Rensselaer Republican, Volume 26, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 November 1893 — INDIANA QUAKERS. [ARTICLE]

INDIANA QUAKERS.

Th “Yearly Meeting” at Richmond —A Model Legislative Body. Chicago Inter-Ocean. The Indiana yearly meeting of the Society of Friends (orthodox) lately in session at Richmond, has held a position in the society second only to the great yearly meeting of London, England. During late years however it has not covered as wide a district as formerly. It has established a second yearly meeting at Plainfield, Ind., and the yearly meeting of lowa and Kansas are both offshoots of this original Indiana yearly meeting. It still, however, represents a large constituency, and the annual gatherings are looked to with marked interest by members of the society everywhere. The transaction of business by thi« great organization is somewhat novel] Henry Clay, who visited this meeting in 1844,said it was the most wonderful legislative body he ever saw. “The clerk of the meeting’’ and “the messengers” are the only officials. The clerk has almost autocratic power. For nearly forty years this position was by unanimous consent held by the members of one family,that of Elijah Coffin. First he for many years occupied the position, and he was succeeded by his son, Charles F. Coffin, now of Chicago. During that period the gravest questions came before the society for decision. The discussions are always free and open to every member in the audience of from 4,000 to 7,000 people. As “the spirit moves” one and another arises and concisely states his views. A leading man will m ake a poin t clearly, and likel y a score of others will arise and simply say “That is my view,” or “I agree with the brother.” There is seldom a speech of over five minutes. There is no“moving the previous question," such a thing as filibustering wasnevei known in a Quaker meeting. After due time has been given, the clerk, having taken notes as the discussion was going on, arises anc reads "a minute,"giving “the weight yof testimony” for or against the measure. An appeal from his judgment and final summing up is some thing very rare indeed. When aques tion has been thus passed upon the utterance is law, as binding upon the church as a law of Congress is bindin; |o the people of the Nation. If sonn of our great legislative bodies had t little of the Quaker methods injectec into them it would be greatly to th< advantage of the country