The state journal., 1884-10-18

BIENNIAL MEETING OF TIL
G.. u. o. Of 0. F.
Held III Cincinnati-Two Hundred
Delegates Present-Ball and
BANQUET.

U. y. OF y. f., composed OF dele
gates representing lodges of the or.
der in nearly every state in the
United States, Canada and the West
India islands, assembled in Cincinnati
| October 7th. This order of Odd
Fellows has no connection with the
/. o. o. F., and is distinctive body
from them, but it is similar in SYM
bols and principles. 1t is a branch
of the order in England, from whence
they obtained their charter, which
has its headquarters in Leeds and is
in fellowship and subject to the COM
mittee of management, which is the
supreme council of the whole order.
The B. NJ. G. here has exclusive con-
troll of the order in America, and d.
reefs its affairs and government and
receives reports of the statistical and
financial condition of its lodges and
members and elects its grand officers
to serve for two years and are known
as the S. NJ. G. of America, hence
the meeting in the Queens City was
one of more than ordinary interest to
the order and to the colored people,
of whom the order in this country is
mostly composed. Nearly two hun
dred delegates were present. Many
of them were men of note, worth and
ability from the professionals walks
of life, and are celebrated as such,
joined in this great order, they met
hand in heart in solemn conclave to
perpetuate the institution and ex-
tend its charities. 1t is the largest
beneficial body among the colored
people in the United States. Among
the distinguished men present as
delegates were Col. Lewis, collector
port of New Orleans; DR.. Newman,
prominent and skillful physician,
New Orleans; M. Gettis, architect
and builder; A. A. Comes, contrac-
tor; Ex.Judge Brown, New Orleans;
w, Il, Risher, merchant, Austin.
Texas; VIM. D. Fry and Adam
Ateele, Philadelphia; D. H. Gustus,
Del: r. M. Clark, Va; E, II. Nor
ris, lawyer, Chicago; L. L. Lee
Col. Player; R. Sykes, mail inspec-
tor, Ca; Gen. T. Morris Chester,
president o. r. r., N. c.; VIM. T.
Scott, editor Cairo Gazette. Ill; E.
2. johnson, N. Y; ]. II. Johnson,
Pittsburg; Cept. w. OatIin, Monon-
gahela City; J. H. Harris, Boston,
Mass; Alderman J. w. Simpson,
Harrisburg, Pa, J. w. Anderson,
Pa, and S. G. Mckinley.
According to the programme ar
ranged the delegates assembled at
the headquarters of the committee,i in
a body, and under the escort of the
lodges of Cincinnati, preceded by
band, marched to one of the many
grand opera houses, for which the
Qneen City is noted, where an ad-
dress of welcome was delivered by
Patriarch T. J. Monroe, chairman of
the committee of arrangements. The
address was mastery production,
eloquently delivered with marked
effect, and was received with applause
of approval which showed the ap-
probation of the sentiments it ex-
pressed. The orators reference to
the object Of the order and its
charities, its meeting in Cincinnati,
where Margaret Garner, in the days
of slave oligarchy, would rather have
her children die and imbued her
hands ia their blood rather than to
have them return to the degradation
of slavery, its music hall and tenn
Piles of art and fashion were depicted
with fervor that left lasting i'm
preston on bis hearers. After the
presentation OF floral tribute of
welcome by the Daughters of Ruth
to the convention and reply by the
grand master, VIM. T. Forester, of
Va, the convention proceeded to
business by the appointment of a
committee on credentials. After re
ceiving the report thereon the per-
manent officers of the convention
were selected IS follows: Worthy
chairman, ]. G. Johnson, Ark; vice
chairman, D. E. Costien, Washing
ton; secretaries, G. A. Wilson, La,
and VIM. Fl. Smith, Mass. The
convention was in constant session
from the time of the opening until
Saturday evening, October II, 1884.
when it adjourned amidst much con-
fusion, owing to the contest between
those favorable to district lodges and
those opposed to them. The officers