to this shrine , and the worshipers are by no
means pious Catholics. The little city of
4.000 has become a good sized town , with
hotel and other accommodations of the first
class. Religious and charitable institutions
have sprung up in great number. On an av
erage the cures aiv buv few ; the ultramon
tane papers reporting only about four or five
in everyl.OiK ) invalids who come in the hope of
relief. Rigid medical examinations arc made
of all the sick who i-nteraud leave the place.
There lias been a standing offer of 15.000
francs , made b > M. Artus of Paris , for evi
dence proving that those cures were not real.
No a It 0111 pt has > been made to do this The
Peter's pence from Lourdes amounts to a
goudli sum each j ear.
Ihort
s
Are tboso ignorant pretenders who ,
without any qualifications , any ability ,
any experience , any skill , claim to
possess the power to euro all the ills of
the human race. But their want of
worth soon becomes apparent to their
would-be dupes , and these conscience-
lessquacks are soon consigned to the
oblivion they so richly merit.
In stranga and strong cnntrastwith
these miserable boasters is the quioty
dignified yet courteous demeanor o'
hose notad loaders of their profession ,
Who , during1 the past 27 years , have
abundantly demonstrated their ability
to effect speedy , perfect and permanent
cures in all the worst forms of those del
icate sexual maladies embraced within
the general terms of
HERVOUS , CHRONIC
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PRIVATE DISEASES ,
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book of 120 pages , "Know Thyself. "
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It'lenliono HUS. liitt una I iinram " > U
T l > c clevnior or nulrwar iro.u into M eulriuji.
By purchasing goods made at the folio vmg Nebraska Factories. If you
cannot find what you want , communicate with the manufacturers aa
to what dealers handle their goods.
AWNINGS. FURNITURE-
Omaha Tent-Awning , Chas. Shiverick & Co
COMPANY. I
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BREWERS.
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COMl'ANY
IRON WORKS.
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IKONVOllKS. . |
Mon-jfuoturlna nn1 rs
Wroucb- < and Ca > t Iron palrlne of ull kind * at
bulldluc wor k , lu 'Iuu . u . 14IUb "Ul
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