Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-10-30

lieved that the change would have the ef-
feet of securing better attendance both at
the session of the R. " GRAND Lodge and
of THE body. = ~ y
would ais0srecemnfead that your atten-
tiOn be directed towards requiring from
the several District Deputies more strict
observance of their duties. "A reference to
the minntes of the past sessiDn7of this body
discloSes the fact that every annual report
of the several chief oficersshas contained
complaints of fhelnegh ghgenee and failure OF
large number of their Deputies to make
reports of their official transactions, and
the condition of the Eneampments placed
under their iohafge. Without efficient
cooperation and frequent communication,
with the Grand Patriarch, it is impossible
for the latter to be able to furnish this
grand body with any satisfactory informa>
tion as to the general condition of the Order
in the jurisdiction. As incidental to this
matter, | would respectfully renew areconl-
mendation made by some one of my pre-
decessors in this chair, that the Grand Palrl-
arch be authorized, in cases where he
deems il for the interest of the Order, to
appoint a competent Patriarch TO open
and organize Encampments, or 10 visit and
instruct those already at work, and that
the expenses of such special Deputy be
borne by this body. This recommends
ton ia not made with view of narrow
ing in any respect the allotted duties of the
regular Deputies appointed, but to meet con-
tingencies in which theinterests of the Order
might be better served by the appointment Of
a special officer. Whether this step would be
1aH hxr tho GuapCie1 condition Of fhfo
body, | refer to your judgment. The occa-
sional exercise ofthe powerof appointment,
governed by sound and economical dis
cretion, would be, | am satisfied, of
much benefit in stimulating the energies
of lukewarm Encampments, banishing
feelings of apathy and inattention, and Sc
curing uniformity of work throughout the |
jurisdiction. With the increasing facili- |
ties of travel throughout the State, the ex-
pense of such special officer would be |
much lighter than it would have been in |
past years. If, however, on investigation,
it may be found that the funds of this |
Grand Encampment do not authorize such |
expense, it is submitted whether il should |
not be borne by the subordinate Encampa |
ments out of their general funds. With |
proper attention to the instructions of such
Special Deputy, on the work, there would
not most probably be necessity for more
than one annual visit if even so many, in
ary one year, and by proper arrangement
upon general tour of inspection, the rela-
tive cost to each Encampment would be
but small. The cost of such plan of su-
pervision might be further lightened and
divided.
There is a number of other matters of
interest of which pertinent mention might
be made in this report but which would
occupy much space to present properly.
Grateful for the honor which this grand
body has conferred upon me, and the kind
paternal indulgence the members have
shown me, | trust that your deliberations
may result in the great benefit of our be-
loved order. THOMAS BoYERs,
Grand Patriarch