The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-04-12
having previously by resolution agreed to
dispense with session last night.
Annual Meeting OF the Grand Lodge
Of Odd. Fellows.

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Annual Meeting OF the Grand Lodge
OF Osid.Fellows.
The Grand Lodge, I. .. o. r., met in
forty-fifth annual session ut Odd-Fellows'
Hall yesterday morning at 10 o'clock-pre-
sent, the following officers: T. j. Crowder.
OF Stlunton, grand master; W. NJ. Barnitz,
Salem, deputy grand master; j. Il. Blanks,
Of Petersburg, grand warden pro tenn. 7.
Wiley Davis, Of Richmond, secretary !;
John w. FERGUSON, OF Richmond, treas,f-
rer; Rev. j. j. Scherrer, ot Wythevflle,
chaplain; l.. T.. Blick, OF Norfolk, mar
shall; John Il. Knight, OF Fredericksburg,
conductor; John A. Lakewood. guardian,
and q. w. Hollis, herald.
COMMITTEES.
The following committees were ap-
pointed:
Elections and Returns: Joel c. White,
J. Calvin Smith, and w. A. o. Cole.
Finance Jacob II. Robinson, w. e.
Straughn, and ID. A. Bucher.
State Of the Order: A. X. Courtney,
Charles Goodrich, w. II. Hass, J. B. Ley,
andJ. w. Wright. qT
Bylaws OF Subordinate Lodges J. J.
Scherrer, j. w. White, and X. Il. Brunei.
Charters: j. b. Blanks, John Ross, and G..
W. Beach.
Appeals; c. +. Benson, j. II. Peay, and
Aug. Blenner.
GRAND MASTERS REPORT.
The Most Worthy Grand Master pre-
sented his report, which was read, and, oi;
motion Of L. Ii. Fitzhugh, past Grand
master, referred to the following commit
tee for distribution-viz.: Il. :. Valentine.
&. s. Wells, and VI. III. Bolton.
The Grand Master says Our future IL
filed with bright omens. The depressing
influences that have surrounded us for
some time past are in 4 large measure re-
moved, and | think that il wise counsels
prevail at this session. and il we are true
to ourselves and the order we represent, a
new era will dawn upon Us, and our pro-
gress will be "onward and upward"
Born upon the soil OF an adjoining state,
the order was early planted in Virginia.
While it took deep root in the hearts of
many, and in this jurisdiction was not
"bOrn to die" il has not made that pre-
greSs that its friends hoped for and reasOna-
bly, expected, or that ITS merits deserved.
The causes that have retarded our pro-
gresS have been many and manifold. Those
OF more recent years are familiar to the
members OF this Grand Lodge. Emerging
from civil war which was desolating in
the extreme, many OF our lodges had gone
down, and no systematic efforts have been
riade TO revive them or organize new ones.
When we had IN some degree recovered
from the devastating influence OF our civil
war, the financial panic OF 1873 occurred,
which paralyzed our commerce and pros
tratcd the industries Of our country. the
effects OF which are in n large measure yet
felt. Other orders, protesting to be some
what similar in object, have also orisen in
the last several years, promising greater
peclmiary benefits for less SUN OF money,
which have, doubtless, TO some extent
crippled our lodges and retarded the pro.
gress OF our order.
Our system OF finance is based on sound
business principles. Experience, the best
teacher. has so demonstrated. Let us, so
far as our finances are concerned, "pursue
the even tenor OF our way" confident that
time will demonstrate the correctness Of
our position.
Then followed the journal Of appeals,
decisions, &c.
GRAND REPRESENTATIVES,.
The report of Grand Representatives
a. Il. Courtney and James Il. Blanks was
also submitted, giving IN interesting ac-
count Of the last session Of the Sovereign
Grand Lodge held at Cincinnati.
To the report the following note is
attached:
With this report my second term rs
gi9aRd Representative ends, and take this
opportunity OF announcing my determine
tion not to be candidate for reelection.
Nv four years OF service in this office has
been altogether pleasant, without one sim
Gle occurrence that | can now recall which
causes feeling OF regret or dissatisfaction
on my part. The kind manner in which
nv brethren at home have been pleased TO
speak Of my poor services, and the unmer-
tied recognition received by me from the
Grand Sires under whom | have served,
have been all that ihc most ardent ambi-
ton could desire, and far beyond my most
sanguine expectations. But find that my
professional and other engagements will
not admit OF my longer enjoying these
honors. attended as they must and
should he with the labors which
properly belong TO a Grand Representative
in this jurisdiction who desires TO be faith
full TO that high trust. | therefore again,
rs have often before done, thank you sin
cerelv for the honor you have done me by
twice eccting me your grand representa-
tive, and in retiring finally from that posi-
ton assure you that my love and zeal Tor
our grand ard glorious order has in no whit
abated, and that hereafter, as heretofore, |
shall be ever ready TO speak its praises and
promote its welfare 10 the utmost OF my
ability. A. H. COURTNEY.
DECISION.
The Grand Lodge decided that an amend
ment to the General Laws which had been
submitted at a previous session could not
be amended, but that the vote must be
taken on its adoption as submitted.
There was the usual recess for dinner.
UNwRITTEY WORK.
At4P. NJ. II. $. Valentine. y. g., moved
that the Lodge now resolve itself into secret
session and 50 remain during the eXempli-
fication OF the unwritten work, which was
agreed TO. The unwritten work was then
exemplfed by j. Is. Blanks, p. G.. VI, in
a very distinct and instructive manner
Soon thereafter the Lodge adjourned to
meet at o O'Clock this morning. The elec-
tion Of officers takes place to-day.
VIRGINIA HISTORICAL S0CIETY.-A meet
ing OF the Executive Committee Of the
Virginia Historical Society was held yes
terday at 8 O'Clock =. NJ. at the Westmore-
land Clubhouse. Present: Messrs. Henry
(chairman) Kelley, Wexford, Barney, Pal
mer, OFT, Brock, and Barksdale Cecordlng
secretary.
A number OF gifts Of books, relics, etc.,
were reported.
Letters accepting membership in the se-
cicty were read from Past -Assistant-sur-
geon John Cropper Wise, United States
navy, Newport, X. l.; Rev. John b. Spots
wood. ID. d.. New Castle, Del. James NJ