The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-06-22
SECRET SOCIETIES.
The Wonderful Growth of the
knights OF Honor.

The STATESMAN made note of the fact,
some days ago, that Austin has some
thing near thirty-One lodges and societies.
Nearly every one of these is in a flourish
ing and growing condition, and, as indi-
eating the spirit of the American people
in these secret and beneficiary organiZa-
tons, we single out one for special men
tion-the Knights of Honor. We do this
because, this order being probably the
strongest, numerically, in Austin, such
reference may prove interesting.
The knights of Honor organization
was instituted in June, 1878, Just nine
years ago, and it is now composed of
fully 100, 900 member, having over $500
subordinate lodges, and with grand lodges
in all the states of the Union except Del
aware, Nevada and Oregon. 1t has also
subordinate lodges in the latter states and
in majority of the territories. 1t has
paid to the families of deceased members
since its institution the enormous sum of
1867, 900. 1t paid 50, l53, 900 last year.
A brief summary of the most impor-
tant changes made in the constitution
and laws of the order will prove interes-
ting to our readers, particularly the MEM
bers of the fraternity and those who msy
anticipate becoming such.
Each member must pay his assessment
within thirty days, or he will stand sus-
pended.
Lodges are allowed forty days in which
to make returns to the supreme treasurer;
a failure suspends them, and they can
only be reinstated upon payment of the
assessment or assessments due, with a fine
Fnr BA- -,
good standing. Members of the sus
pended lodge will be entitled to the bene-
fit fund for an additional thirty days,
and also, in case member dies at the
expiration of the thirty days, and his
lodge is still under suspension, if the de-
ceased member holds a withdrawal card
or receipt for dues, his family shall re-
ceive the benefit.
The amount of the benefit, S200O,
must be paid by the supreme officers
within sixty days.
The laws were changed which hereto
fore have recognized subordinate lodge
officers as agents of the supreme lodge,
and the subordinate lodge made the
direct agent, through whom all monies
for the widows and orphans benefit
fund are to be transmitted. This is in
accord with the charter from the state of
Kentucky.
No person over fifty years of age will
be admitted to the order as beneficial
member after July /; by the way, the
time when all new amendments go into
effect.
A number of disputed claims were
adjudicated and ordered
paid by the supreme lodge. The supreme
reporters and supreme treasurer's offices
were permanently located at Louisville,
Kentucky. This will enable those Off
GERS to more promptly pay death losses.
Subordinate lodges are authorized to
condense the ritual by emitting all of the
first and second degrees except the obi
cations, and communicating the secret
work.
A unanimous vote of the supreme lodge
was recorded against separate state juris-
dictions in matters pertaining to the pay
ment of death losses.
The new constitutions and general
laws, rep .rted by committee appointed
at the previous session. were thoroughly
and discussed, and will, under
the law, be finally adopted at the next
session, which will be held in Galveston,
Texas, in May, 1888.
Thus, briefly, is given the important
work of this great body. The officers
chosen, embracing such distinguished
men in their avocations as the Hon. R.
Ii. Cochran, of Wheeling, West Vir-
ginia, as supreme dictator; General F. d.
Sloat, of New Haven, Connecticut, as
supreme assistant dictator; B. F. Nelson
ESQ, of Ashland, Ohio, as supreme re
porter; Judge Robert j. Breckinbidge,
Of Springfield, Kentucky, as supreme
treasurer, is an earnest of the honorable
character of the order, and insures for
The coming year greater prosperity, in
creased membership and fine record in
The payment of death losses.