The Portland daily press., 1874-04-09
BY TELEGRAPH.
MATTERS IN MAINE
Annual Meeting of the Grand Lodge of
Good Templars.

Annual Meeting of the Grand Lodge of
Good T'emPiars.
LEWISTON. April S.-The annual session of
the Grand Lodge of Good Templars of Maine
opened in this city to-day There was large
attendance of delegates from all parts of the
State, indicating not only unusual interest in
order, which has recently been organizing many
new lodges in Maine, but also an increased in
terest in temperance work. -l
The Grand Lodge was called to order at 8
O'Clock by Grand Worthy Chief Templar F. E.
Shaw of Paris. In his annual report Col.
Shaw says that there are one hundred Col
Water Templars in the State. He desires to
inscrbe on the banners of the order "No i'm
portation of intoxicating liquors for revenue"
believing that it is better to raise money by di-
rect taxation. He would have the sale of cider
prohibited, would attach criminality to the act
of drinking, and defends the system of town
agencies under close restrictions, so long
as intoxcants are employed as medicines, and
very guardedy recommends political action.
The evening session was occupied with the
reading of the various reports including that
of Grand Secretary Morrill,, of which the fol-
lowing is synopsis:
W, f. Morrill,, Grand Secretary, reports that
the number of lodges at the beginning of the
year was less than reported at that time, which
was 26O, but the number at the October session
was 1856. During the year 40 lodges have teen
instituted and % have forfeited their charters,
so that he reports 18a as the present number
There has been gain Of five new lodges since
October The present membership is 14,775,
though the Secretary assumes that SO rapid has
been the growth of the order in March that on
April 1st, the number could not have been less
than 5000. During the year 60s1 members
have been added, 5786 of whom were new re-
cruits. The total loss for the year is 1898, of
which 2l08 were expelled and 1906 by forfeited
charters, leaving net gain of 69S.
Tho total receipts of money for the year by
the Grand Secretary " as $3,39574, of which
$2,5S3.S 80 was derived from the per capita tax.
The large number of expulsions is not for
violation of the pledge, but from the neglect of
members to pay dues which the lodges did not
see fit to pay themselves and so they were ex-
pelled The number expelled for violation of
the pledge was 203
The Grand Secretary recommends the ap-
pointment of a State organizer, but does not
approve of a single lecturer who cannot cover
the whole field. He also devotes quite space
to the work accomplished by James Woodbury.
who died last fall, leaving dependent family.
Under the auspices of the order $41S have been
raised for the family of the deceased.
In the State there are SO lodges which have
funds amounting to $16,6I7.35 The wealthiest
lodge is Seaside of Cape Elizabeth which re
ports $4,000. Alton lodge has 1854, and sever
general outlook of the order is encouraging and
the details of the report of the Secretary are SO
complete as to show that he has devoted n 'uch
time to the organization.
The report of tho Grand Worthy Treasurer
shows the assets of the Grano Lodge are ST.
73343
The attendance is the largest ever known, a
large number being initiated.
Launchcd.
BATH, April 8.-Goss & Sawyer launched
this afternoon bark of 1l05 tons named G.
w. Cochrane. She is rated "a II for ten
years, French Lloyds register, and is a superior
vessel in every respect. The owners are Goss
& Sawyer. G. L. Taylor and others of Boston
and Capt. Freeman L Given of Auburn, who
will command her.
Marine.
EAsTPoRT, April 8.-The schooner Welcome
Home, before reported dismasted, was towed
in here by the schooner S. R. Lane of Glouces-
towing her in.