The Portland daily press., 1872-12-07
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| in the attic of which they expect to get lodge
room that will better accommodate the Order
| than their present one does. The hall they now
occupy is an elegant one, fitted up at great ex-
| pense, is comfortable and convenient and is
| large enough for all ordinary meetings. On
| special occasions, such as the evenings when
officers are elected, public installations and fes-
tive occasions, it would be desirable to have a
larger room. The writer was present at reg
ular meeting of one of the largest lodges not
long since. There were seats and room enough
for all. The air was by no means offensive or
even unpleasant; and l heard no complaint
from any one on this score, or that there was a
| lack of room. And this was fair sample of
regular meetings.
grant that larger room is desirable, and
| perhaps another room to accommodate the En-
campments But in order to gain these few
square yards of space in the attic of building
| is it absolutely necessary to embark the Order
| in the extremely hazardous scheme of erecting
| building that involves the expenditure of
| 100000 The bare proposition seems prepos-
ferrous and ought to startle every member who
has given the subject the least favorable con-
sideration. And yet this is the grand bauble
which the Order in this city is called upon TO
contemplation paper. If the scheme is en-
tered upoI it will prove, apprehend, some
thing more than bauble. The committee to
whom was referred the matter commence their
report as follows:
Whereas, the time has arrived when in the judy
ment of many members of the l. o. o. F. it is proper
that measures should be adopted for the erection of
building to be owned by the l. o. o. F. which shall be
sufficiently large to accommodate the Order and also
be of such character to afford fair income from
the investment while, at the time, it shall be
an ornament to our city and an honor to Order "
That the Order would be accommodated in
such building grant. The next question is,
will it pay? think not Let the Formidable
committee which has originated this great
scheme put their stock or bonds on the market
at 10 per cent. interest and see how much they
can sell to prudent investors. There isn't the
remotest possibility that it will ever pay two
per cent. net to the Order, indeed, it would be
marvellous if it should pay the half of it.
But another object is to ornament the city
Well, have supposed that we had different
duties to perform than to erect buildings to
der teach us ''to visit the sick; relieve the dis
tressed; educate the orphan and bury the dead.
After nearly thirty years struggle we have rails
ed a respectable fund for these purposes. 1t is
well invested in good securities, and all the
while we have been contented to hire an upper
story on easy rent. Has not this line of policy
been good and safe one? If so, is it wise to
abandon it and vote to pile it up in bricks and
mortar in order that the city may be beautified
thereby These funds were raised for no such
purpose.
Another object, says the preamble, is to bring
honor to our order" Is it possible that we
must purchase a little empty renown at such a
stupendous price? What trifing considera-
ton for an outlay of 100000! That Odd Eel
low must indeed feel proud of himself when he
holds up his hand to vote away his Lodges
funds, which he has been accustomed to look
upon az sacredly dedicated to the high and be-
nefcent purposes of Odd Fellowship, for so
miserable mess of pottage.
But the resolutions which follow this pream-
BILE show what else is involved in this grand
building scheme, 1t involves going to the Leg
islature for power and authority to be given to
board of Trustees to incorporate themselves
under the laws of the State to run the Order in
debt 100000 at such rate of interest as said
Trustees may deem advisable. This modest lit
tie sum will have to be paid at some time, while
the interest will have to be met every six months
Here is a financial ''chasm" for the Order to
contemplate, which will be broad enough and
deep enough to engulph the whole concern-in
irretrievable ruin l greatly fear.
l therefore counsel all members of Maine
Lodge to attend the meeting on Monday eve
ming and vote against this dangerous project.
LII you have doubt, give it to the side of safe
ty and peace. ODD FELLOW.
DUsr TO DUsT.-Yesterday afternoon the
rites pertaining to sepulture were &C Celebrated ov
er the remains of the late Lieut.. Todd The
escort, consisting of the Light Infantry. the Ar
my and Navy Union, the Seventeenth Regi-
ment Association, the Portland Cadets, and
Mechanic Blues headed by the Portland Band
formed in front of the Odd City Hall and march
ed to the First Baptist church, where the fu-
neral services were held. The Infantry carried
muskets, and their company flag, draped in
black, was borne by the Color Guard clad in
bear-skin caps and uniform of the old company
The other organizations were unarmed Ar
rived at the church the escort filed in; and the
casket, upon which were placed the cap and
sword of the deceased, was brought within the
church by two men detailed from each of the
organizations. The services were conducted by
the Rev. Dr.TShailer in highly solemn and ap-
propriate manner. The text was from Ecclesi
astes 'sThere is no discharge in that war" and
the discourse preached therefrom was an able
and consolng one.
at the conclusion of the services at the
church, the procession formed and wa, escorted
by the various organizations to Deering's
Bridge. From that point only the Portland
Light Infantry accompanied it to discharge
the last military rites over their comrade in
the Evergreen Cemetery.
Police.
Portland Band.
Portland Light Infantry-2S men, Lieut.. Fessenden.
The Hearse.
Pail Bearers. Pail Bearers.
Col. Parker, the Governors staff
Maj. Green, 18th Maine. Capt. c. j. Pennell.
Sergeant Dow, P. I. /. Col. E. Moore, 18th Maine.
Sergeant Dow, P. IL. Sergeant Dow, P. Ii.
Sergt. BurnhaIn P. NJ B .Corpl sturtivant, P. NJ B.
Lieut.. Colcord, P. G. Lieut.: Eaton, PC.
Capt. j. A. Perry, P. A. N. u.
G.. H. Gill, P. A. s. N. U.
Capt. George Brown, P. A. & N. U.
Capt. Mattocks, Commanding Battalion,
Portland Mechanic Blues, 80 men, Lieut.. Young.
Portland Cadets, IS men, Capt. Anderson.
18th Maine Association, Col. Roberts, 81 men.
Army q Navy Union rs men, President Gordon.
Portland Light Infantry and Color Guard, % men.
NEW Cry DIRuCroRY-The eleventh bien-