Morning journal and courier., 1884-05-22

I It was decided early in the year by the Grand officers that no effort should be made | to organize new lodges, but that all effort should be towards strengthening old ones. ! This policy has been adhered to during the year, and while no new subordinate lodge has been instituted, the increase of the order in the State has been larger than ever before, | and the order is in better condition financially I than ever before. More care is being taken of the funds of the lodges, dues are being in creased, and the amounts of the benefits paid after fixed time reduced, so that the funds Of the lodges are increasing, and with | increase of funds comes increase of interest, ! harmony and prosperity.
 In a table presented of limitations during the past year the New Haven lodges showed in the following order: Montowese B, Har- mony 32, Quinnipiac 20, City 20, Humboldt IT, Relief 15, Germania 12, Polar Star 10 The Meriden lodges: Hancock 5, Meriden Center s, Pacific 2S, Teutonia 7. After referring to the fact that the growth of the order is mostly in cities and larger towns, and commenting upon the poor work done in many of the country lodges, the Grand master continues: There are 167 towns in the State and 57 lodges. Of these twenty six lodges are in seven towns and thirty-one towns have one lodge each. There are then in this State 129 towns in which no lodge exists, If Odd Fellowship is the institution we believe 1t to be, and does the good it is supposed to do, then these 129 to Wns should in some way be reached by it's direct influence.
 Referring to benefit societies, Grand Mas ter Deming said: within the past few years disease has appeared in this country and in this State which has at last assumed an epi- demic form. It has appeared in our order in a few isolated cases, and if allowed to spread will, I fear, do us injury. I refer to the disease of joining every kind of society which exists, and organizing new ones. Societies like our own are of incalculable value within proper limits. There are few men who cannot pay six eight dollars a year dues, but when person becomes 8 mem Der of number of societies, all'havinR six or eight dollars year dues, the burden be- comes too great, and results first in gradual neglect of ledge duties and then giving up of all lodges Within our order this desire for more associations and more sick benefits has resulted in organizing auxiliary bene- fit societies in some of our lodges. These associations have their bylaws, officers, etc, and are really lodges made up of a select few, inside another lodge. It IS an independent assocIa- ton making membership in lodge necessi- ty to membership in the association, but not recognizing the authority of the lodge or the order. At present we feel no hurt from this new candidate for our favor, but I see in 1t such possibilities for evil that call the atten- ton of the Grand lodge to it and recommend some decided action"
 In connection with the payment of dues, it is suggested that the payment be required in cd 10 five oCk 637 brothers have been suspended for non payment of dues, and at this time there are, brothers three months in arrears, 582 more than three months in arrears 491 :; total, 1,073, almost ready to be suspended. If dues were required by the lodges in advance, and after the first payment no brother would know the difference between paying at the beginning and end of the quarter.
 It is also rec commended that the appoint msnt of districE deputies be left with the grand master to be confirmed by the execu- tive council after the adjournment of the Grand lodge. This will give the grand mas ter an opportunity to investigate the charac> ter and capability of his officers
 The development of Rebekah lodges was advised and they were spoken of as an i'm portant auxiliary to the order. After stating that there was not need at present for an Odd Fellows home for the aged and infrm and
 
 passed on the death of Grand Treasurer Van sant, the address cl osed.
 The report of the grand secretary showed the present number of lodges in the State to be ffty-seven, with a total membership January last of 8, ,768, 8 gain during the lodges in 1883, $85, ,e12.4 43; receipts over sx- penditures, SIP, ,7o2.O7; total funds of subs l ordinates, $225, ,S2O. 12. The grand secreta- | ry received $1,973.75, of which $1, 1890. 49 | was from the Grand lodge tax. The | average amount of relief paid each member was $4. "A, while the per capita ex- pense was $4. 3l. It is shown that the dis ! bursements each year are larger than the amount paid for dues, and 8 consequent in- road into the receipts for initiat ions, degrees | and interest, and in some instances an en. croachnent on the invested funds.
 There are fifteen Degree of Rebe kat lodges, gain of one at New London, with { membership of l 1,507, falling off during ths year of 29.
 The principal business aside from routine work brought before theGrand lodge yesterda, was the appeal from Accanaut lodge of Wal lngford and Menuncatuck lodge of GuiIford growing out of sick benefit amounting t, lodge, whom it is claimed obtained sick ben eft on physicians forged certificate
 At the election of officers held in the afte I noon Superintendent William H. Stevenson of the Consolidated road, was elected gran, master. The other officers were:
 Deputy grand master. Loren H. Stsnnard New Haven.
 Grand warden, W. H. Comely, of Bridge port.
 ssGrand secretary, Frederick Botsford, Ne Haven.
 -Grand treasurer, James E. Bidwell, Mic
 dletown.
 Representative to Sovereign Grand lodg Lucius P. Deming, New Haven
 Grand chaplain, Rev. E. W. Maxcy, D. D
 Bridgeport.
 EGrand herald, Samuel -Cleeton, Ne
 Haven.
 EVENING SESSION.
 The concluding session of the Grand lods
 was held last evening in Poquonnock lodi
 room at which the new grand officers wel
 installed. It was decided to hold the ne,