Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-09-18
SOVEREIGN GRAND LODGE, |. O. o. f..
Seventeen Annual Session-Forinal Re
ception on Lookout Mountain.

Seventeen Annual Session-Formal Re
ception on Lookout Mountain.
LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, TENN. Sep
TENDER 17-The first business of the
seventeenth annual session of the Sove-
reign Grand Lodge, Independent Order
of Odd-Fellows. was transacted this morn
ing. Reception ceremonies were held in
the Convention Hall on Lookout Noun
tain. beginning at 9 o'clock. The large
hail was crowded with distinguished odd
Fellows, grand representatives, and citi-
Gems.
Mr.. II. Schwartz. Of Chattanooga, acted
as master Of ceremonies. and the OPEN
ing PRAYER was offered by Grand-Chapain
]. w. Venable, of Hopkinsvile. Ky. Gov
ernor Turney. on behalf OF the State of
Tennessee made an address of welcome,
which was Enthusiastically received.
George w. Ochs. Mayor OF Chattanooga,
welcomed the visitors on behalf of the
city W. A. Barry, of Nashville. well
coined the grand representatives on behalf
of the Grand Lodge Of Tennessee.
ter of the Grand Lodge of Ten
nessee. Still another address Of well
come was delivered by Charles F. Lands,
grand patriarch of the Grand Encamp-
ment of Tennessee. Hon. c. 7. Camp
hell Of London, Ontario, grand sire OF
the Sovereign Grand Lodge, responded TO
the addresses OF welcome on behalf of
the Grand Lodge.
Delightful music was feature OF the
occasion. The hall was tastefully deco
rated with eveI greens. flags, bunting,
and streamers. arranged in emblematic
designs
After the close OF the reception ceremo-
MES the members Of the Sovereign Grand
Lodge went into a business session TO
hear the reports of the standing commit
tees and officers of the past year and to
name other committees.
This afternoon majority Of the visi-
tors and delegates present, who number
something over thousand. are enjoying
a drive to the battlefield of Chicka-
manga, now national park
Tomorrow the grand parade occurs at
. o'clock in the afternoon. and the re-
union of past grand sires will follow in
the evening.
The report OF the Grand Treasurer as
submitted to-day. shows the assets of the
Sovereign Grand Lodge at present to be
s79.016.72.
The most important paper presented at
the meeting was a petition by Representa-
tive bikes of New York. touching the
status of aged members OF the order who
have been left out Of the Odd-Fellows
Home by reason Of their particular lodges
surrendering their charters. Legislation IS
asked by many to remedy such injustice.
and this question is one Of the most diff
cult which the Grand Lodge will have to
face. Upon motion Of Representative Car
lin, of Illinois. the report of the COM
mittees on Dues and Benefits, laid over
from last session. was made the special
order of business for Wednesday morn
Ing. The meeting then adjourned.
GRAND SECRETARY'S REPORT.
The Grand Secretary said that since the
last convention in the South. which was
held In Atlanta twenty years ago. the
membership In what is recognized polti-
caly as the Southern States has in
creased from GOO to 5000. and 10 the
people of the South Odd-Fellowship has
become an established institution. The
total membership of the order was now
10000. or, including the sisters OF the
Rebekah degree. $4,000. To this should
be added the membership In foreign juris-
dictions OF 1900 making combined
membership OF nine tenths OF a million
men and women. The net increase in
membership during the year had been
5000. This was less than the year pre-
vious. but this might be accounted for
in the United States by the season Of
financial stringency, that lessened the
resources Of the people.
In Canada. relatively more prosperous
country. and under its stable institutions
less liable 10 business fluctuations. the
order had made greater progress than in
any year OF its history. There had been
no diminution, however. In the work &C.
complished, and the expenditure OF three
and third millions OF dollars for purposes
OF relief was a sufficient evidence OF the
activity OF Odd-Fellowship.
The report deals at length with the
condition OF the order in foreign lands
and then goes on to say that peace and
harmony prevailed throughout the entire
jurisdiction. except In Kansas. where a
number Of lodges had invoked the aid
OF the courts against an assessment or
dered by the Grand Lodge for the sup
port OF home. This matter will be re-
ferred TO the body now In session for
final adjudication.
The military branch. known as the
Patriarchs Militant were reported as
being in a prosperous condition. Nume-
rous withersd branches had been Topped
of during the year. the forces generally
reorganixed, and eleven new cantons mus
tered into service.
The enthusiasm OF the Sisterhood Of
Rebekah has continued undated. the
membership increasing rapidly. The laws