Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-08-20
KNIGHTS TEMPLARS.
Grandeur and Discomfort Of
the Immense Gathering.
Protests by the California and
Memphis Communicates.

go is fairly smothered in banners and
b~annerets, shields, crosses and other
devices of Templarism. The hotels
are thronged with sir knights, and the
streets overrun with curious sight
seers. While it was anticipated that
the occasion of the t%riennial c%onclave
would witness a gathering such as
was never before known in this city
it was hardly expected that the first
day would attract so many outsiders
OF show such a profusion Of decora-
tions in honor Of the event. 1t is
hardly possible to express in words
the wealth and warmth of the n
mentation that has gone up every
where, on public and pri-
vate buildings alike, or to convey an
adequate idea of the enthusiasm that
has seized upon and is manifesting it.
self through the citizens. This has
been the first formal day of the con-
clave. Camp de Molay, on the lake
front, is a seem Of animation and con-
fusion Communicates coming and 60
ing, bands playing, flags flying and
general hubbub prevailing every
where. OF 1900 tents not more than
one-third had been taken possession
of this morning, but during the day
the sir knights were coming in from
all directions, and tonight probably
of the 5000 who are to occupy the
tents nearly all are in their quarters.
OF the 1863 Communicates which are
to be in the city, perhaps 200 put in
an appearance and we're being quar-
tered either in the camps or at the
hotels by noon to-day, and kilograms
had been received from at least fifty
more on the way announcing their
approach and proximity to the city.
This forenoon commanderies from
Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey,
New York and other eastern and
southern states, we're among the ar
rivals, and they we're quartered prin-
cipally at the hotels,
POOR CAMP ARRANGEMENTS.
There was trouble in the camp yes
terday afternoon and evening. Emil
nent Sir Gassette and the camp COM
mittee bad supposed that only two or
three communicates would come into
camp. But they came pouring in by
the dozen until there were nearly three
thousand in camp, as the authorities
calculate. They came by day and they
came by night. 1t was found that
there was not sufficient accommoda-
ton furnished. and loud and deep
were many of the complaints made.
This proved a great drawback to the
comfort of the California sir knights
especially, creating a good deal OF crit
icism and occasiOning some bad feel
ing that may not easily be allayed.
The C%alifornians had been assured by
the triennial committee, who arranged
for this great display, that the quarters
to which they we're to be assigned
would be as comfortable as a hotel,
and that they need not give themselves
any anxiety on account OF their sleep
ing accommodations. OF course they
were perfectly willing and, indeed.
anxious to go into camp. But what
was their surprise when they found
themselves placed in tents with mOst
meager appointments no carpets, nc
necessary appliances, with only one
blanket with which to cover them.
solves and the wind blowing a fierce
and almost freezing gale off the lake.
Those who were physically reduced
by their long and wearisome journey
| found their health jeopardized, while
the others protested, but in vain
against the arrangements, The ladies
fortunately, had been sent to the Ire.
mont house and thus avoided the dis
comforts to which the men were sub
jected.
THIEVES AT WORK.
To add to the displeasure, which
was fast growing stronger and strong
er. the Californians found themselgei
about midnight deprived of a larg,
amount Of their baggage, which haC
been dumped on the ground heal tn.
copRnos of the camp, and owing to tn
lack Of attendance left there to fnt
It's way as best it could to the respect
i've tents for which it was intended
a large number Of providers about in
camp had taken advantage Of the la,
and insufficient police force ADD mad
off with baggage of various descrip
tons. The sir knights were alarmel
by one of the guards when this act oc
Cured, and made their way as bes
they could from their respective quar-
ters, but not until it was too late t
save a large quantity Of the good
which had been run off under cove
of darkness. 0fpoprss this inoiden
had the effect to intensity tho feelin
that had already taken possession O
the members of the order on accoun
of the insufficient and imperfect cam
arrangements. Some Of the sir knight
are free to say that 1t certainly di
manifest a degree Of incapacity and
nothing less on the part of the trien
NAL committee to have the camp i
J such a condition, and on the very da,
! too, when it was expected that con
manderies would be arriving, for tn
going into quarters there. The CON
( mittee, they say, had three years tim
} to make all the arrangements necei
sary and now, at the last momen
when everything should be in perGeC
4 order, everything is at loose end.
There is no order, no system. Appa
= rently nobody seems to know any
t thing about the divlslop Of the CAM
D Everybody who wears a brief author.
e ty is displaying it to the utmost &C
t vange, and Camp de Molay, while
t was planned on a magnificent sea-
S and outwardly presents a grand an
imposing spectacle, is inwardly in
f comparative condition Of anarchy. |
fact, late last night many Of IL
Califorpiang who were fortunal