Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-04-18
THE SEVEN WISE MEN
THE HEPrAs0PHs HAvE A BUSY DAY
AsD MIGHT sEssIoE.
Resolutions OF Bespeet-Qgsstion Of Repre-
sentation Discussed at Length
After Subordinate officers


Yesterday was a busy day with 4" The
Seven Wise Men," or the Heptasophs, as
they are more generally known.
II was the second day OF their ninth regu-
lar meeting, and many matters Of importance
to the order were brought TO the attention
Of the delegates.
The attendance was much larger than on
the opening dsy, and when the full quota OF
representatives TO the Supreme ConclaVe
were in their seats in the old blliard-hsll OF
the Ballard House the body presented very
striking appearance.
The delegates are mostly from the north
ern States and represent nearly every pro-
fession snd branch Of business. aud IN the
number are many men OF means and iD1u-
ence in their respective vocations. There
are great many lawyers present, and some
OF them men Of acknowledged ability.
There were two sessions OF the conclave
yesterday. One lasted from 10 A. NJ. until
several hours after noon, and the other was
from s TO 1910 =. NJ. Most OF this time was
taken up IN The discussion and consideration
Of routine matters Of importance to the
order, but OF little or no public interest.
Some OF the committees held meetings after
adjournment last night and spent several
hours at work on the various subjects re-
ierred to them.
THE RULES.
Under the rules governing the proceed
ings OF the supreme body 1t is provided that
no proposition shall be taken up for discus
sion when first introduced unless 1t be
measure brought forward by committee.
The mode OF procedure il after this order
A member presents q resolution, amend
ment to the rules or other paper, and 1t Is
read and referred to the Committee on Laws,
unless there is some more appropriate COM
mittee by which II should be considered,
and it has TO he reported back before there
can be any discussion whatever.
TUE SUBORDINATE OFFICERS.
The majority Of the measures introduced
Yesterday were Ia the nature OF amendments
to the laws OF the conclaye, and several Of
them were offered with tae view OF making
the requirements more string gent on subor-
dinate officers. The complaint Is that some
OF the officers OF the local conclayes are not
as particular as they should be in matters
pertaining TO the affairs and accounts OF the
order, and the design OF the supreme body
is TO make the regulations 80 binding that
the reports from the local branches will he
in strict conformity TO the regu alton form.
As Supreme.Archen VIII put II, ave
want everything done up in the most bust
ness-hke manner, and we wish our accounts
and records Kept with the same accuracy as
those OF railroad or other corporation.
Then we can always know exactly how each
conclave stands"
RESOLUTIONS or RESPECT.
Soon after the meeting was called 10 order
yesterday morning the committee appointed
the previous evening TO prepare suitable
resolutions relative TO the death few months
ago OF one Of the supreme officers, James A.
Haight, Of Homer Conclave, No. II, Of Glas-
Cow, n. j., presented their report and 1t
was unanimously adopted after several
speeches bad been made. in which the de-
ceased was highly eulogized.
BASIS OF REPRESENTATION.
The question that engaged most attention
yesterday was that Of representation. 1t was
discussed for several hours at both the morn
ing and night session aud has not yet been
finally disposed OF. The paper bearing on
this subject was finally TecOmmitted, and
when the committee reports to day another
heated discussion will perhaps ensue. This
is perhaps the most important question that
will receive attention at the hands OF the body.
the order than any other action that Is likely
to be taken at this session. This matter will
affect not only the financial condition but
the general welfare OF the brotherhood and
for this reason the leading lights are giving
the subject very mature and careful atten-
tion.
WHAT IS PROPOSED.
Soon after the conclave met on Tuesday
hrnsahaA aud Mararq
Jonn w. Cruett, OF Baltimore; Il. +. James,
OF Wilmington, Del; s. A. Duncan, OF Pitts
burgh; Joseph Langford, OF Pittsburgh, and
John w. M0wen. Of Brooklyn, were appoint
ed q special committee TO take it under cons
sideration. Yesterday morning the COM
mttee made an elaborate report, recon-
mending that where practicable the local
cOnclayes be formed into districts; that on
day 10 be fixed by the supreme body the
local cOnclaves hold meetings and elect dele.
gates to the District Conference, the time for
which is also to be designated beforehand
by the supreme body; that this conference
elect deputy supreme archon and an alter
nate; that the deputy, or in his absence the
alternate, shall be member Of the Supreme
ConclaVe, and il shall be his duty 20 visit
the local divisions I'm his district at least so
many times each year 10 install the officers
elected and to keep general watch
and supervision over the branches in
his territory; that in addition to this
deputy beng a member OF the Supreme
Concave, representing all OF the branches
In his district, each branch shall II it
chooses have authority TO elect 8 representa-
tive TO the biennial meetings, whose ex-
penses shall be borne by the local organlza-
ton. The expenses Of the district repre-
sentative will be borne by the Supreme
Conclave.
1t is believed that a plan somewhat after
this order will be adopted, as II will both
give every local conclaye representation in
the supreme body and at the same time reduce
the size as we'll as expense OF the supreme
hodv