Telegram-herald., 1891-12-02
ORDER OUT Or CHAOS
The Masonic Benefit Association ol
Michigan still Lives
n WILL RE-OaGlsIzG JlyulRf
Tns Prspssitssa sf the Nsw York Com
pssy Rejected Aad . Ssw fiaa uiaa
Sssdxa Asssssnsss win
De Adopted

A large delegation OF MAsons fro m
every part of the state WAS in the city
oil day yesterday, and the delegates
we're in . Wild state of excitement.
The object OF their visit Was t. repre-
sent the members of the Masonic Ma-
tual Benefit association of Western
Michigan IN their respective homes.
and they come armed with proxies TO
protest. sgAlnst and vote down any mea-
sures BY which the ASSOCIATION M ght
iose It's identity and become . part OF
another or anlzatlon OF itself unma-
sonic- They were practically uuani-
nous in the opinion that the trustees
and board OF managers had been Ill
advised IN any attempt to negotiate
with an outside concern. before
conferring with the membership At
large and laying the matter before
them. The trustees held q meeting in
the once over the Fomtl national
bank IN the forenoon and discussed the
situation. IL Was . foregons conciu-
sion that the measure proposed would
bring . whirlwind of criticism about
the head of tae managers. 90 Trustee
James N. DAVIS submitted . plan for
reorganization OF the old company
upon the graded assessment plaa. He
said that such plan would DO the only
salvation OF the company. II was
agreed that the plan should be laid be
fUrs The meeting in the afternoon.
Packed the Hall.
"A 81 - k.f
until Il was packed and the buzzing was
Ike that or q swarm of bees. Prssid ent
VIM. p. Innes called the meeting To
order and Captain Vim. A. Gayett was
called 10 preside IN the char. The
Hon. Go. A. Farr of Grand Haven,
and DIR. l.. A. Rogers of this city. were
appointed secre;arles, Secretary +. u.
Benedict beng detained at home BY
serious illness. The purpose of thu
meeting WAS briefly stated by the chair
man. There was prolonged discussion
I over the use of proxies, but that matter
J Was finally settled. General INNS then
aro.e and said that MIR. Ludwig, repre-
sentative of the Mutual Reserve Fund
Life association of New York, was pres
ent. He asked that he be invited TO the
platform. When put to vote the
proportion Was greeted with .
roar Of Nos. that would have
frightened anyone out of his boots,
but IN insurance man. The general was
indignant. He waved his arms wildly
and said the action was an insult ami
hs Was surprised to see the Masons
OF Michigan treat . stranger with such
discourtesy. Are you afraid of this
gentleman he asked. 'Are you
afraid to ask any questions about his
company Dwight Goss called the
general to order and he subsided.
Judge John w. NcGrath. OF Detroit,
said that the compaEy's representive
should not be heard until action was
taken by the association on the qces-
ton Of surrendering its charter. When
that WAS decided upon IL Was time
enough to hear from some other organ
ization, and 10 could come in and carry
away the corpee. Personally he was
opposed 10 giving up the lite OF the
association, and rather than see II die
he would pay double assessments. His
remarks were greeted with cheers and
Jackson Coon, of Rockford, warmly
supported him. DIR. Campbell Far
called him 10 order and then the Hon.
George A. Fsrr moved TO reconsider
the vote by which Mr.. Ludwig was
denied hearing.
Ludwix Given . Hearisg.
The vote ca RED this time ard Gen.
eral Innes walked down the hall, took
Ar. Ludwig by the arm ard escorted
him up To the platform. The General
alluded TO the talk he had heard on the
street aud appeared thoroughly worked
up over the situstion. When Mr.. Lud-
wig reached the platform the General
said "Geutiemen, introduce this
awful creature, Mr.. Ludwig. He \
sixteen feet high in his stockings, and
can assure you that he knows how Ia
act like . gentleman" The remarks
were greeted with dssapproval by some
in the audience and MIR. Ludwig was
greatly embarrassed. He Immediately
withdrew the proposition Of his com
pany. and said that had he known the
sentiments of the members of the Ma
sonic Mutual ne would never have pre-
sented II. Then an effort was made
toward reorganization. Motions and
resolutions were presented, but Gil
without avail until A. K. Avery of
Port Huron presented the following:
Resolved, That il - the desire Of this
meeting that thIs association continue
10 do business upon its own behalf.
and to that end that . special meeting
of the members be held on the 9Th day
of January next, at o'clock p. M. at
Grand Rapids, MIeh., to consider and
decide upon . pan Of operation, and
to make such ensnges in our articles of
association and bylaws - may be
found necessary. and that . committee
of five brothers be appointed to act
with the board and report At such meet
ins such measures as they may deem
wise.
n Committee Appointed
The above resolution was adopted
and the chair named the fol-
lowing eomittee, pursuant 10 nomi-
nations made from the floor:
A. u. Avery. Port Huron; Hon. J. w.
MctSTsth. Detroit; :. II. Stevens, Nus
kexon; J.. J. Van Rper, Niles; Geo. A.
BAR, Grand Haven.
Dr. Campbell Fair submitted . feso-
luton Of sympathy 20 E. n. BENEDICT,
who vas too il % be present at the
meeting. sad L vas adopted.
The meeting tnen adjourned until