Page:The Life of Lokamanya Tilak.djvu/57

Rh The first three years of the school were spent in the struggle of asserting its existence. When the school and the newspapers became accomplished facts, inspite of desertion, death, incarceration and disappointed malice the next three years were spent in organizing the institutions. By the end of this period, the constitution of the D. E. Society was formed and the bye-laws of the managing board were passed on the model of the regulations of Missionary bodies. All life-members were to receive equal pay and had equal rights. As the monthly pay fixed was not very high, it was provided that under special circumstances gratuities might be granted in addition to monthly salaries. A further provision for accidents etc., was made by assuring the life of every member for Rs. 3,000 and Mr. Tilak who did the whole of this business thought that this arrangement would leave no motive for anybody to seek work outside the body and thus divert his energies in a different channel.

When, however, the struggles and cares of establishment and organisation were over, some members began to long for more and began to talk of the growing needs of their families. The cry was catching and when the lead was taken by some of the elders newly admitted members who had but a dim perception of why and how the principle of sacrifice was adopted naturally joined in it and every excuse was pleaded to discover a loophole and break through the original understanding.

The first attempt in this direction was made in 1885. It sought to remove the inequalities of payment received by members. In the beginning (1880) some members had taken no payment while others were allowed