, 1877-02-18
SECRET SOCIETIES.
ODD FELLOWSHIP.
GENERAL RELIEF IN CHICAGO,

ODD FELLOWSHIP.
GENERAL RELIEF IN CHICAGO,
t 10 the Editor AZ The Tribune.
CHICAGO, Feb 17.-In The large cities like
this, among the floating population, there are
necessarily many belonging to some Of the se-
crct societies established In this country, and
there arc among these many who, owing to var
ious causes, are compelled to Geek assistance
either for their immediate wants or with view
to aid them in returning to their home. Moth
Ing can be more natural than that, being mcn-
bers Of such societies, they should seek out some
lodge and make their case known, the result be-
ing that instead OF the fair proportion being
borne by all, some few bodies centrally located
hare been made the general almoncrs. With a
view to obyiate this, distribute the burden. aud
also provide safe and ready means for
the assistance OF those who might be
worthy recipients, d movement was set on foot
at the session Of the Grand Lodge in peor1a IN
1875 looking toward the formation in this city
Of q Board OF Foreign Relief, which would
have the general support Of all the lodges in
Chicago. This movement resulted in the adop-
tion Of tan at to enable lodges IN certain cities
and towns within the jurisdiction Of the Grand
Lodge OF the State Of Illinois TO organize Boards
OF General Relief Of the l. Q. Q. F." which
provided that In any city or town having three
or more working lodges ''Board Of General
Relief" might be organized, when it appeared
that majority Of the lodges desired the ior1na-
tlon of such board, which should thereafter be
the aimouers OF the charities and relief Of their
constituent lodges, to all persons entitled
thereto on account OF their connection with the
Order, and nou-conncction with any lodge IN
such city or town.
At the following session at Jacksonville, the
Grand Secretary reported that result: ''Ihe
requisite number of lodges having signiticd
their desire fur the formation Of Board of
General Relief in the City Of Chicago, I called
upon lodges in that city to vote upon the ques-
tion as provided by law and, it being ,ne:
lodges in favor Of Board Of General Relief,
the necessary authority was given"
The matter being referred to the Committee
on the State OF the Order, they recommended
that his action in tue premises be approved; !.
ballot anew on the original pFopositlon, but the
subject, however, was not brought bclore them
in such way as to draw their attention SUI
hcicutiy to it, and as a result but few lodges
ip Chicago entertained the question ut ALL
seven voting for and one against the organiza-
ton. state these facts not in spirit oI fault
finding, but with desire that all should under
stand the status Of the matter. That such Il
Board is needed Is universally admitted, and In
order that the object may be attained It will be
necessary tor some three lodges again to make
application in accordance with the law, and then
the question will be properly put before the
lodges for their decision.
MISCELLANEOUS.
The health of n. ". G. F., w. L. Sweeney Is
improving, and as soon as he is able nc will
visit this city.
WE. Carlin was in Chicago Tuesday, and rc-
ported great nctiyity in the EncanpmeDt branch
In the southern part OF the State.
Some of the Grand officers will be present at
the meeting of the Illinois Encampmcnt No. =.
Friday evening, aud important business Is TO
ccEc up.
Union Lodge, No. 8, will give all entertain
mcnt ut their hail, corner Clark aud Washing
ton streets, Thursday evening. The programme
consists Of Tccitations, music, ctc- All fFiends
Of the order are invited to attend.
Chosen Friends Encampmcnt, No. 2, paid 4
visit to Chiyago Encamprnent, No. 10, Friday
evening to witness the presentation ol aset OF
beautiful regaa to T. .CP.. Sharp on behalf OF his
Encampncnt by P. c. r. ". II. Davis. The re-
c!pient responded appropriately, and remarks n.
were also made by J. G. OrvllIe, G: =, W. Il.
Crockcr, G. s. W., and Bro. Charles Hefte..
MICHIGAN.
At the recent annual session of the Grand En-
canpmcnt Of Michigan, tue Grand Treasurer
made the following report:
Balance on hand and receipts -...... -...--S3, 01l
Expenditures. - 4, ,813
Balance on hand d.-.............-......S 192
. The Grand Scribe reported the following
statistics: Number Of limitations during the
wear, 2Gl; reinstatel, SO; by card, s.; expelled,
5: i died, is; suspended, 3ot; withdrawn, 10; re.
ject:ons, 0; working camps, 50; increase OF
camps q; number Of ?. c. r, 179; number
in good standing, 2,471, showing loss
III membership during the year OF 80.
Relicf-Patriarch relieved. ~; families re-
lieyed, 1; patriarchs buried, ID.
Amount maid for relief OF patriarchs. -.S667
Amount paid for relief Of widowed families. 60
Amount paid for burias... ...........-....... 10o