The Helena independent., 1892-07-03
AFTERNOON SESSION.

Matters of Interest to the Order OF Odd
Fellows Discussed.
From two O'Clock until half past four in
the afternoon the Odd Fellows and DsuRh-
ters of Rebekah listened to papers of inter
est to the order. at meeting in the audi
torium. Past Grand Master Masssna
Bullard called the conclave to order. He
briefly sketched the incidents which led to
calling it. 1t was the twenty-ffth ami
versary OF Montana odRe, and 40 it WAS
also the same anniversary of the der in
this state. it was thought we'll to make the
celebration general. knowing that no much
good had ~ollowed its establishments. that
all members could look back on its history
with feelings of pride. Grand Master Phil
Dodson was called on to preside, and dur
committee went around to get the names OF
the members attending. The proceedings.
including the papers read, will be printed
for the benefit of members of the order.
W: J. Kennedy read paper on Care of
Our Sick.'' 1t was a question, he said,
twenty years ago when the father Of Odd
Fellowship passed away. At the best lodges
could give but small percentage of what
was needed. There should always bs money
in the beneficiary fund to promptly meet
these demands. Statistics showed that
the United States and that SO, ,OO, 900 was
expended for relief every year. He suR-
gested that certain portion, say 40 per
cent, of the initiatory fees, the fees for ad-
mission by cards, and the degree fees, be
merged into the fund for the relief of the
sick. When the fund grew larger than the
immediate needs the surplus should be in
vested in some safe way. He also believed
it would best subserve the objects of the
order, if fund be raised to employ oompe-
tent nurses. 1t could be done by ASSESS
ment.
DR.. W. M. Billiards. paper was on What
should be the minimum sick benetits2"
The benefits allowed ranged all the way
from one cent to So. At the minimum 81
cents year would scarcly pay the ply ISL
clan for six months service. Laughter.
The doctor spoke on the feature which re-
quires member to be sick for a week be-
fore he could obtain the benefits. He be-
lieved that when a man was sick he was
sick, and it did not take week TO find it
out. There was another feature to which
he alluded in an amusing way. He did not
see the justice in allowing third degree
member Sc week for q stomach ache, and
giving others from one cent to $3 for case
Of pneumonia. unless it was because in the
latter case a funeral and its attending ex-
penses could be reasonably expected. lie
advocated an amendment to the law so that
tho benefits would be uniform to all. Those
who did not need it could turn it back into
the treasury. Those who did need it needed
1t badly. Anyway the dollars spent were
we'll 81 ent The doctor also advocated
close scrutiny Of new membership, and re-
quire applicants to be in good health.
d.. l.. L. Holmes made An address on
"How many kunds should 4 lodge haver'
He said he had misunderstood the title of
thought it read. "How many friends should
lodge have3" Laughter. That was
something difficult to answer. As TO how
many funds there should be he thought one
enough. the general fund. Experience
showed that where there were special funds
and they became exhausted the general
fund was always called on.
Richard Jockey read a paper on How
shall we provide for our widows and Or
phsns?" He advocated grand lodges erect
ing homes for them. Ihev had this power,
but could not assess subordinate lodges for
the purpose. That was IA 1t should be. He
thought gooG home in central location
would be good thing, and perhaps aome
bachelor brother, when he died, would leave
all his wealth to it. not having availed him.
self of the opportunity OF leaving any
widows and orphans of his own. Such
home would be shelter for the widow un-
til she found some suitable employment
and for the children until they were able to
care for themselves.
Ed $. Booths paper on "Duties of the
Trial Committee" was an ably prepared
document. DR.. 9. X. Cole read paper on
"How Can Suspensions for Non-Payment
of Dues be Avoided?" Charles Stees, who
has been an Odd Fellow forty-three years.
spoke briefly on The Ballot-Its Use and
Abuse" in the lodge room. Mrs. A. Il.
Sherson, of tho Daughters of Rsbekah,
read an interesting raper entitled SHOULD
Unmarried Brothers ba Admitted to Mem
befship in tho Daughters or Rebekah."
She thought they should. F. Il. Strsnahan.
of California, made fine address on the
"Recsption Of Members." This closed tho
afternoon meeting.
PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT.