Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-08-29
GERMAN AMONG THE PYTHIANs
S"""ceiof biackweil's Views Of the Mat
ser-Caiis 1t Treason,

.
ssr-Calis 1t Treason.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 29.-Whateyer NAV
oe 'he position taken by the supreme
iodge, knights of Pythias-which has be-
gun It's session-on the question of par-
mltting the ritual OF the order to be said in
aioreign language in this countrySuprsme
chancellor Blackwell has taken his and If
Is distinctly and vigorously aga inst the
permission. He also charges those who
nave been using the foreign transl alton
" the ritual with treason to the order and
violation of their obligations. That is
what he said in his opening address. I'm
uer 'ne head OF the German Question"
saiu che supreme chancellor, lit becomes
my duty to record list of facts. n series
Vi acts ana on experience in an attempt
10 handle an element in our mem
bership whose chief delight seems to have
rested in the desire to stir up as mucb dis.
cord. confusion and disloyalty as possi.
ble." f0'''
lie gave the history of the dispute and
SAID that in spite of refnsals to permit the
foreign ritual certain German lodges had
translated the ritual into their language
anu were using 1t in violation of their
ooiigations and in defiance of all law and
regulations. He called attention to the
letter head of the national convention
OF THESE Germans showing that three of
the prominent committeemen-Charle 7.
l.oebn, Henry Weilenvoss and Fred
buchanan Were members OF this sIDrema
iodSe-one Is past supreme representa-
tive-and they have taken all the manv
sacred and solemn obligations in our or
DER. 1 charge each with having aided.
apetted and, by their conduct and
presence OF having encouraged the Ger
man insubordinates TO greater acts of
uisioyaity, ana in so doing of having vio-
lated every principle of honor in con-
nection with these higher obligations,
thereby proving themselves totally un-
worthy OF the high honors heretofore con
ferred."
He asked that steps be taken at once
looking to their expulsion or suspension.
On the subject OF saiooukeepers the chan
ce!!or was equally direct. He favored a
declaration that no saloonheeper should
be eligible TO membership.
Ihe financial reports We're entirely sat
is'actory. showing that there was in the
treasures of the grand lodges nearly Sl9l,-
OO and III those OF the subordinate lodges
81, So i43.as. The Uniform Rank reported
"a healthy but not phenomenal growth
The PytEian Sisterhood organization
held business meeting at the Grand
Army hall. There were several excursions
aud concert by the National Marine
band.
The feature of the Pythian ampmen3
was the grand parade of the u inform Rank
IN the afternoon. Fifteen thousand
knights were i'll line. marching by state
brigades, and the procession was more
than two hours passing the presidential
reviewing stand. Pennsylvania avenue
was crowded with more than 100. 900 peo-
pie large proportion OF them visitors
from out of the city. The president re-
viewed the procession from a small stand
erected on the curbinS just in front of the
Nhite. -liouss, and his -appesraacs. sxas
greeted with cheers by n crowd of several
thousand people assembled about the en-
trance to the White House