Morning journal and courier., 1893-07-27
THE FKATERNAL SOCIETIES.
The i. o. o. #. Grand Lodges Annual
Session-The Massachusetts Grand

THE FKATERNAL SOCIETIES. l.
The 1. O. o. f. Grand Lodges Annual
Session-The Massachusetts Grand
Lodge-K. Of P.-Royal Arcanum.
The annual session of the sovereign
grand lodge of the !. o. O. F. will be held |
at Milwaukee, Wis, beginning on the third |
Monday in September. Much important |
legislation is expected to result from the |
session, as eighty matters are to be con-
sidered. Among the more important is
the final disposal of the military branch of
the order, the Patriarchs Militant. For
several years this has been deemed by some
q source Of weakness to the order rather
than the strength that was expected when
it was established, and which seemed to
be promised by the first success of the or
Ranization. It was thought by many and
openly claimed that the cause of it's prao-
tical decline was owing to the arbitrary
management to military affairs by It's head,
General Underwood. So great became the
dissatisfaction that the sovereign grand
lodge took cognizance of it, and at the last
session a law was passed terminating the
present control at the expiration of Gener-
al Underwood's term, with this years ses-
sion OF the sovereign grand lodge.
The same law required that hereafter the
cantons should be placed under the control
Of the grand encampments of their several
states. As the time draws near for this to
go into effect there becomes evident de-
sire that some other way should be devised,
many of the chevaliers advocating a sepa-
rate organization similar to the grand
lodges and encsmpments, with direct rep
resentation in the sovereign grand lodge.
To many it seems desirable to cater to the
military element among the younger mem
bers of the order, who are interested in
parades, excursions and displays of a
semi military character. Its ritual, which
was written by Post Grand Repre-
shire, ia one of great beauty, and affords
any fraternal organization. The best
friends of the militant degree hope to see
it revived under more popular manage
ment, and become the success 1t deserves
| to be, but recognize the fact that upon
| the legislation of the approaching session
| depends its success or failure.
The grand lodge of Massachusetts, will
hold it's annual session at Odd Fellows'
hall, Boston, Thursday, August 10, open
Il luH dt o y C1OSh d. LA. ouC6IS dI6 w no
/ elected at this session, though 1t is not an
| tioIpated that there will bs any contest,
| except for grand warden. Those who
have been mentioned for the place are:
Hon. Charles A. Russell, who secured the
second highest vote last year, and Austin
S. Esty of Somerville, the present grand
marshal.
The standing of the leading grand juris-
| dictions, according to the latest report, is
/ as follows: Pennsylvania. 40, mem
bers; Ohio, 80, 1928; Indiana, 27,196; ILL
nois, 22,1s3; New York, 1876; Iowa,
| 49, 43; Missouri, 1851; Kansas, 11,754;
New Jersey, II ,741; California, 1926.
Pythian week at the worlds fair will
commence August 6, and Pythian day will
| be August 8, when great demonstration
will be made by the uniform rank.
ROYAL ARcANUM.
One assessment has been levied for Au-
| gust. The death list contains 1OS names,
of which fourteen were from Massachu-
eetts and thirty two were from New York.
The cash balance in the WOB fund June
30 was $500, O33 49, The statement of as
sets and liabilities partly estimated show
assets of $641 ,033. 95 and liabilities Of $780,.
600, an excess of assets estimated at 1885,
O35. O5: The membership of the order Ii
now IA, 1862 in 1881 councils.
Special circular 151 from the supreme
council notifies subordinate councils an6
members that no dispensation will be
granted legaiizing the admission of mem
Der when more than sixty days have elaps
ed from the date of approval of his medi
cal examination. Instituting officers, re
gents and secretaries are specially charged
to see that the above rule is compiled with
and If sixty days have elapsed there mus
be new medical examination and super
vision.
The question OF the payment of assess
ments from council loan funds Ia tn
subject of special circular 152. All coun
oils must file copies of their bylaws ane
also copies of standing resolutions relst
ing to loans with the supreme secretary o,
or before October /. It is desired to secur
uniformity in loan fund laws, and to pro
tect from possible litigation.
A. o. F.
The supreme lodge, A. o. F. of A., viii
meet in this city September 10. The day
previous all the supreme officers and dele
gates will take sail on the steamer Sun
shine to Pleasure Beach. The New Haver
| lodEes Will join In the entertainment OF TIT
/ supreme officers.
AGOOD SHOWING.
| According to the last report, Connection
had IA 81 Odd Fellows, which is a showing
unsurpassed by any state in the Union IL
proportion to population.
OFF FOR THE WORLDS FAIR.
James NJ. Brown, president of the Scot
fish society of Stamford, left yesterda,
for trip to Chicago. He will take in al
the wonders of the fair-or as many 0
them as he can see N short visit. H
will also represent the Stamford Scottish
society at the largest gathering of Scotia
bonny sons ever held on this continent
and when he returns he will be able to en-
terrain his brother Scots in Stamford witt
an interesting account Of his trip.