Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-09-04
THE SUPREME LODGE
Still Debating the New Code of Statutes
Today.
What the Washington Representatives
Say In Regard to the German
Question.

The session of the Supreme Lodge
knights OF Pythias. was continued this
fcrerocn. There was a full attendance Of
representatives. The business under con-
sideration was the same as that of yester-
day: the code of statutes which is proposed
by the constitutional commission.
This is being debated by paragraphs, and
the work of adoption win not be completed,
certainly today. and probably not for sew
eral days. This work will also be pursued
during the afternoon session. There is a
great deal of earnest discussion within the
precincts Of the Builders Exchange, but
very little speechn aking. There is a business
Ike interchange of ideas. The representa-
tives with whom The Star man talked said
that everything was progressing smoothly
and satisfactorily. The code of statutes as
recommended was sure OF adoption. There
was no wrangling. This would be postpon-
ed till the troublesome questions of the
German ritual and the admission of liquor
people were reached. Here the trouble
would begin and the dangerous parts in the
course Of the convention would be struck.
The German Question.
The representatives from the Grand Lodge
of the District of Columbia, knights of Ply
thias, TO the Supreme Lodge. are opposed to
the stand taken by Supreme Chancellor
Blackwell on the German question. This
question is so well understood that a re-
statement Of it now would be unnecessary.
Messrs. Richard Goodhart and A. F. Med
ford think that the German lodges already
organized, and which were chartered with
the German ritual, should be permitted tc
Use IL. Twenty years ago, when the Knights
Of Pythias was a comparatively frail or
der. bid vas made to the Germans. They
came to the rescue and helped make the
great order what 1t now is. They were
~-txxt<e
In their own language. There are. COM
paratfvely speaking. but few Of these
lodges now in existence. At the convention
at Kansas City the use Of the ritual In any
other language than English was forbidden.
This. 1t is alleged, was q direct attack on
the German lodges. and the friends Of these
lodges declare that IL was done in a spirit
OF the rankest ingratltude. The Germans
came to the order when IL vas weak. Now
that H. is strong. the friends who had stood
by it in its infancy and weakness were to
be thrown over simply because of q purely
sentimental objection to them using their
natal language. 1t was all wrong. Messrs.
Goodhart and Medford will fight the su-
p-eme chancellor and his following on this
matter bitterly. They will have much as
sistance. which, in the early part Of the
campaign. 1t was not thought they would
have. Discussion of the question will add
strength to the Germans.
The resolution that the ritual should be
printed only In English it is claimed by some.
was put through at Kansas City Dy sharp
parliamentary practice.
The Star man has also talked with Su-
preme Representative Race of Illinois. and
this gentleman, though not a German. and
who is a believer in the highest principles of
American citizenship, will make desperate
fight against the supreme chancellor and
his anti-German sentiments. A warm time
is sure to ensue. The anti-Gefman element
claims to be able to force the German lodges
either to use the English ritual or to leave
the order.
The Memorial Services.
Services in memory Of the late Past Su-
preme Chancellor Shaw were held yester-
Gay afternoon by the Supreme Lodge.
Knights of Pythias. Builders Exchange
Hall was well filled by the representatives
and their ladies. The usual affectionate
and emotional eulogies peculiar to such oc-
casions were delivered by the following
named gentlemen:
Philip t. Colgrove of Michigan, Stanton
L. Carter OF California, Thomas G. Sample
Of Pennsylvania, NJ. L. Stevens of Maine,
Gen. Canahan, DIR. John S. King of On
tario, I. ID. Mears of North Carolina, Chas.
A. Lee Of Rhode Island, Albert Steinhart of
Alabama, Gen. L. f. Durand Of Connecti-
cut, +. NJ. Burroughs Of Illinois. Gen. W. L.
Haskell Of Indiana, Past Supreme Chan
cellor Berry of Illinois. John A. Hinsey,
president Of the board of control; A. B.
GARDENER Of New York and Supreme Chan
cellor Blackwell