hich I feel you will attend
to. Fraternally yours,

"Don't forget our reunion February, 22."

"J. F. BEGGS, S. G., D. 20."

"PEORIA, ILL., Feb. 17, 1889.

"FRIEND BEGGS: Yours of yesterday to hand and contents carefully
noted. Will you kindly refer me to that section of our law where I
am empowered to inflict a penalty on an S. G. for disclosing the
proceedings of a Trial Committee? Under the constitution I called
the S. G. and J. G. together [meaning Senior Guardian and Junior
Guardian] for the purpose of forming a council. If they fail to
perform their duty I would like to know how I can remedy the evil
you complain of. While I admit that no person should be admitted in
Chicago unless his proposition should come before the council or
the D.'s in your city, on accepting the position of the D. O.
[District Officer], I felt that I should be able in my own way to
effect a reconciliation of our people in Chicago. But I must
confess to you that I am greatly disappointed. My position is this:
That if any person who is a member should violate the law, he
should be tried as provided by our constitution. What is the fact?
Members who know a wrong go around the street and go from one D. to
another and talk about such an offense. Then they report, and the
D. O. is a figure head. I will take no notice of any complaint
unless made to me, and if I have authority under our laws, you may
depend I will be on hand. I thank you for your kindness, and
discipline is our only safeguard. If you see where I can act, I am
at your command. My term of office will expire at this month, and
God knows I am glad. I am disgusted with the conduct of men who
think they should lead the Irish people. But I think it is
dangerous for decent men to associate with such scamps. Thank God,
proxies no longer prevail.

"Fraternally yours, D. O. 16."

"CHICAGO, Feb. 18, 1889.

"DEAR SIR AND BROTHER: Yours of the 17th received. I have not the
constitution before me, and therefore can not point out the section
that would cover the matter complained of; nor am I prepared to say
that the act mentioned was a violation of any written law; but that
it was very unwise, and such conduct as is prejudicial to the good
of the order, no man i