The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-02-16


The Grand Chancellor announced the fol"
lowing Committee on Credentials: 7. 6. G..
Spruell, P. C.'s May, Gary, shroff, and Brad
ley.
After retiring and examining the credeu-
tials of representatives and past chancellors
| the committee reported the following repre-
sentativeS:
No. 2, Charles Clinely No. 8, X. Kemper:
No. 4, T. A. Jacobs No. 5, "a. C. Tabb; /;
No. 6, R. c. Lee; No. 7, u. II. Alley No.
8. J. g. Spruel; No. 10, c. j. Smith; No.
II, T. P. Larus; No. IL, W. T. Szsr; No.
Ii, j. C. Culin No. IA, A. Thomas; No.
Is, J. a. Beier; No. 16, r. Fl. Mclean No.
II, W. C. CarriRston No. Is, III. N. Brad.
ley No. 20, A. c. Attkisson No. 81, J. E.
Caldwell; No. 22,.A. NJ. Wallingsford; No.
%, r. T. Briggs; No. "a, G. z. Bromley !;
No. %, NJ. j. Powers No %, B. P. Eggles-
ton; No. 20. T. F. Asbe; No. 80, E. G..
Fans; No. 81. W. A. Slater; No. 80, p. F.
Shroff; No. 35, j. A. Melton No. 36, j. W.
Collier; No. 3S, 81. III. Daniel; No. 40, T.
Wells; No. Al, B. J. Henritze; No. 42, S. R.
Donohoe; No. As. j. W. Morton; No. 46, j.
W. Carey No. At, W. K. Andrews; No.
4s, Charles Gibbs No. 49, j. D. Blackwell.
The reports of the grand officers were pre-
sented.
GRAND CHANCELLOR , hEfuhI.
The Grand Chancellor says in bis report !:
Though OUT lodges and membership have
not increased in numbers during my admin
istration, the condition of the order Is highly
satisfactory. This will be readily perceived
from the report of the Grand Keeper Of Re-
| cords and Seal, which shows that while our
| numerical strength is not improved the
| financial condition of the lodges has never
been so favorable; and our qualification at
| this pleasing exhibit becomes intensified and
increased by the knowledge that this i'm
| proyement has taken place during year In
| which have occurred events Of widespread
| pecuniary distress consequent upon the uni>
yersal stagnation in the business interests OF
the country.
Since our last session three new lodges
| have been instituted: Osceola, No. 47, at
Big Lick; Lee, No. 4s, at Berkeley; and
Danyille, No. 40; the last named being really
Danyille. No. 10, re0cganized under exceed.
ingly favorable auspices. During the same
neriod that witnessed these additions to our
roster we have been compelled 10 record
the same number Of suspended lodges. The
SUSPENDED lodges were No. 43, at Gordons-
Vile; DanvtlIe Lodge, No. 10; and Bristol,
No. 81.
The Grand Chancellor recommends the re.
6istrjcting of the State so as TO require but
six D. D, 6. C.'s. By this reduction great
financial saving will be effected, and the
lodges can be satisfactorily and conveniently
| superintended By means Of subordinate
| DEPUTY in each lodge-this deputy to be
| P. c. and member OF the lodge under his
control. He shall perform. the installation
and other grand duties pertaining to his
lodge. and exercise general supervision OF
| if. He is to be responsible to the D. D. &.
G. in whose district he may be, and shall re-
mort to said D. D. G. L. the nature of his
official actions.
In concluding bis report he says: Let us
continue in the noble work that is laid down
for us to perform, and then with our splen-
aid record filed with bright deeds and re-
snlendent with generous achievements we
shall indeed be worthy upholders OF our
| beautiful Pythian structure, which stands
TODAY one of the grandcst temples ever
erected by human bands and human hearts
to our great genius Friendship.
KEEPER OF RECORDS AND SEAL.
I. s. Edwards, Grand Keeper of Records
and Seal, gave in his report much valuable
information in regard 10 the order. As a
matter of general Interest he called attention
to the successful operations of the Richmond
| District Benefit Board during the pasr year.
I" This Association" said he, "is composed
of Lodges Nos. 2, II, II, %, and %, and
| since its organic alton in October, 1874. to
November l6, 1876, paid S2,174.50 for the
relief OF the families Of deceased brothers.
! The mortality among the members of these
lodges during 1876 was unusually large
perhaps unprecedented In the history of like
associations. With q total mem mbership of al6
on December 81, 1875, these lodges had lost
| by death eight members during the year,
| while the losses by death throughout the
grand Jurisdiction with membership Of
2,421 OF lodges reported to February 10,
1876. and Z, p. XII.,) for the same period
was eighteen. The Benefit Board is managed
with great economy. The Secretary, z. G
C.. j. B. Vaughan, after commenting on the
excessive mortality In his annua! report, says:
We have a perfect right to suppose that
such lmortality] will not be the case again,
| for in about $50 similar associations now in
| existence in the Uuited States none have
reported so large loss per membership, and
none have been conducted on cheaper
scale'"
Mr.. Edwards thinks, "fIom tie rerorts
! of subordinate lodges of the vote in regard
| 10 the eligibility of Knights to any office,
! without regard to previous service, it is evil
dent that a majority of the representatives
will report against the plan"
The outlook at the close of our eighth year
as a grand body, and Of the X[lth Pythian
Period, he regards as every way encouraging.
| off the twelfth year is memorable for no
special development Of the numerical strength
,of the order, it becomes historical ia Virginia
by proving its vitality as exemplitied in the
devotion Of its members. The order is now
firmly established. Our legislation should
be conservative, and with reference to a
remote future. If the past brilliant career
OF the order has attracted the admiration
and wonder of the public, let 1t retain that
admiration by force of its usefulness, and be
| venerated even in its youth by the practice
anong its members OF those virtues which
are named on their Shields"
STATE OF ExcHEQUEe.
H.,C. G. Hartman, Grand Master of Elk.
cheauer, reported balance on hand at last
session, $S96.16; received during session,
Sl76.3O> received from Grand Keeper OF
Records and Seal to date, 81 9.20-total,
80 ,5a0!6e. Disbursements, 81 ,635.o5. Leav-
ing a balance in hands OF Grand Master OF
Exeheauer of $905.61.
COMMITTEES.
The Grand Chancellor announced the fol-
low committees:
Charters and Dspensations: r. T. Briggs,
j. w. Morton Robert c. Lee, j. A. Melted.
II. NJ. Wsllingaord.
Laws and Supervision c. T. Loehr. c. J.
Smith, c. P. BroWnly, B. j. Henriizs, 4. d.
Mel pan.