Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1894-06-30
TO UNITY ALL OF THE COLORED
KNIGHTS OF PYTBIAS UNDER
ONE HEAD.
Can They Succeed IA Monumental
Task Ahead.

OFFICE OF THE PROVISIONAL COM
nTTEE, K. OF p.
2733 Dearborn St, Chicago, Ill.
Jurisdiction N. & S. A. +. A. & A.
To whom 1t may concern,
Greeting
Probably no one thing so initiates
against the order of the knights of
Pythias as the many different au-
thorities under which the organiza
ton is now working.
There exists the Eastern and Wes-
tern Hemisphere Knights of Py thias
this Colored Knights of Pythias of
the World, and the two factions of
N. & s. A, 4. A. & A. Each faction
lay claims to be the lawful represe1-
tatives of the order, and all others
are In rebellion against It's legiti-
mate authority.
Now, the order is immeasurably
greater than any individual connect
ed with 1t. Its ideals are too high ::
It's benehciaries too grand, and it's
future too promising to longer exist
In 80 disorganized state.
In every large city In the Union ex-
list Lodges which are doing splendid
work and achieving grand results.
Along side OF them exist otL or lodg-
es weak and unstable who claim allie
gience to some other jurisdiction.
The grave question of endowment
and benefits are constantly arising
only to widen the breach and make
more certain the destruction of the
Order.
The splendid material now In the
Subordinate Lodges and the loyal
Knights who pay their dues and as
sessments, are entitled to more con-
siderate treatment.
The causes which have brought
about this state of affairs are well
known to all members of the Order.
The undersigned are fully persuad.
ed that these discordant elements in
the Order can be harmonized. To
this end they suggest that COnven.
tion of Subordinate Lodges, com
posed OF one delegate from each, and
three delegates from each Grand
Lodge, respectively, to be called to
meet at Indianapolis on Monday,
the Goth day of August, A. ID.
1894, to confer together concerning
the good of the Order; to try to de-
wise some plan upon which the entire
Order OF Knights of Pythias may be-
come united under one flag. Should
your Lodge consider favOrably this
place, please have the same made oil
record In your Lodge fill and re-
turn under the Seal of your lodge the
enclosed blank and mail to the Score.
tary of the Provisional Committee
Immediately. If a majority of the
active lodges consent, the call Will be
made. Let it be remembered.
LIST That this is not Supreme
Lodge being called, it means repre-
sentatives of Subordinate Lodges
which create the Grand and Supreme
Lodges.
End THAT no delegate to this
Convention can name his own proxy
but the Lodge must name delegate
or alternate who can and will at
tend.
3rd That each delegate must be
a member In good standing in bis
Lodge, and his credentials must be
attested by the proper officers of the
Lodge and the Seal affixed.
4th: The conclusions of this Con-
vention con be submitted to the ex-
listing Supreme Bodies as the earnest
opinions of the rank and file of the
Order.
Ii the work of this Convention is
intelligently done 1t will command
the respect and good intentions OF
all concerned. Personal ambitions
from whatever source, must stand
aside where the interest of the Or
der are at stake.
Fraternally submitted,
REv. J. M. TowNsEND,l
r. s. BRYAN,
r. r. JACKSON, Com
/. E. JONES,
L. G. WHEELER, Sec'y.