The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-02-11

GRAND SEcRErARY's OFFICE, CHAMPIONS
RED Cross, OLYMPIA, W. T., FEB. 2, 1875.
To THE EDITOR OF THE NEW NORTHWEST:
Since my communication which ap-
peared in the last Star of the West,
have received letters from various MEM
bers throughout the jurisdiction relative
to the state of the Order, from which
am happy to find that progress is being
surely and steadily advanced through
the teachings of our noble Order, and
our institution is rapidly making a
name for itself which bids fair to be
hOnored and respected throughout the
length and breadth of the land.
Companion D. A. Whitney, of Har-
mony Encampment, writes me as fol-
lows: "My watchwOrd ever since en-
tered the gates of our Encampment has /
been OnaOdrd and uplOdrd, and my
watehfire has never been quenched. AS
to the future prosperity of the Order, 1
think before the next session of the
Grand Encampment for this jurlsdic-
tion, that the numbers will be greatly
increased, not only in the membership,
but also in the number of Encampments
organized; and thus the old members
will be encouraged to put forth renewed
efforts and press on until the victory is
won, and our last enemies, drunkenness
and immortality, are finally destroyed"
1 also received a communication from
Companion Messimer, D. G. G. of One
onta Encampment, from which find
that business still keeps him engaged at
various ports on the Sound. 1 have no
doubt that Companion NJ. will "talk
up" Championship wherever he may
be, and will make good report on his
return, which will probably be in about
ten days.
A lady member of Harmony Encamp-
ment writes me: "Our Encampment,
though not so prosperous as we could
wish, still lives and tOorks, and the
faithful few who have stood by it
through the various vieissitudes of its
past career, have not in their vocabulary
the word fail" Such language as this,
especially when coming from a lady,
should inspire US with redoubled zeal,
and urge US forward in so glorious a
cause; for that the day will come when
our efforts shall be crowned with sue
cess, land the day may not be so far dis
tant, either), is just as sure as this is the
| Centennial year of our beloved country.
find that a question has arisen in
some of the Encampments as to their
liability for the capita tax on members
who are not in good standing; that is,
members who are not square on the
books of the Financial Secretary, or
who are liable to suspension according
to the rules of the Order. I need only
to refer to Section of the directions for
making up the report, which reads as
follows: "All members not suspended or
dropped from the roll are contributing
members" from which I draw the con-
clusion that o. e:n lers who are liable to
suspension for nOn-payment of dues
should be suspended accordingly, and
then the Encampment could not be
held responsible for those who were not
actually on the roll at the end Of the
term. i'll am wrong in my opinion on
this subject, L shall feel glad to be set
right; but if, on the other hand, am
correct in my conclusions, the Grand
Encampment has suffered financially
since its organization, through Subordi-
nate Encampments not being held re-
sponsible for the number of contributing
members on their rolls. Before leaving
this subject, | might remark that when
Encampments are compelled to suspend,
or surrender their charters, in four cases
out of five, the reason for such suspen-
sion is attributable to non-payment Of
dues, and think, from experience, that
this can always be avoided by little
care and discretion on the part Of FL
nancial Secretaries.
On examining the report of the pro-
ceedings of the Grand Encampment of
California, find that resolution was
adopted by that body recommending
the Supreme Council to take measures
for the establishment of our Order at
the Centennial celebration this year.
AS presume this refers to the coming
celebration in Philadelphia, l think the
idea good one; and, if acted on, feel
sure it would have a happy effect in
in spreading our principles to the ends
of the earth.
Feeling that have tfespassed already
too much on your valuable space, re-
main in c. c., H, P. P,
w. H. ROBERTS, Grand Secretary.
OLYMPIA W. T., February 8, 1876.
To THE EDITOR OF THE NEW NORTHWEST:
On Tuesday evening, the 1st inst,
capital entertainment took place in this
city, under the auspices of Washington
Encampment, No. 8, c.. r. c., which
is, L think, entitled to more than a
mere passing notice.
The hour designated for the entertain
ment was o'clock, but as two candi-
dates presented themselves for initiation
the same evening, it was found impos-
sible to get through the work before 8:l5
P. NJ, at which time the doors were
opened to the public, when rush took
place for seats, and in ten minutes after
it was almost impossible to obtain
standing room in the hall.
The performance commenced with
an organ solo by Companion w. H.
L.