FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.
LIE vast number of persons in the United Kingdom who sub- scribe to benefit societies of every description, and the incredible amount of money which is thus raised to provide by honourable and voluntary efforts for the support of the members, and of their- families in sickness, and for those extraordinary expenses inciden- tal to death, render it one of the most imperative duties of the Legislature to watch over, and foster these important social insti- tutions. From the very uninviting Reports which Mr. J. Tidd Pratt prepares annually for the especial study of Sir George Conic- wall Lewis—for we fear that but few Members of Parliament, and still fewer of the public peruse them—we glean in the Report just published some curious and interesting facts. One of the most novel features in the recent organization of these friendly societies is the connexion of them with a rifle corps, and a burial society, several of which are now established success- fully in Hanover and in various parts of the Continent. In addi- tion to the ordinary attraction of a rifle corps, each member is as- sured the payment of a stipulated sum of money to his friends in the event of his death, occurring while a member of the corps. -We cannot doubt that in many cases this combination might be successfully introduced into our own small towns and villages ; and it is reasonable to believe that the assurance at death, would constitute an additional incentive to keeping up a connexion with the corps. It is not sufficient perhaps that the law should declare that serving as a Volunteer, and in the Reserve Force of Seamen, shall not cause the forfeiture of any interest a member may possess in a friendly society ; it seems the bounden duty of our military authorities to encourage, or at least facilitate the object in view by permitting, if necessary, by legislative enactment, the union of the two societies. We are glad to find that some of the best regulated societies in London and elsewhere are making vigorous exertions to sever themselves from the public-house ; and are now justly priding themselves in the transition from a tavern, with its usual dan- gerous accessories, to highly respectable offices. When once the independent managers of friendly societies, can by an important change in social habits, and mode of management in the society's business, thereby elevate the institution, a vast improvement will be achieved. The conflicts recorded of the Royal Standard Benefit Society, which has "out" the public-house, and purchased free- hold premises in Great Ormond Street, possessing every desirable convenience, and available at all times to its members, is a great striae in the march of progress. The ballot by which this change was effected, was not without its defects. The committee, in guileless simplicity, had merely guarded the ballot-box from being carried off by a coup de main of their opponents, but had totally neglected the approaches thereto, and practically ignored the Possibility of tampering with the voters. They perceived and corrected.their error, and in-the sequel triumphed. The change from the public-house to the private dwelling was effected, and the society flourishes with 4332 members on their books, having an invested capital of about 46,0001., having paid since 1829 above 108,0001, in relief to their members. We recommend the prudent conduct of the managers of the Royal Standard So- ciety as an example to be imitated in all parts of the kingdom.
It seems now indisputable that, whatever default may oeoa- sionally occur b' reason of the insolvency or misapplication of funds of any friendly society, these institutions can flourish if they are established and conducted on just and prudent principles. We have an example in "the friendly society" held. at Anderton's Hotel, Fleet Street, which attained its 100th anniversary on the 10th of April last. The number of members since 1803 has never exceeded 68. They have paid, since 1812, more than 90001. in relief ; and, after an existence of a century, and having always strictly fulfilled every engagement, they possess at this moment a capital of upwards of 2350/. It is superfluous to urge an imita- tion of these examples. Even the cabmen of London are sensible of the advantages of union ; the London Cabmen's Friendly Society, just inaugurated, promises to be a. prosperous institution. We must direct especial attention to another society, if only to refer to a yet unexplained, but remarkable difference which exists in the health and longevity of one portion of the popula- tion as compared with another.
The Metropolitan Typographical Widow, Orphan, or Nominee Fund was founded in 1850, for the relief of the widows and or- phans of deceased persons connected with the printing business. It now numbers 750 members. The promoters, it appears, had very little information to guide them in judging how many deaths per cent might be anticipated, and of course, upon that fact depended the necessary arrangements as regards contribu- tions. At the end of the first five years, the actual experience of the society showed a rate of mortality of no less than seventy-six, when the expected number of deaths computed by an actuary was but forty-seven. In the second quinquennial period, the same result was observed. The committee state that since the commencement of the Society, 185 deaths have occurred amongst their members ; and that of these, no less than ninety-five or more than one-half have not exceeded fifty years of age ; forty- six, or exactly one-fourth, have not exceeded forty years of age, and that the average at death of the total number was only thirty-two and a half years ! We believe that the number of deaths occurring in ten years in an institution, with the number of members similar to this society is almost unparalleled, if not without precedent. This seems a fearful penalty to pay for the benefit of the London press. Either we must suppose that there are some fatal causes connected with the profession, which medical science has not yet pointed out; or if the profession is not so un- healthy as the statistics of the fund would indicate, otherwise that all the unhealthy have become members of the society. The experience of this institution is certainly most remarkable; but as the benefits are only obtainable on the death of the member, it is satisfactory to learn that the heavy demands made upon the funds have all been met, and the managers are warned by melon-, choly experience in what way to guard against future oontingena cies. The prudent course followed by the committee of the Typo- graphical Society will not be lost upon the promoters of similar associations ; as it is obvious, that if relief in sickness had also to be provided, the most disastrous results must have followed to all concerned in the fund.
From the evidence before us, it seems abundantly proved that the organization offered by friendly societies, was made use of to a great extent during the Strikes of last year to obtain money, even in cases where the funds of the society were not openly misappro- priated to the purposes of the strike. It is of course difficult to obtain evidence of these transactions, as although the members apparently have the option of paying or refusing these additional contributions, yet the unseen power exerted over them is generally sufficient to compel them to subscribe, and to retain the know- ledge of the facts within their own circle. The interests of society, and a due regard for the liberty of action of the men themselves who object to such payments, require that the law should be strong enough to prevent these misappropriations, by which the original design of a benevolent institution is mischie- vously perverted.
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