The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-05-26

dress and by him indorsed and urgently recon-
mended the best plan adapted to meet the pressing
demands. This part of the Grand Masters address
was referred to the committee ways and means
and it is due to Grand Master Hay to say that
in the selection of the members OF
this committee he exercised extraordinary powers
and went outside of the Grand Lodge proper TO get
some of the members that comprised the committee
at that meeting. The committee consisted OF Albert
p. Charles. John Love- Mortimer Nye. Z. G.. McCol
lun and Charles Cruft and it is proper to say that
only two members of the committee lived to see the
work completed, Brothers Love, McCollum and Cruft
having passed away This committee submitted
short and comprehensive sport recommending the
adoption of the proposed plan. vote by lodges
having been demanded, the report of the committee
adopted by vote of for to l66 votes against
it. Therefore the trustees, Grand Master Hay, and
the committee ways and means of 1878, by the
votes of the Grand Lodge were enabled to pay the
debt
The secretary then reviews the part taken in the
payment of the debt by Grand Masters Van Valzah,
Sutton, Prather and Carr. from 1879 to 1854,
to each of whom much credit given showing
that it was made possible for Grano
Master Albert 2. Charles the chairman of the
first ways, ard means committee that suggested the
idea of raising the dues to also be the first to officially
proclaim to the Grand Lodge that the debt has been
paid in full. The debt, bonded and floating
aggregated $103, 666e6 We have in the last eight
years paid for interest less the refunded on that
account Isl ,6025O) S45, 191 80; premium on bonds
paid, $3, 070.99, making aggregate of $15l,
$685. paid in the last eight years for the piincipa
and interest of debt. To whom, then, shall we
give credit in reality for the payment of this cnor
NOUS sum of monevi Nv answer must be that the
credit is due to the % 600 Master Masons of the
great State of Indiana who have nobly and so
grandly stood shoulder to shoulder, and marched
elbow to elbow, in solid phalanx. with measured
STEP and without wavering from 1878 to 1856; those
Master Masons who have annually gone down into
their pockets and drawn therefrom the docr, agreed
upon finally in 1873. These twenty-five thousand
Master Masons of Indiana land to this noble body of
all present belong made possible for us to pro-
claim to the Masonic world to-day that Indiana con
tains within her borders true, noble and grand
body of Master Masons as breathe the pure air CT
heaven. God bless keep, preserve and sustain them
in all their laudabe undertakings and deliver them
from those who would endanger their peace of mind
and physical comfort by heapng heavy burdens upon
them;' and finally may peace and happiness forever
attend them, is my earnest and sincere prayer and
wish.
Robert Van Valzah was The next speaker, and
thanked the members for the unanimous re cleo
ton of himself and Mr.. Prather as trustees. He
regarded it as an unqualified Endorsement of the
manner in which they had handled the trust i'm
posed on them.
Mortimer Nye the newly elected grand mas
ter, thought they had talked long enough about
what had been done in the past, and that the
watchword of the future should be keep out of
debt" That was what he would advocate in the
next two years He thanked the members for
the honor conferred upon him, and would strive
to do his whole duty as grand master OF the
State of Indiana.
Nicholas r. Ruckle was next called for, and
spoke briefly of the assistance he had rendered
the Grand Lodge. as did also Mr.. j. w. Hess.
Byron K. Elliott was then introduced. He
said he hardly knew what to say. but confessed
that it was an occasion of solemnity to him. and
that the hearts of all Masons were full of glad
ness. He thanked God he was member of a
fraternity that gave so much to the world. and
rejoiced at the prosperity of the Grand Lodge
He closed by saying: with all my intellect
honor it; With ali my heart love it."
The last speaker Martin H. Rice, who
said he had listened with great pleasure to all
that had been said. They we're excellent
speeches, but if any one doubt AS to who
paid the debt he would produce the last check.
as it was in his possession.
AS number of the members had made en-
cagements for the evening, the meeting was
then dismissed, with everybody in the best of
spirits. The speeches were interspersed with
both vocal md instrumental music