A.O.U.W. - Facts And Figures, 1895

Origin

This text comes from the program for the January 28, 1895 reunion meeting of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, fourth & sixth districts of New York City, held at the Lexington Opera House, on 58th street between third and Lexington.

Text

A.O.U.W.

The Cheapest and Strongest Fraternal Benefit Organization

LIFE INSURANCE AT NAKED COST

Facts and Figures Which Every Workman should Spread Broadcast.

Every man with a relative dependent upon him for support should make provision for that relative, by secure life insurance, in case death should intervene and leave his dependent without a natural protector. Experience has demonstrated that fraternal life insurance is the cheapest and best, inasmuch as the lodge system has bought into being a system of fraternal brotherhood which not only cares for the member and his dependents in life, but keeps a watchful eye on the welfare of those left behind, and by timely counsel enhances the value of the mortuary benefit to the recipients.

The Ancient Order of United Workmen is the parent of all fraternal beneficiary organizations, and offers greater advantages than any of its imitators or rivals, combining the insurance and fraternal features at a cost which places its protection within the reach of every wage earner.

The Order was founded by John Jordan Upchurch and the first lodge met in the city of Meadville, PA., on October 17, 1868. With the growth of the Order many changes have been made in its laws, chief among which were the establishment of separate beneficiary jurisdiction and the appointment of Grand Medical Examiners, thus affording each separate jurisdiction an opportunity to derive the full benefit of the work done by its members in increasing its membership.

A distinctive feature of the Ancient Order of United Workmen is its relief law, which prevents an individual jurisdiction from becoming burdened with excessive assessments which might arise from an epidemic or other calamity. Once in three years the Supreme Lodge fixes the maximum rate of assessment for each Grand Jurisdiction. The rate is ascertained by taking the average death rate of each Jurisdiction for the preceding five years, plus seven assessments. The maximum rate for New York State until January 1, 1894, is twenty-six assessments per year.

Where the number of deaths in any Jurisdiction require the levying of a greater number of assessments than the maximum fixed, the surplus required is raised by the Supreme Lodge Relief Board by a pro rata assessment upon each member throughout the Supreme Jurisdiction. But in no case can the Relief Board call for an amount exceeding three dollars per member in any one year.

Thus, in explaining the objects of the Order to your friends, you will be perfectly safe in asserting that the Ancient Order of United Workmen id the only fraternal beneficiary organixation which can guarantee the rate of assessments will not exceed a stipulated amount in any one year.

The objects of the Order may be briefly summarized as follows:

1. To unite fraternally all acceptable men, for common good and protection.
2. To stimulate mental and moral culture.
3. To encourage useful industry.
4. To render mutual aid and assistance to each other in adversity,
5. To protect each member's family from want when he shall be called hence by death.

ITS REQUIREMENTS

1. Each member must be a white male person over 21 and under 45 years of age, of good moral character, and a believer in the Supreme Being, the Creater [sic] of the Universe.
2. Each member must be industrious and able to earn a livelihood for himself and those dependent on him.
3. Each member must leave at the outer door of his lodge all religious,political, sectarian, or social prejudices, and work for the common good of all.

ITS BENEFITS

1. Mental and moral improvements.
2. True friends when needed.
3. Care and assistance in sickness and distress.
4. An absolute and secure mortuary benefit at its actual cost.