St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-09-16

this grand lodge shall rightly enforce its
power at all times, Is another thing. Per-
haps 1t might be the part of wisdom, and un-
doubleday always has been, and will be so,
that this Grand lodge act in all things gener-
ousy and fraternally. But it must not,
and never will yield to threats. Neither
should it ever surrender It's power to make
all constitutions and all laws deemed neces-
sary for its existence or its judgment con-
ducive to the good and welfare of the whole
order.
SUPREME TEMPLE, PATRrARCHAL CIRCLE.
It was hoped that the legislation had at
the last session on this qaestion would have
been finality, especially in view OF the fact
That the supreme temple, at a special session
held last October, removed, or pretended to
remove, the qualifications for membership in
the eircla. But subsequent events seem to
show conclusively that the same, or nearly
the same, condition Of affairs exists as they
DID before action was had at last session.
From all l can learn, no attention
is paid Thy the circle adherents to
the acts of the supreme temple and they
are still continuing to form circles and
take in members as they did at the be-
CHING From all the information had
upon tbs subject, the laws OF the Sovereign
Grand lodge are still being iufrlnged,
spirit Of defiance exhibited by the acts of
that body, and seeming determination at
all hazards to nulify and set aside the laws
which have been ordained by the great law
making power of the order.
The supreme oricle of the circle organiza-
ton has boldly declared that he will not ac-
cept a charter unless all the charter mem
bers are OF the Royal Purple degree, thus
virtually nulifying and setting aside the or
dar made by the supreme temple in the in
forest OF peace. 1t is true that no very great
progress has been mace by the circle during
the year, only eight subordinate temples hav-
ing been Instituted during that period, to-
wit, four in Wisconsin, three in Minnesota
and only one in Illinois, whilst two
have surrenderered their charter, one Of
them being in Ohio and one in Maine,
showing quite falling off from the previous
year and being gain Of only six temples.
No new territory has been occupied by them
during the year, and yet, with all these indi-
cations of decay, the leaders are still bidding
defiance to the action of the sovereign grand
lodge, add calling upon their followers to
stand by their flag. They do not seem to
have foothold in more than eight or nine
jurisdictions, yet, with a stubbornness
worthy Of a better cause, they seem to be de-
grand lodge to yield to their illegitimate de-
mands. Some further action seems to be
demanded from this grand body to finally
settle this annoying difficulty, and L leave
the whole subject to the wisdom of the repre-
seutatiyes who, l have no doubt, will do
what is proper in the premises. l refer to
exhibits accompanying this report, for infor-
nation on the subject.
Recomme ndations were made regarding
changes in the laws for uniformed degree
camp. Relative to aged and INDECENT men,
bers, the grand sire thought state grand
bodies could regulate the matter of paying
benefits to their members.
DO ANNUL SESSIONS PAY?
I call your particular attention to amend
ments to our constitution now pending. 1t
is hoped that due consideration may be
given them all. But I especially ask that
those relating to biennial sessions, and
change in bases Of representation, shall re-
ceive your careful study. The time has fully
arrived, in my opinion, when annual ses-
sions can be very well dispensed with and
biennial sessions take their place. Our
code Of laws is in such permanent shape,
and of such wide scope and general
application that they cover our whole
reviewed so often as in the earlier and cru
der state of our legislation there seemed to
be necessity.
The whole question now resolves itself
into this: Does it pay to hold annual SEES
sions in the present advanced position our
order holds among the great benevolent So
cieties Of the dayl
The last report shows that $25, 900 could
have been saved by not holding the session.
The report further referred to the Ridgly
monument, to the deaths of members, to the
finances, and concluded as follows:
Representatives-In presenting to you
this report, shall have discharged nearly
the last official duty devolving upon me as
tho incumbent of this high and honorable
Office, and shall soon resign the gavel Of
my authority to another. During the years
of my official term have felt responsible
ity of no common magnitude, and in
bearing these have been at all times sus-
tanned by the promptings of a heart deeply
filed with warm and loving attachment to
the great order of Odd Fellowship. In dis
charge of the many duties have been called
upon to fulfil, have endeavored TO do what
was right and lawful at all times. II / have
failed in my endeavors in which have
labored for success, the fault cannot be i'm
puted to me. Many opposing circumstances
may have combined to thwart my intentions
and battle my honestly directed efforts If,
however, l may have been the instrument in
forwarding the good and welfare of our order
in scattering the blessings of friendship, love
aud truth over any portion Of our common
race, and in carrying out the car
dinal virtues which they endeavor to incul-
cate, / shall rest content, for my every effort
has been directed, so far as had the power,
to the preservation Of things as they were,
''and not to the ENGRAVING Of the new and
the uutried.' If, however, in all my en-
deavor to faithfully discharge the great
duties entrusted to me l shall not meet with
that cordial appreciation we all so much de-
sire, yet shall at all events console myself
with the knowledge that have the approval
of my own conscience.
THE GRAND sECRETARY's REPORT
showed that during the past year there had
been gain of IL, S75 in the lodge member
ship in the various jurisdictions, and 5,742
gain in the encampment. The total lodge
membership Dec. 81 last was 506,S71, and
the encampment membership 90,S52. The
report was voluminous, aud included much
statistical inform alton.
THE TREAsURBR's REPORT.
The treasurer then submitted his annual
report 1t exhibited the fact that the re-
ceipts from all sources aggregated during
the year S44, s75.05, which comprises
s., O12.2o over and above all expenditures
The balance on hand is now $40, $50. rs,
which amount the treasurer estimated would
be inadequate to defray the expenses of the
present session. He explained that this state
Of affairs would neeessitate the
sale Of bonds. The report showed
the assets Of the Wildsy m Monument
fund to be 81, 541.46 aud the Ridgley fund
S15 44z39