, 1877-09-30
SECRET SOCIETIES.

Recent Session of Grand Lotlgeof !. q. o. F,
There was very little new legislation nj i'm.
portance. Strong efforts were made BY a
respectable MISUNDERSTANDING tho representa-
tires from (iinois-to diminish the current ex-
penses by reducing the allowance of mileage
anu per diem to members, hut without success.
The Grand Secretary BY pruning his voluminous
correspondence aided somewhat III the direction
OF economy. The pragtiee OF presenting set
Of the bound Journals Of the Grand Lodge to
each new representative Was discontinued there.
by saving about 81 900 per annum.
The following resolutions adopted modify
existing law regarling dropping for non-pay.
ment of dues, and are Of interest to every
Lodge:
ResoIrfd, That member Of 4 Subordinate Lodge
or EncaS,pmcnt, who is in arrears for weekly Or
funeral dues mure than thirteen weeks is not en-
or Eneampment, but " contributing member
un1i] suspended. dropped or expelled In accordance
with the requirements Of the constitution. and AZ
such is entitled to visit his own Lodge or Eucamp-
1ncnt- lie cannot, however become entitled tc
benefits until he shall have paid in full NIL due:
and fines weekly and fnDcral1 that have accrued
laws Of the Lodge or Encampment shall pro"
vide: nor then until ;hc expiration OF such tlme
thereafter Us may also By the laws be provided as
penalty.
Nesoired That Lodge or Encampment cannot
refuse to receive in full or in part the dues Of 4
member prior to his suspcnsion and no member
can be suspended or dropped from membership in
the Order for non payment Of dnes unless at the
time of his susuenson ne shall be indebted TO the
Lodge or Encamplnent for one years dues:
Hfsotred, That when any member OF Lodge or
Encampmept shall neglect or refuse to pay the
due. fixed By the laws for the space OF one year,
the Secretary Scribe shall report the same to the
Lodge or Encampncnt otherwise direct, such
member shall thercupon be SUSPENDED. he having
been first notified of the action that would be
taken. record Of which shall be made upon the
minutes The mere fact nf q member being over
twelve months in arrears does not constitute him
suspended or dropped member. tn render him
such the Lodge or Encampment must formally de-
clare him TO be suspended.
Dropping for no,l-payment of dues Is discre-
tionarv with the subordinate body and not COM
pulsorY as heretofore.
1t was decided that q Grand Lodge might per-
init its subordinata& to make bylaws requiring
dues to By paid in advance, provided such require
nent shall not work any forfeiture OF rights
now guaranteed to members by the laws OF the
Grand Lodge Of the United States.
The amendment to the constitution, making
sessions, WAS deferred till next session. Il mo-
tion to postpone indefinitely was lost,-52 yeas,
So nays,-showing a growing sentiment in favor
OF the change.
MILEAGE AND pER-DrEs1.
The amendment, giving Past Grand Sires
mileage and pcr-dicu, was lost,-a yeas, gS
nays. -
The amendment changing the name Of the
Grand Lodge Of the United States to the Supreme
Lodge received Is yeas to Ut nays, not three
quarters yote required to amend the cunstitu-
tinn.
The following resolution was adopted, and is
an important modification Of for1er legislation
in the matter Of special funds;
no Lodge Of Odd Fellows can exist. Is mn..
tual aih and fraternity: shat system OF dues and
q treasury for the security OF the former are the
adjnncts el our systcm: that all other
benefits arc simply incidents which
naturally tt.w from the duty Of mutual aid; that,
therefore, the whole Of the assets anu property OF
lodges trust funds, equally 10 be protected, and
Of equal sacredness: therefore
Resotrtd That when, from any cause. any sepa-
rate fund OF subordinate lodge shall &C found un-
it shall be lawfu! to otherwise appro-
pirate such fund to ncrc it. in whole or in part
in the general funds provided that the ooject con
tenpla1ed by such special fund be otherwise fuily
protected and secured. And provided, further,
that provision be fully made to return any dona-
ton made to the said special fund which may be
by any donor who NAV insiEt upon Its
being donated TO- tn: inject Tor which II was DO !
mated provided further. that such appropriation
shall be made unless tue same shall first be author
lzed by the Grand Lodge to which such subo1d,-
natc may be attached,
1t Was decided that State GrandsLo4lgcs may
not require members Of sub'r.linates to pay
dues or assessments for the establishment or
of lihraries.
ArrEAL CASES.
Many interesting eases were decided, but few
which, involve any ncw principle. The appeal
Of N. e. Eatnes from the decision nt the tirls'u
Iodgc Of Illinois was dismissed. This dte!s.on
reversed the former decisin in the flsc III Zli'a-
1l,crman better known aS the Kennedy taSe.
The Appeal Of Urendorff from the DECISION o.
thu irnd i.ui:.c Ut uiinoi. VAS tfssta'ue:'. anu
that of Ers~s, lrnn1 the SAME, snstailled ~ the
Committee, and laid on the tallo1,y 1he t'rand
Lodge.
Representative Sherman. of Illinois, 1or inc
Committee On Correspondence, repoEteti on Inc
status Of the Order as follows:
The correspondence discloses the fact that whI'e
4},c unmber Of mutations has diminished aboat
III no AZ compared with the previous year, an't
rh,. revenue about quarter OF Ea'lon, anu thc
number dropped for non ymenr OF dncs mas IN"
crcased abOut S. 600. yet there has been sna! in.
creasc in The total membership. and the financial
contIition OF the Order Il suund and healthy. The
temnorary cessation Of the rapid increase in mem~
her*hin and revenue which has been observed in
farmer years is doubtless directly attributable to
the continued serious depression IN the business
interests OF the country, and to this cause alone.
It is certainly matter Of jus, pride and gratu"
laton that the Order not only still dcscrvea, bnt
receives the commendation Of all Intelligent men.
anil that it uas been slightly affected BY foas
re4ta Of financial disaster so severe and Wlde~
.prend as to dcstfoy TO a considerable extent the
gigantic Industries Of onr country. to ann1hlntc