The Daily Texarkanian., 1894-09-08
THE PYTHIAN RITUAL,
Can Only be Used in the English
Language-A Decisive Blow
to German Lodges

teresting news:
The much-mooted German ques-
ton was decided by the Supreme
Lodge of the Knights of Pythias
today by a decisive report against
the use of the ritual in other than
the English language. Two votes
were taken The first, on the sub
stitution of the minority report to
give the German lodges five years
of grace in which to adopt the En-
glish ritual, resulted "A to Al against
the minority report Then the ma
jority report was adopted by vote
of 70 to 36.
The gist of the majority report
is found in the following recon-
mendations;
That the Supreme Lodges re-
announce and re-affirm the declara-
ton made at the Kansas City ses-
sion, that henceforth and forever
more the ritual used in this and
other English-speaking nations
shall be printed in the English Ian
guage only, and that when the
standard of our order shall be
planted in any country speaking
another than the English language
the rituals therein shall be printed
and all concerns over which this
body has control shall be conducted
only in the language of such gov
eminent, to the end that it may be
known to all men and to all nations
that round our altar Pythian
Knights are taught as one of the
cardinal principles of our order UNI
dying loyalty and devotion to the
government to which they owe
their allegiance, whether it be the
land of their birth or the country
of their adoption.
1t also commended the Supreme
Chancellor for his action in uphold
ing the law in this matter, and was
signed by four members of the com
mittee, Stanton L. Carter, Thomas
S. Meares, L, p. Hunt and Aaron
Myers.
John H. Russee of Indiana was
the author of the minority report,
which recommended that lodges
which have remained loyal to the
Supreme Lodge and were working
with rituals in other than the En-
glish language when the last ritual
was promulgated be furnished with
rituals in the language they were
using for period of five years, af-
ter which they should surrender
them and use only the English.
Three hours of debate were al
lowed on the question The prin-
cipal speech for the minority was
made by Representative Feather
stone of Wisconsin and for the ma.
jority by Representative Carter of
California. 1t was argued against
the minority proposition that if
five years were granted the German
lodges they would apply for another
extension of time at the end of
that period, and the whole question
would have to be fought over.
Sitting in committee of the whole
the lodge has approved the unani-
nous report of the committee on
state of the order in recommending
that saloon keepers, bar tenders
and professional gamblers be de-
clared ineligible for membership,
but not affecting those who have
already become members.
The question has not been acted
upon by the Supreme Lodge, prop
err.
The same committee recommends
that the Supreme Lodge proclaim
against the name of Pythianism in
connection with side ranks.
A request has been telegraphed
to the Supreme Lodge to institute
a search for b. r. Franks OF Belle
Plains, Ia, who came to Washing
ton to attend the encampment and
has not returned to his home. His
friends wire that one of his children
is at the point of death.
LATER.
A later dispatch from Washing
ton, under date of the 18th inst,
gives the following interesting adj
Nitional news concerning the great
Pythian Sanitarium at Hot Springs,
Ark:
The Supreme Lodge of Knights
Of Pythias is nearing the close of
its session. A movement was start
ed today to erect a monument to
Maj. Rathbone, the founder of the
order, who is buried at Utica, N, Y.
Washington lodges will endeavor to
raise fund to purchase the hall
which was the birthplace of the