784 



UNITED WORKMEN, ANCIENT ORDER OF. 



The act of July 12, 1882, contains the only 

 provision made for the extension of the corpo- 

 rate existence of national banks, and 1,234, 

 with a capital of $340,069,505 have availed 

 themselves of the privilege. All of the banks 

 organized under the act of 1863 have either 

 ceased to exist or have had their corporate ex- 

 istence extended, while of those organized 

 prior to 1882 under the national-bank act of 

 1864, 1,760 are still in operation under their 

 original certificates of organization, 717 of 

 which, with a capital of $96.915,550 will reach 

 the expiration of their corporate existence from 

 1888 to 1901, inclusive. 



During the year ending November 1, 1887, 

 225 national banks, with an aggregate capital 

 of $30,546,000, to which $4,690,375 in circu- 

 lating notes were issued, were organized. Of 

 these banks 5, with a capital of $400,000, were 

 located in the Eastern States; 33, with a capi- 

 tal of $7.525,000, were located in the Middle 

 States; 50, with a capital of $6,199,000, were 

 located in the Southern States ; 107, with a 

 capital of $14,012,000, were located in the 

 Western States ; 17, with a capital of $1,510,- 

 000, were located in the Pacific States; and 

 13, with a capital of $900,000, were located in 

 the Territories. Eight national banks, with 

 an aggregate capital of $1,550,000, failed and 

 were placed in the hands of receivers during 

 the year. 



On Oct. 31, 1883, national banks had on 

 deposit to secure circulation bonds exceeding 

 by 72'9 per cent, the minimum amount re- 

 quired by law. In 1884 the minimum was 

 exceeded by only 35'3 per cent., in 1885 by 42 

 per cent., in 1886 by 4'1 per cent., and on Oct. 

 31, 1887, by 0'72 percent. 



UNITED WORKMEN, ANCIENT ORDER OF, an 

 American co-operative fraternal beneficiary 

 society, founded at Meadville, Pa., by Father 

 J. J. Upchurch, a philanthropic mechanic, Oct. 

 27, 1868. The principles and objects of the 

 order are officially stated as follow : 



To embrace in its membership and give equal 

 protection to all classes and kinds of labor, mental 

 and physical ; to strive earnestly to improve the 

 moral, intellectual, and social condition of its mem- 

 bers. To endeavor, by wholesome precepts, fraternal 

 admonitions, and substantial aid, to inspire a due ap- 

 preciation of the stern realities and responsibilities of 

 life. To create and disburse a fund to the benefici- 

 aries of its deceased members, as they may while 

 living direct; thus enabling them to protect their 

 families against want. The adoption of such secret 

 work and means of recognition as will insure the pro- 

 tection of its members wherever the order may exist. 

 To listen to lectures, read essays, discuss new inven- 

 tions and improvements, encourage research in art, 

 science, and literature, and maintain libraries for the 

 use of members. 



The requirements for membership (for white 

 males only, between the ages of twenty-one 

 and fifty years) are physical health, and free- 

 dom from hereditary disposition to disease ; 

 good moral character, belief in a Supreme Being 

 the Creator of the universe, the ability to earn 

 a livelihood, and a willingness to live without 



political, religious, sectarian, or social preju- 

 dices. A medical examination of the ' ; first 

 rank," equally rigid with those of the old-line 

 life insurance companies, is made of all appli- 

 cants by a local examiner, and this is subject 

 to correction or rejection by the grand med- 

 ical examiner. 



The governing bodies of the order consist of 

 a supreme lodge, grand lodges, and subordi- 

 nate lodges. The supreme lodge has the fol- 

 lowing officers: past supreme master work- 

 man, supreme master workman, supreme fore- 

 man, supreme overseer, supreme recorder, 

 supreme receiver, supreme guide, supreme 

 watchman, supreme medical examiner, three 

 supreme trustees, and all representatives 

 elected by the various grand lodges composing 

 the organization. To this may be added mem- 

 bers of certain standing committees of the su- 

 preme lodge. Each grand lodge is entitled to 

 elect three representatives, whose votes are 

 cast in the proportion of one vote for each 

 thousand members under its jurisdiction, 

 whenever such a vote shall be demanded by 

 five members, and also in case of election. 



The powers of the supreme lodge extend 

 to the exercise of the right to pass laws per- 

 taining to the general welfare of the society. 

 It exercises appellate jurisdiction from the de- 

 cision of grand lodges, has sole power to regu- 

 late and control the unwritten or secret work 

 of the order, and to make assessments for 

 revenue to defray its expenses. Meetings of 

 the supreme lodge are held annually at such 

 times and places as may be determined at the 

 preceding regular meeting. The particular 

 time of holding the meetings has heretofore 

 depended upon the latitude of the place se- 

 lected, and has varied from March to June, as 

 the place of meeting changed from south to 

 north. 



Grand lodges have grand officers having the 

 same titles as those of the supreme lodge, to- 

 gether with duly elected representatives of the 

 subordinate lodges under its jurisdiction, and of 

 members of such standing committees as the sev- 

 eral grand lodges may determine. Each grand 

 lodge is permitted to fix the time and place of its 

 meeting. Each is also empowered to adopt for 

 its government a constitution, by-laws, rules and 

 regulations, as also a constitution, by-laws, and 

 rules for the government of subordinate lodges. 

 It is provided that these laws shall have no 

 binding force until approved by the supreme 

 lodge. Grand lodges are permitted to establish 

 subordinate lodges within their territorial 

 jurisdiction, and to reprove and punish their 

 misconduct ; to make assessments for promot- 

 ing the welfare of the order ; to prescribe the 

 duties of its officers and committees ; to hear 

 and determine all matters of controversy 

 brought before it by appeal subject to the ap- 

 pellate jurisdiction of the supreme lodge; to 

 establish a board of arbitration; to settle dis- 

 puted questions arising between it and the 

 beneficiaries of its deceased members, and be- 



