Daily Los Angeles herald., 1884-05-04
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Annual Meeting and Reception-A
Historic Event.

al5tOIiC htont~
This new and vigorous organization
had large and brilliant meeting last
night at Armory Hall. The organiza-
tion is intended to he an advanced step
of the society of the A. o. U. W., as
the Knights Temrlar are an advance in
Free Masonry.
There has been struggle in this or
der for the choice Of location OF head
quarters for the Pacific coast, in which
Los Angeles has come out ahead most
triumphantly. At the social last night,
of California Legion No. /, a fine audi
ence was in attendance. After the usual
Introductory exercises, $. X. C.-S. A.
Widney delivered a carefully prepared
address on the aims and plans of the
Select Knights, Of which the following
is brief synopsis;
"Select Commander, Comrade
knights, Brother Workmen, and La
dies: l feel very great satisfaction n
this evening in meeting with us SO many
Interested in the advent Of this new De.
gree of the A. o. U. w. ON this coast,
and as we are the tirst legion formed in
California, it is necessary that we ex-
plain to our brother Workmen, and 10
those favorable to our Order, first what
are the aims and objects sou ght by the
Knights. This is the main reason oil this
reception tonight, aud these objects
am called upon to State.
From the first, till very recently, our
Degree encountered from many Work
men, great opposition owing to the mis-.
taken idea that it was to be riral Of
Workmanship; but on full showing of
the facts. all oppos tion has ceased, and
our former opposers are now flocking to
our doors seeking admission.
The Select Knights Of the Ancient
Order Of United Wvrkmen is q fraternal
and benevolent secret society, auxiliary
to the A. q. U. w, hich it is intended
to aid and strengthen.
Only NJ. w. degree members of the A.
o. U. w. are eligible to membership in
the ). KS and, when suspended from
the former, they cease to belong t, the
latter. The organization consists of a
Supreme Legion and the Grand and
Subordinate Legions. Its members are
uniformed and subject 10 military drill,
ia this respect .he Degree being like the
Knight Telnplar Of Masonry.
The society was organized in 1878 and
has been received with such favor that it
has now over 1000 members.
The s. KS have two beneficiary de-
partmobts. one Grand Legion beneficiary,
co-extensive with the Grand Jurisdie-
ton, for $1,000; one Supreme Legion
ben. .ficiary, co-extenslve with the Uni.
ted States aud Canada, for 81 O09 max.
ing the whole amount that Knight can
have, as follows: A. o. u. W. $1,000,
Supreme Legion $1,000, Grand Legion
81 200, in all $1,000.
LII is optional with those who Join the
Legion whether or not they take out a
beneficiary certificate in the Grand or
Supreme Legion department or not, an d
they can take out certificate In either
one and not in the other.
When q Select Knight dies. an assess
ment is made in the snme manner as in
the A. U. u. W., on mtmbers Of the
Jurisdictions to which the decea sed had
belonged,
There is no limit to the age at which
members are admitted to tho pegpee;
but they cannot epter the beneficiary de-
partments II over 55 years.
And now few reasons as to phy this
Degree has been instituted, Workman.
ship has increased to such an extent that,
in any one Lodge. many mem.
bers are strangers to each other,
Workmanship is more of financial in
stituiion than Of q social one, and dot S
not enough conduce TO the mutual en-
joyment Of its members, as we propose
to have the Degree accomplish. Out Of
the mass Of felI9w \yorkinen We prefer
to select the more cnngenial to W., henee
our term Of Select Knights. Ia the
Knight Degree We add to Workmanship
all the advantages referred to. The 80
cial feature shall rank higher than the
financial, Just reversing the order Of
Workmanship. Our vows bind us more
closely together in both sickness and
health. The care Of the sick is more
imperative, Atteadance upon the burial
of the dead is cnforoed, The widows
and orphans Of deceased comrades have
double claim upon US. In the affairs
Of every day life We look more closely
after the interests of each other.
Our medical examination is much
moro rigid than that of Workmanship,
hence our rate of insurance will bt
lower. Our added insurance make
Workmanship more desirable. We have
no factions, no cliques. The ideas oI
God and morality are held up even more
prominently thah in the parent Order,
but we arc TO know no sect nor Gre 4.
And now, comrades, few words more
specially TO you. congratulate you on
the propitious start our Degree has made
in this State. We have the name Of or.
ganizing the first Legion in the State ol
California. Oar Legion has already q
large membership Of eongtnial com
r..des.
We have already carried In our inter.
terest the Grand Lodge, A. o. U. W., o.
this State, and that, too. in the ( &C O.
organized opposition. We have it il
our power TO institute here in Los Ange
les the Grand Legion of California. To
do this we must be alive and active, moi
losing the present opportunity. w.
must swell the membership Of our lie.
gion. We mhst help institute othel
Legions here in our fair Southern Cali
fornia. We must show that we are bet
ter men because Of this knighthood
We must, by our lives, convince other,
hat this Degree is something to be de
sired. Then, oomradesi
Coward for the truths Of God
Onward for the right
Firmly let the field be trod
In Lifes coming fight
Heavens own hand will lead thee on:
Guard thee till thy task be done.
Then will brighter. sweeter flowers
Blossom round Thy way.
Than Ger sprung in Hopes glad bowera
In thine early day
And the rolling years shall bring
Strength and healing on their wing"