The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-02-12

Increase in mem bership. In the Supreme
Domain the increase In Nom bership is
considerable, but less than eyious years.
In our own Domain the membership at
the present time is about the same as a
year ago.
Sat nealy all OF the official visits we were
greeted by the largest attendance ever
known at the annual visits OF the board
OF grand officers. On several OF these
occasions the II. 1. Regiment, U. II. X. of
p, or part of 1t, made a street parade
and escorted the grand officers to the
lodge. The enthusiasm shown all
through my term of office has been some-
thing wonderful, and shows we'll for the
interest of the members OF the lodges and
for the popularity OF these visits"
The grand chancellor's report contained
the dispensations granted and those re-
fused; also the official decisions made,
the visits to other grand jurisdictions and
the official business transacted, including
permission to the several lodges TO do
certain things OF particular Importance
to them; dedication OF halls and installa-
tion OF officers.
He also referred to the consolidation OF
Rathbone andiMyrtlellodges and the visits
70 several lodges by invitation and TO the
Important part the uniform rank takes in
the order and the courtesy and assistance
rendered him by that branch Of the order.
Hs also had something to say regarding
the German members OF the order and the
Roman Catholic question, the district sys-
tenn, the endowment rank, the executive
board and the supreme statutes.
"Prior TO the meeting OF the Supreme
Lodge of Kansas City, there was
s.l.
listed many years, differed by and
under the control of the Grand
Lodge. At one time it contained
over 600 members. Thousands of dollars
were distributed 10 its sick, aud 1t was
considered one OF the best features OF the
order in this Domain. Legislation at that
session declared all such associations to
be illegal and our association was dis
banded. In my opinion it would be wise
for this Grand Lodge TO take action look
ing to the formation Of a similar organ
ixation, as the new supreme statutes
lcgaliKe such action"
The report contained a roster OF the
dead, with special reference TO Past
Supreme Chancellor George b. Shaw. Also
the ceremony attending the institution Of
America Lodge, No. "a, in this city Feb. 1,
last; the silver anniversary of the order to
take place next year and a number of
other matters OF Importance TO the juris-
diction.
The following recommendations were
submittei;
That steps be taken toward forming
sick benefit ASSOCIATION similar to the
one which existed prior TO the legislation
at Kansas City.
To place a telephone in the Grand
Lodge Office.
To donate 500 to the ist Regiment, u.
r.. X. OF p. OF this Domain, TO help them
TO pay the debt incurred by the trip to
Washington, TO represent Rhode Island.
That the matter of the Knights OF
Pythias Real Estate and Building Asso-
cistion be continued.
That In place OF the present executive
board the grand chancellor appoint five
past grand chancellors, who with the
board OF grand officers shall constitute the
advisory board for the year OF Office oil
the q. &. who appoints them.
That the celebration OF "Pyth-
ian Day." (meaning our an
nual summer parade and excursioa), be
relegated TO the control OF the subordi-
nate lodges and uniform rank, the @. G.
10 proclaim such day as their committee
shall select TO be Pythian Day.