The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-05-21
ODD-FELLOWS' GRAND LODGE.
4 Monument 70 Be Erected to the Mem
DRY Of the Late Schuyler Colfax.
Reports Of officers as to the Financial Stand
ing of the Order-Proposed Change
in Representation Rejected.

morning. There were over six hundred dele
gates in attendance during the days proceed
tngs. and the session was of more than usual
Importance A long report was submitted by
the special committee appointed at the last con-
vocation to consider the proposed amend
ments to the constitution, the most
important one being a change reducing
the representation to four delegates for each
district, making the number, in the aggregate,
about one-fourth less than it now is .Expe-
rience has fully demonstrated" the committee
stated in their report, ''that this Grand Lodge
As now constituted, is far too large for fair sue
cess in the business of practical and useful legis
lation, and while it is true that each and every
lodge may, if they so desire, have representa-
tive in this Grand Lodge, that right will still be
maintained under the reduction of the number
of representatives, obtained by the plan of rep
resentative districts. In the Judgment Of your
committee, the change proposed is one much to
be desired and 1t is believed that the change can
be practically accomplished without serious jar
Or inconvenience to the fraternity in this juris-
diction." The committees report occasioned a
long and animated discussion, in which Charles
L. Jewett and several others participated. The
report was finally indefinitely postponed.
John Il. Wildman, the grand MASTER pre-
eented his annual report during the morning
session. He said that numerically the order mad
not increased in membership since the last
session, which he accounted FOR, in part. by ''the
severe winter and the general cry of hard times
However, he reported that dispensations had
been granted for new lodges at Springtown,
Crawford county; Knightvile, Clay county;
Manchester Dearborn county; Mount Aver,
Newton and Centerville in Vigo county, while
charters had been surrendered by the lodges at
North Madison, Michigantown and Newton Stew
art. The grand master recommended to the
legislative committee the propriety of so framing
q law that it will prohibit lodges from loaning
their funds to their own members, or taking
their members as indorsers or surety for lodge
funds loaned
The report of the grand secretary, B. F. Foster,
showed that, during 1884 relief had been given
1925 members of the order. and 2O3 widowed
families The total sum expended in charitable
work was 800. 55e- 3d. There are SOL lodges in the
State. During the year there were 1871 accessions,
and 256 were lost by suspension and withdraw
al The total membership is now %, 40. The re-
ceipts during tbs year amounted to Sc, 40 q,
and the disbursements, 81, BOZ 08, leaving bal
ance in the treasury of $l3, 874 90
Theo p. Haughey. the grand treasurer, pre-
sented statement of the Grand Lodges finances,
showing that. at the last convocation, there was
a balance on hand of $I4 FOG 81, and the receipts
since amounted to Sc. II, making total of
$I3, 874 So There is balance of 81 669.42 to
the credit of the hall fund.
The following standing committees were ap-
pointed at the session during the afternoon:
On Credentials-J. Il. Barrett, ]. A. Ferguson, s
On the State of the Order-Thos Underwood VIII
Cumbsck, 9; A. Harper, w a. Eltzold, j. W. Hard
osriehs Bar no;Sd Chapman nan.
Christian Feta, Samuel Smith, j. T. Sanderson.
On Financed. B. Shideler j. A. Wildman, A. G..
Daily, L. Russell, w. r. Myers
On Grievances and Appeals. B. Kimball. L. T.
Kitchener. George Ford, G. P. Fuley Charles L.
Jewett.
On Mileage and Per Di en- Lawrence Gates, w. a.
Jacks d. A. Newton, W. II. II. Cooper, George w.
gourwine.
On Petitions and Applications. o. Pedigo, s. a.
Owen G. f. Mosier A. S. Mellis w. A. Pierce.
On Subordinate Lodge Constitutons-Richard
Berger Ed. S. Porter, John v. Preston, ]. w. CAL
Vert w. P. Knight.
On Degree of Rebekah-T G. Eeharrell. F. r. A..
1eter Thomas w. Kiser. s. B. Holley, George W.
Waters.
On Miscellaneous Business. w. Elliott. Lon. D.
Rogers, David B. Creyiston, A p Orr r. j. Strick-
land.
The following report was submitted by the
eommi ttee appointed en- Tuesday to consider a
proposition to erect a monument to the memory
of the late Schuyler Colfax, distinguished
member of the order
To the Grand Lodge of Indiana:
Brethren-At the annual convention Of the
Daughters of Rebekah of the State of Indiana,
held in the hall on yesterday. the following reso-
luton was passed:
Resolved That committee be appointedsfro the
convention of Daughters of Rebekah to bring before
the Grand Lodge of Indiana 1T its session tomorrow
the propriety of taking steps to erect monument in
memory of Schuyler Colfax. the author of the
degree of Rebekah.."
The undersigned committee, selected in con-
forinity with the foregoing resolution beg leave
TO perform the pleasurable duty of present
ing said resolutions for your consideration.
Your committee may be permitted to add that
the proposition meets with their unanimous and
most hearty Endorsement, and trust that such
action may be had by this grand body will
cause the erection at an early day of a
monument whereby we may evidence our
appreciation of the services of Past Grand
Representative Schuyler Colfax, make record
of cur gratitude for his gift TO the order of the
degree CT Rebekah, and transmit his name en-
craven on an enduring tablet to coming genera
TONS To that end the undersigned would
recommend the reference of the matter to a
committee of five, with full power to act in the
premises: any expense incurred in said duty to
be paid by the treasurer OF this grand body on
the order of the grand master, duly attested by
the grand secretary. Respectfully submitted.
THEo p HAUGHEY.
THos. UNDERWOOD,
s. b. HoLLEY,
JOHN F. WILDMAN
Committee.
The report was adopted, and J. w. McQuiddy,
i. q. Beharrell Will Cumback Theo. p
Haughey and J. B. Kimball were appointed a
committee to carry oat the recommendations
A number of reports were received from the
committee on grievances and appeals and were
disposed of E. F. Phelps, grand master of the
l. O. o. f. in Illinois, present during the
afternoon session and delivered a brief address
The session will continue to-day, and the grand
officers for the next year will be elected.
Virginia Avenue Rink Opening.
The opening of the Virginia-avenue Rink las
evening attracted by far the largest crowd evel