Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-10-20
Grand master Mann,s Repert.

IL. %,
To the r. W. Grand Lodge, independent order
Odd Fellows, of Tennessee:
REPRESENTATIVES, AND BRoTHERs-Another year
has passed and been added to the history of odd
Fellowshfptn Tennessee. Again we are Assem- bled
70 eglsate Tor toe good and welfare Of our beloved
order. Being permitted to meet together again,
we should thank Him, who has watched and pre-
sided over us during the interim for all the mani
iold blessings He has bestowed upon us Odd
Fellows and as citizens. AS regards the health,
prosperity and general condition of the order IN
the state, we meet nder suspicious circumstances.
Throughout the entire State prosperity and pro-
gress have left their tracks. Never before has our
State known such vast increase in trade and
such plenteous crops. 1t is with these pleasing
surroundings am permitted to greet you. Now.
as Odd Fellows inspired by these surrouudines'
and guided by the experience of the past. i
hope your deliberations will be characterized
with wisdom and an evident desire to promote the
depends In great measure upon your present
holiday occasion, but let us at once address our
selves to the work for which we have assembled.
Before submitting to your delberation my official
recommendations tnat, in my judgment, will be
beneficial 10 the order, allow me to say that at the
master was conferred upon me, 1 had not the
slightest idea OF the duties and responsibilities of
for you to judge. l have given to them whatever
OF ability possess, and my constant and Watchful
care; | now surrender to you the important trust
have labored earnestly and faithfully for the pros
perity and good OF our fraternity.
DECISIONS.
On enLefng upon the duties OF Office as
grand master, determined TO hold the brothers
strictly to the law. Hence submit to you only
twelve decisions for your approval or disapproyal
of place to say have returned these questions TO
the brothers, stating why l could not decide
them. Some few have been returned to me and
decided.
DEFUEcT LODGES.
At your last session 1t was made the duty of
luton offered By Representative Landis Isee pro-
eeedugs, page 2S to look after the defunct lodges
OF this jurisdiction which duty beg leave to say.
we have given more than passing notice. Early
IN January requested the grand secretary to issue
a; McMinn, No. 81; Ripley, No. rs; McNairy, No.
Sc; Monroe No g; Coyipgton. No. %; sParta. No.
Bluf No. al; Prospect, No. 169 Tiptonville, No.
I7O; Juno, No. i7l Marysvflle, No. Isl; Holston,
complied with by July ist their charters and ali
effects would be demanded.
The case of Monroe Lodse, No. &c. needs more
than passing notice. You will remember at your
last session you granted them permission to move
the said lodge from Loudon 10 Philadelphia, on
assurance that there might be good lodge built
up there. deputized Brother W. A. simpson to
in the secret work. In April he reported to me
that 1t would be impossible to reorganize the
lodge, as the brothers took no interest in it. 1
therefore addressed him q communication stating
that unless the lodge was reorganized by July Ist
should demand their charter and effects, which
did at the close of June, 1882
1t is clear to my mind that something should be
done by this Grand Lodge, at your present session.
my late experience, that the Grand Lodge has
been great loser by allowing her lodges to be-
long, before demanding their charter Therefore
recommend to this grand body that there be
division of the State, whose duty it shall be. on
being advised by the grand master or grand secre-
effects OF any lodge that may become defunct and
their expenses paid by this grand body, as / am
certain that 1t is too much to ask of your grand
master aud grand secretary.
VIsrTATToNs
To my regret have been, for various reasons
compelled to forego the pleasure of visiting a
great many lodges during the past year. The du-
ber, have been so urgent and constant as to re-
quire all the time that 1 could devote to other
matters than those connected with my daily
labors.
SUGGESTIONS.
During the year my visits to some few lodges in
East Tennessee has very clearly demonstrated the
fact to me that great inconvenience as well as
much Misunderstanding is continually occurring
in subordinates, on account of the very unsettled
condition IN which our local laws exist.
That the same state of affairs prevails in the other
two divisions of the jurisdiction / doubt not
This grand body as | conceive, however. is not
entirely in fault for the existence of this deranged
and unsettled condition of our laws; for you are
fully aware that many important changes and
much legislation have recently taken place in the
Sovereign Grand Lodge affecting the laws usages
and regulations OF grand and subordinate lodges.
May we not hope and expect that our general laws
have settled down to something like of rest,
and may not ply our oars of legislation eau
tiously in such way that all the lodges through
out This jurisdiction may rely on our action as
being final at least for some time TO come? Be
fore closing my suggestions would like to say a
few words TO the ID. ID. grand masters. There have
been many complaints made against the grand
secretary as to his not doing his duty Right here
wish to say know that to be wrong for the
grand secretary and grand master can do nothing
regret very much to say as some OF my predeceg-
sofs have said that have not received reports
from onethird OF the d. d. grand masters through
out the jurisdiction. Many of them have given
as their excuses ignorance of the law in regard to
grand secretary be directed to have their duties
printed upon their commissions so that they may
not have that Tor an excuse in the future. Ny
opinion is that this is why great deal of the slack
work is done would advise the district deputy
grand masters in the future to be required, il is
put OF their power TO perform their duties, TO mo-
Lify the grand master at once, and recommend
some brother who could and would perform them.
| believe 1t 10 be detrimental to lodges and the
order to have such as leaders as some of the
district deputy grand masters we have had this
year. think the evil might be remedied to a
great extent by changing our law so as to require
the appointment Of district deputy grand masters
% be made before the Grand Lodge adjourns, aud
CONCLUSION.
As your executive ofhcer shall take the priv
llege OF speaking in regard to the immortality and
intemperance OF the order. Odd Fellowship is a
dresses worss and in in It's its dSgsons a
and lectures 10 the lodge room the PRINCIPLES of
any sectarian or political organization, we do
teach in our order morality and patriotism. On
order not wholly devoted to that work, 1t occurs
70 me tnat ~ would not only not be contrary TO
the principles OF our order, but in perfect har-
mony with them, to take higher ground upon this
all-1mportant question than ever before.
Is not lntemperance opposed to every principle
aoyocated oy our noble order9 No one can doubt
but that 1t IS already becoming the question OF
the country. The march OF temperance is one OF
triumph, bringing not desolation and sorrow, but
happiness prosperity and rejoicing. If we would
retain our place in the affections of the people we
must not De silent or neutral. therefore recon-
memo 70 you tnat our relation to this important
quesuon nave patient aud careful hearing. Let
US al once place ourselves the side of that great
temperance tide, and thereby win Tor ourselves
hgner place IN the affections OF the better class OF
our fellow-ciuzens. Odd Fellowship will lose
notning by the alliance, but will place herself in
the LEAD OF all other similar Organizations.
nope me brothers will pardon me ior speaking
OF TINS ali-important question. But should we
not as members of this grand body, assembled in
US annual meeting, 50 conduct ourselves, at least
ior ms snort space of time to prevent our or
oer rom the many and severe criticism by out
cannot close this report without extending to
tne grand secretary any many other brothers my
sincere and heartfelt thanks for their valuable aid
gwen me during my term of office.
Z. W. @. REPRESENTATIVE BUDDs REPORT.
H. w. 6. Representative E G. Budd also
submitted an able and exhaustive report