Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-09-22
KNIGHTS TEMPLARS.
THE THrRrY.rrRsr TRrEENrAL CON.
CLAvR AT ST. LOUIS.
A Steady Rain Causes the Abandonment
Of the Grand Parade-A Sad Disap-
pointment-Meeting Of the
Grand Conclave.
IBy telegraph to the Dispatch


twenty-,hird triennial conclave Of
Knights Templars of America. The
city, its businessmen, and private citi'
ztns, have We'd with each other IN
decorating their buildings and resi-
dences, and the result was most plea
sing. Along the line Of march which
the parade would have taken the fronts
Of business and municipal building
are hidden with their decorations OF
flags bearing appropriate Inscriptions,
emblems, and notices, aud various col
ored bunting draped in graceful man-
Der. The most SNOWY decorations are
those about and upon the courthouse.
When the Knights Templars awoke this
morning the clear sky Of last evening
had become overcast with dark clouds,
and a damp northeast wiHd was blow
ing. At o'clock cold, steady rain
set in, and the parade would have had
TO march through the mud had not the
streets along which the parade passes
been thoroughly swept and cleaned
this morning. AS early as $50
A. NJ. squads, companies, and
Communicates, many Of them accom-
panied by bands Of music, could have
been seen hurriedly marching to their
rendezvous. Those who started thither
early in the morning were more fortunate
than their tardy brethren who at $50
were proceeding to their appointed
places with dropping plumes and drip
ping uniforms. The early morning
uains were all on time and deposited
many Communicates who have come to
the conclave from points near St. Louis,
and they proceeded Immediately to their
positions.
At half.psst 8 o'clock the first gun
directing the communicates to form was
fred, and the streets leading into the
main thoroughfare were alive with
Knights who were to participate in the
parade, hurrying to their positions, and
soon afterwards were all ready to join
their divisions. AS time passed on the
rain fell heavier and heavier until the
streets became sopping wet.
At Q o'clock the prospects for clear
ing up were not at all bright, and few
minutes later j. r. Parsons, COM
mander in chief of the commanderles,
issued an order abandoning the parade.
The disappointment was undesirable
in every quarter. A mere postpone
ment would not suffice, as the rules Of
order permit the parade only as escort
to the Grand Encampment.
"As that body must meet at the ap-
pointed time, rain absolutely prevents
a parade at this conclaye," said Com
mander. in Chief Parsons. 1.-The dissp-
pointment is greater than can express.
The arrangements were perfect to the
minutest details. We had impressed
into our services for the occasion the
very best military talent in this section,
and were assured Of something over
10000 men in line at the strike Of the
appointed hour, and, had the state OF
the weather permitted, the parade
would have been the finest ever known.
As it was, however, nothing was left
but to abandon it, and thus cut out one
of the most prominent public features
Of the conclaye." To tens OF thou
sands Of spectators, who had begun to
crowd the streets along the proposed
route of the procession, the disappoint-
ment was almost as great as to the
Knights themselves.
The Grand Encampment began its
session at 1890 o'clock, being presided
over by Sir knight Charles Roome, Of
New York city, in the absence OF Sir
Knight Robert Enoch Withers, who
was i'll. In opening the public meet
ing Mayor David r. Francis delivered
an address of welcome on behalf Of the
city, which was responded to by Depu-
Ey- Grandchildren ROome.
On behalf Of Missouri Grand Com
rnsndery, on address Of welcome was
presented by Sir knight Joseph S.
Brown, Grand Commander, and also
briefly responded to by Deputy-Grand-
Master Roome.
At tho conclusion Of these prelimina-
RES, at o'clock, the Encampment went
into secret session to listen to addresses
and reports of officers.
In the executive session the first
business was the reading Of the report
Of Grand-Master Withers. The coun-
try is congratulated on the completion
of the Washington monument, while
the fact is deplored that SO few con-
tributions have been received for the
monument to Garfield. The report
closes with a general felicitation on the
progress Of the order.
General Roome, Of New York, depu-
ty and acting grand master, submitted
report of his stewardship, extending
from May u, 1885, to. the present
time. General Roome noted the death
of twenty-four members of the Grand
Encampment since the last meeting,
and the erection of eleven new COM
manderies.
The report of the grand recorder,
which is very voluminous, was also
presented.
The grand treasurer, John Simmons,
Of New York, submitted report for
the years 1883 to 1886, in connection
with the grand recorders report. The
receipts were $40, 36l I; disbursements,
$9,557. Therevenues of the Grand En-
campment have been steadily increas-
ing.
1t was decided after to-day to hold
two sessions daily. Committees were
appointed on unfinished business, on
doings of grand officers, on finance, on
dispensations and new communicates, on
credentials, on grievances and appeals,
on templar jurisprudence, and on loca.
ton of the next cOnclaye.
Adjourned.
This afternoon it was determined to
give grand parade Thursday morning,
starting at ii o'clock and following the
general order prescribed for the parade
to-day.
The committees of the Grand En-
csmpment are holding meetings to-
night, but none Of the proceedings have
so far been given out.
n ,,,orrn,r will ba IN ;nfaraef;po Jav