Ku Klux Klan: Its Origin, Growth and Disbandment Part 14

APPENDIX III.

CONSt.i.tUTION OF A LOCAL ORDER MODELED UPON KU KLUX KLAN

Used in South Carolina and in North Carolina

From The Ku Klux Report, North Carolina Testimony

CONSt.i.tUTION

ARTICLE I.

This organization shall be known as the ---- Order, No. --, of the Ku Klux Klan of the State of South Carolina.

ARTICLE II.

The officers shall consist of a cyclops and a scribe, both of whom shall be elected by a majority vote of the order, and to hold their office during good behavior.

ARTICLE III.

SECTION 1. It shall be the duty of the C. to preside in the order, enforce a due observance of the const.i.tution and by-laws, and an exact compliance to the rules and usages of the order; to see that all the members perform their respective duties; to appoint all committees before the order; inspect the arms and dress of each member on special occasions; to call meetings when necessary; draw upon members for all sums needed to carry on the order.

SEC. 2. The S. shall keep a record of the proceedings of the order; write communications; notify other Klans when their a.s.sistance is needed; give notice when any member has to suffer the penalty for violating his oath; see that all books, papers or other property belonging to his office, are placed beyond the reach of any one not a member of the order. He shall perform such other duties as may be required of him by the C.

ARTICLE IV.

SECTION 1. No person shall be initiated into this order under eighteen years of age.

SEC. 2. No person of color shall be admitted into this order.

SEC. 3. No person shall be admitted into this order who does not sustain a good moral character, and who is in any way incapacitated to perform the duties of a Ku Klux.

SEC. 4. The name of a person proposed for members.h.i.+p must be proposed by the committee appointed by the chief, verbally, stating age, residence, and occupation; state if he was a soldier in the late war, his rank, whether in the Federal or Confederate service, and his command.

ARTICLE V.

SECTION 1. Any member who shall offend against these articles, or the by-laws shall be subject to be fined and reprimanded by the C., as two-thirds of the members present at any regular meeting may determine.

SEC. 2. Every member shall be ent.i.tled to a fair trial for any offense involving reprimand or criminal punishment.

BY-LAWS

ARTICLE I.

SECTION 1. This order shall meet at ----.

SEC. 2. Five members shall const.i.tute a quorum, provided the C. or S.

be present.

SEC. 3. The C. shall have power to appoint such members of the order to attend the sick, the needy, and those distressed, and those suffering from radical misrule, as the case may require.

SEC. 4. No person shall be appointed on a committee unless the person is present at the time of appointment. Members of committees neglecting to report shall be fined 30 cents.

ARTICLE II.

SECTION 1. Every member, on being admitted, shall sign the const.i.tution and by-laws and pay the initiation fee.

SEC. 2. A brother of the Klan wis.h.i.+ng to become a member of this order, who shall present his application with the proper papers of transfer from the order of which he was a member formerly, shall be admitted to the order only by a unanimous vote of the members present.

ARTICLE III.

SECTION 1. The initiation fee shall be ----.

ARTICLE IV.

SECTION 1. Every member who shall refuse or neglect to pay his fine or dues shall be dealt with as the chief thinks proper.

SEC. 2. Sickness or absence from the country or being engaged in any important business shall be a valid excuse for any neglect of duty.

ARTICLE V.

SECTION 1. Each member shall provide himself with a pistol, Ku Klux gown and signal instruments.

SEC. 2. When charges have been preferred against a member in proper manner, or any matters of grievance between brother Ku Klux are brought before the order, they shall be referred to a committee of three or more members, who shall examine the parties and determine the matters in question, reporting their decision to the order. If the parties interested desire, two-thirds of the members present voting in favor of the report, it shall be carried.

ARTICLE VI.

SECTION 1. It is the duty of every member who has evidence that another has violated Article II. to prefer the charges and specify the offense to the order.

SEC. 2. The charge for violating Article II. shall be referred to a committee of five or more members, who shall as soon as practicable, summon the parties and investigate the matter.

SEC. 3. If the committee agree that the charges are sustained, that the member on trial has intentionally violated his oath, or Article II., they shall report the fact to the order.

SEC. 4. If the committee agree that the charges are not sustained, that the member is not guilty of violating his oath or Article II., they shall report to that effect to the order and the charges shall be dismissed.

SEC. 5. When the committee report that the charges are sustained, and the unanimous vote of the members is given thereof, the offending person shall be sentenced to death by the chief.