Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-27

great Pythian encampment week is at hand
and every train is bringing the city's
guests. it is Interesting to- look back over
the work of preparation and see who have
mad to discharge the onerous tasks that
pubhe-spirited citizens have to assume on
such occasions.
The story of the selection OF Washington
as the city in which to hold the biennial
meeting of the Supreme Lodge and the en-
campment Of the Uniform Rank knights
OF Pythias. is Interesting. 1t is full of
struggle, strife and diplomacy. Washington
Won in the face of many discouraging fea-
lures.
Washington Is the birthplace of the order.
which was conceived here in 1864 1t is
also the birthplace OF the Supreme Lodge,
tnat having been organized here in 1868.
In the interim between the organization of
the order and that Of the Supreme Lodge
the Grand Lodge of the District of Column
pia performed the duties of provisional
supreme Lodge. Because of all this, it had
been long the dream of the knights of
Pythias Of this jurisdiction to have the
supreme Lodge hold it's convention here
ana also to extend welcome to the Uni
FORM Rank. Instituted subsequently to the
organization Of the Supreme Lodge, to hold
It's encampment here in connection with the
convention of the Supreme Lodge. The
Uniform Rank had grown rapidly in favor
here, and many hundreds of knights having
graduated from the subordinate lodges
took this higher degree. with the result that
number of well-disciplined divisions were
formed and organized first as battalion
and later as regiment. At each meeting
OF the Supreme Lodge and of the Uniform
Rank, held every two years, in various
cities, the proposition to invite the sessions
here was preached and discussed.
The representatives to the Supreme Lodge
from this jurisdiction never, however saw
their way clear in this matter, and never
pressed their views upon that body with
anything like the vigor essential to sue
Cess
In the spring OF 1892 it began to look as
though this Jurisdiction would make a stub
horn fight to the end that Washington, the
mother city of the great order of the lily,
should be chosen as the next camping
ground and council city. With this aim
there was held a rather informal meeting Of
some Of the most progressive Pythians of
the District, and the matter of inviting the
Supreme Lodge and the Uniform Rank to
the District in 1891 was taken under serious
consideration. At a second meeting of this
kind held in the summer of 1892, Ii was re-
solved to report to the Grand Lodge Of the
District, that that body might indorse the
Lodge met and appointed a special commit
tee, consisting of Richard Goodhart chair
man, G. W. Heisley, w. I. Mockabee, A. F.
Medford and j. B. Conner, to confer with
the board of trade, and sound that institu-
ton as to it's feeling in the matter. The
committee had conferences with several of
the leading board of tradesnen and they
seemed to view the proposition with especial
favor, and agreed to call meeting of the
board Of trade.
The special committee reported this action
to the Grand Lodge. The board of trade ap-
proved the effort, and at their regular meet
ing resolved. it is said to extend an invita-
ton to the Supreme Lodge. Knights of Py-
thias OF the World to hold it's next BIZ
ennial session at Washington. The action
OF the board Of trade was brought before
the Commissioners Of the District of CO.
lumbia, and they approved of the PROPOSE
ton At adjourned session of the Grand
Lodge the special committee indicated made
It's report Late In August, 1892 and after
the acceptance of the report. the committee
was discharged.
The Grand Lodge instructed its repre-
Eentatives to the Supreme Lodge, Messrs
Richard Goodhart and A. F. Medford, to
present the matter to the Supreme Lodge
at its session at Kansas City in 1892 Pre-
e vloUs to the assembling of the Supreme
Lodge the District delegates did strong and
valuable campaign work They held COM
nunion with hosts of Pythians and always
presented the claims of Washington In
glowing cOlors and eloquent words. They
dwelt upon the weil-known facts that Wash
ington was the birthplace Of the order that
II was the seat of government; that untold
advantage would result to the order from
great convention in this city. They told Of
the beauties of the political metropolis of
the western world Of it's advantages for
parade purposes over every other city in the
country. But notwithstanding all the po-
tent arguments which were brought to
bear on the Supreme Lodge, 1t looked very
much as though Louisville had the call.
She was certainly making the highest bid
for the honor of entertaining the knights.
In addition to the influence brought to bear
by her representatives committee of the
leading citizens of Louisville opened head
quarters in Kansas City. There were fifty
of these gentlemen, and every one of them
was a hustler. They kept open house and
made matters especially pleasant for all
who called. They dispensed Kentucky hos
pitality by the jug full. They INDUCED in
all kinds of persuasiveness. They pictured
the mighty enthusiasm with which the
kr lights would be received should they go to
Louisville. All this had its effect still the
District representatives did not despair.
They fought with a yalor worthy OF their
cause The Supreme Lodge appointed a
special committee of seven to decide upon
the place for holding the next session. Most
OF the committee We're partisans OF LOUIS
Vile II was q kentucky victory. After an
appropriate time had elapsed in which 1t
was ALLEGED that the committee had given
the subject for which it was appointed care
ful and considerate attention, II made its
report to the Supreme Lodge. The commit
tee reported unanimously in favor of Louis
Vile Cheers raised the roof
After the verdict had been announced
and before the convention had time 10 &C
cept the report Mr.. Richard Goodhart arose
and moved to substitute the word washing
ton for that OF Louisville. Then he began
n sDeach in behalf Of the city of asphalt
and marble. 1t was eloquent oratlOn
Other Washington men were aroussd 70
enthusiasm by the master stroke or MT.
C00dhart. and 9Ir. Nedford began to dip IN
his oar. Matters began to take on dli-
ferant complexion. The thing was chahg,
ing Cries Of question rent the air, ana
the motion was put to a vote. The result
was that washington won by a majority OF
TX in a total vote of 40, thus setting aside