Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-08-23

Worth lodge, and any deficit that may arise
will be borne by the lodge. The grand
lodge has no expense except for fuel, If It
accepts the Fort Worth proposition.
The following letter from prominent
Mason in the Southeastern part OF the state
to Mason in this city, shows that Fort
Worth has strong friends in section of
country that would naturally be strongly
favorable to Houston 1t says:
Enclosed find clipping which explains
itself. You can see that they are very
much off when they say 5000 for rents,
etc. The reports published in the proceed
ings contradict IL. Then the grand lodge
pays city and state taxes, insurance, and so
on. and care of building, etc, which show
that we have to draw from the interior for
funds to pay current expenses. l under
stand that you propose TO furnish the oullo-
ing free. that is, no expense TO the grand
lodge at all Ii this is correct then all the
dues would go to the orphans home fund
and We could soon establish one.
You know the advantage of having the
grand lodge meet IL any city. 1t IS not
what the members spend. out the whole
revenue is discussed where the grand lodge
is located, which is some $4,000 per annum.
| estimate that the location of the grand
lodge is worth to any city annually $4,000
to $4,000 l give you this data though you
are as well posted as myself. You have d
fine field to get up good circular III
fact and to the interest of the craft at large.
Our lodge has not voted yet but think 1t
viii vote for your city. w"
Among the assertions contained in the
clipping referred to. aside from the rental
amounting to 5000 annually, is the asser-
ton that the removal would require l
change in the constitution, which would re-
quire twelve months more, an assertion
which is unqualifiedly false.
Another feature that IS operating strongly
in favor of u removal is the disposition
manifested by Houston people TO gouge the
grand lodge members. Houses that usually
charge 81 day for board, Invariably make
il 81 80 during grand lodge. Three-dollar-
a-day hotels charge 50 30, and other things
in proportion. In fact, they seem to regard
the visiting Masons as legitimate prey,
brought there for that purpose.
Again the development of Western Texas
has been such that Fort Worth is nearer
the Masonic center of the state than either
Houston, Galveston or Austin and there
fore more admirably located for 4 grand
lodge site. As long as the grand lodge
meets IN Fort Worth it will have handsome
modern quarters, fitted up in the latest and
best style, instead of an antlquated Old
building that costs more to keep in repair
than the revenue derived from 1t amounts
To- Abundant facilities for taking care of
the 1900 TO 1900 members will be provided
and special rates secured Tor each session
of the grand lodge The ca"ies for the dis
satisfaction with Houston will never be al
lowed in Fort Worth. Tie grand lodge
will find everything ready for its first ses-
sion in the Fort Worth Masonic temple III
December, 1892 Men who are members of
the Masonic order and especially of the
grand lodge are cullcd from the best people
in the state and from body of men that
any city may well honor. The following
special kilograms from GAZETTE CORES
pondeuts show how the tide is setting in Fort
Worth's favor: