Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-10-22
THE GOOD TEMPLARS.
Second Days Session of the Gran
Lodge Of Tennessee.

Lodge Of Tennessee.
The Grand Lodge met yesterday at 0
A. NJ.
Considerable discussion was had on a
memorial, asking that the pledge be
amended so as TO have it read more eX-
plicitly, "fOr life." While many delegates
argued that its language implied perpet
ual obligation to abstain from all intOXi-
eating Liquors, others cOntended that its
terms should be more expressive of that
obligation, and not allow any to doubt or
equiyocate, as some do, on this important
point. The discussion was calm, lucid,
courteous, and entirely creditable to the
members who participated therein.
The memorial was finally rejected.
The Committee on Distribution report
ed, recommending that the various paris of
ferred to the appropriate committees,
on literature, recommended the adoption of
Chase's digest, deciding that the one in
tended more especially for Tennessee, pro-
posed BY Sloan, was unnecessary. A mo-
ton to adopt this report ELECTED a warm
discussion, which was participated in by
Messrs. Tyler, Sloan and Kelly, the last
named cOntending that the former digest
was too general and indeed conflicting in
the character of its decisions, and OCCASION
ed misunderstanding and strifes in the
lodges. The same view was taken and
clearly argued by the Grand Worthy Chief
Templar.
Ii was also maintained that the digest
proposed by Sloan was well arranged and
gave the only decisions binding upon the
lodges Of Tennessee. Mr.. Catlin argued
that Chase's digest, however defective, was
obligatory, and could not be superseded by
any other we could make. At the same
time, the decisions of the Tennessee author
tiles were too sound to justify appeals, and
hence the decisions had not appeared in the
higher digest.
Messrs. Sloan and Kelly argued that they
needed the Tennessee digest. The Cum
mittee's report was rejected and a motion
in favor of printing SlOan's digest adopted
The Committee on Degrees recommend
ed that the degree qualification for higher
Offices, abolished two years since, be re
stored.
Grand Worthy Lecturer Benton opposed
the recommendation, believing that many
unprepared TO take degrees were making
the best officers. q. w. c. T. Inman ex-
planned the propriety of defeTing action
as the question would soon be decided by
the Right Worthy Grand Lodge Of the
World.
The chairman of the committee, b. c.
McClesky, argued for the report, as it would
advance members in the Order.
Mr.. Branden concurred with the G.. W
G. L. in advising delay.
T. al .,,v,n1a1 f1,a oraffnr Of fhe
the qualification.
Lodge Deputy Carlin argued zealOusly on
the other side.
Mr.. Kelly again argued that degrees could
increase neither the obligations nor fidelity
of members.
On recommendation of the committee, the
report was finally laid on the table for one
year.
The Committee on Appeals recon-
mended that appeal sixteenth, from the de
cisiOn of the G.. w. &. T., be not sustained
and that the decision be confirmed. After
the decision, and the reason therefor, were
read, the Lodge voted unanimously TO sus.
tain the G.. W. G. Templar's ninth decis-
ion, which recognized Edgefeld IS a part
of Nashville.
The Committee on the State Of the Order
recommended the organization of juvenile
lodges under the superintendent Of a
special State officer to be appointed for thai
purpose. This ELECTED a spirited discus
| sion, the speakers manifesting a deep in.
terest in saving children from temptation
The report was adopted. Ii also provides
/ for the appointment of committee Of three
on the lecture system. DIR. j. IL. Morgan
w. NJ. Harrell and VIM. Dunstead, were
appointed.
The Financial Committee made a re-
port commencing justly the qualification:
| and fidelity of Y. j. Gibson, q. w. Secre
/ tary, and recommending important i'm
prOyements in the financial system
Mr.. Sloan offered a resolution, that NJ
lodge hencefOrth shall be named after any
person. This called forth a long debate
and finally a motion to lay on the tabl'
was made, which was lost. Then, on mo
ton TO adopt, MeSsrs. Benton, Dunstead
Brandon, Kelly, Tyler, Barket, Sloan ant
CarIin made remarks. MeSsrs. Brandon
Tyler, Carlin and others argued that tn
resolution invaded the rights Of lodges Il
| select their own name; while others con
tended that the resolution only amounted
to a request, and that sometimes person
after whom lodges had been named hai
brought disgrace upon themselves and TIN
lodges.
The motion TO adopt was tabled.
The Committee on Lectures were IN
structed to appoint a superintendent an,
lecturer 10 fOrm cOlOred lodges.
A committee of five were appointed Il
; consider the objects Of the Good Templar
Mutual Benefit Association, and report a
the night session.
A report from the COMMITTEES on Finance
recommending that the charter fees be in
creased, was adopted.
The Lodge then adjourned till p. NJ.
Afternoon Session.
J.B. Woodside, q. B. Stanley, ID. l
Mitchell and K. Z. Hayden presented CT
dentials and took their seats as member;
The Committee on Lectures recOmmen
that a State lecturer be employed at a sa
ary of 81, 800 per annum, that the G. "
C.. T. be elected to that Office, and that \
II. b. Burkett be elected State Superb
tendent of the United Order Of True r.
formers.
A motion to put the whole subject int
the hands of the Executive COmmitt(
was discussed BY various members.
Mr.. Branen desired to place the work III
der the care of the committee, believing
would be more efficiently OOne, as Tn
J committee could employ different lecture
: when occasion required.
: Mr.. Burkett argued that East Tenness'
: needed lecturer, who should spend all
i. time there. If the State Lodge could n
I supply them, they would DO the work then
selves.
After further debate, motion to lay
2 the table prevailed.
d The Lodge then went into the electi'
0 Of a G. w. c. Templar for the ensuing es
+ On the second ballot, Rev. ID. j. G. INN
! was reelected to that office.
] The lodge next proceeded to the electi'