The Secret Circular

The Planet expresses their right to report on any story they want and to inform the community as they see fit.

That Rev. Browne’s secret circular, which was published in our issue of last week created a sensation expresses it mildly. Even the most conservative elements were forward in condemning it, and declaring that it was the most signal blunder as yet made. We have all along reminded our friends and the public that this species of warfare has been going on for months. We were aware of every movement, and have been successful in fouling every attempt to do us any material injury.
We are free to say that this last effort is the most cowardly and dastardly outrage as yet attempted, and merits the unqualified condemnation of all right-thinking people everywhere. It demonstrates beyond the shadow of a doubt that Rev. Browne is directing the organization towards the shoals of certain destruction. No agitation which we could bring about, no crusade which we might inaugurate could begin to make as certain the downfall of the True Reformers as have the blunders which we have from time to time chronicled. We make it a rule never to fight colored men or antagonize race institutions. And even now we are on the defensive rather than the aggressive. What we are doing was forced upon us.
We would be untrue to ourselves and false to the people we represent were we to fail to warn them of impending danger and point out to them the only thing that will save them and the organization from destruction.
No Fountain [Lodge] in the United States is allowed to keep as much as a ten cent piece in its treasury. Every cent of its money must be forwarded to this city. Once here it cannot be gotten out save by the “red tape” process.
That one man should carefully plan to have twenty-five thousand dollars more than the entire amount in the Bank, (the Order’s treasury) voted to him is beyond the bounds of reason. And yet this was done. It was so arranged that while the assertions have and are still being made to the contrary, by their own admissions it is proven that the monthly dues, the sick fund, the profits on stock-sales will all go to pay Rev. Browne the fifty thousand dollars.
Indeed, the entire brotherhood is made to furnish money for his personal benefit. This is done in the face of the fact that the thing sold belonged to the Order and the misleading figures presented, deceived numbers who were unaccustomed to handling finance.
It is plainly evident that Rev. Browne does not propose to relinquish his hold on the fifty thousand dollars. It is plainer still that the rank and file of the True Reformer to not propose to pay it. There is a way out.
It is by appeal to the courts. By this method alone can the Order be saved from destruction and peace reign once more within its walls.
Rev. Brown has skillfully drawn the Order into a losing fight, gotten he contents of its treasury and calmly watches its steady movement to destruction.
His lieutenants see the danger, but it is as much as their official life and salaries are concerned for them to enter even a feeble protest. Every employee within the bounds of the organization can be removed at short notice by President Browne. The end is not yet.

“The Secret Circular,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed September 14, 2026, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/1472.