The Washington times., 1895-02-20
PTTHIAH KNIGHTS MEET
Opening of the Annual Session
of the District Grand Lodge.
AN INCREASE OF MEMBERSHIP
Capital Lodge, No 2z, Won the Grand L2dge
Trophy-Admission Of Past Chancellors
Not Possible Under the Law-Renowl Of
the Discussion Relating to the &c man
Ritua--2eyision of the Constitution.

The District Grand Lodge OF knights OF
Pythias met in annual session last evening at
No. $40 PENNSYLVANIA avenue northwest.
There were eighty delegates in attendance.
representative OF the sixteen lodges in the
jurisdiction. Grand Chancellor II. G.. Wag-
ner pre-ided. and there were present ]. b.
Conner. past grand chancellor: J. W. HarGell,
vice grand chancellor; Henry Yenney, prelate:
George w. Bauman. grand keeper of records
and seas; John Humphrey, grand master of
exchequer; r. d. Crupper, acting grand
naster-at-arms: d. K Mangum, grand lee
turer; C. n Thompson. grand inner guard,
and J. H. Osborne. grand outer guard.
GRAND cHANcEILoR's ADDRESS.
AfteI the usual opening ceremonies the
grand chancellor read his annual address.
Among other items embraced in the report
was the announcement that Capital Lodge,
No. q, had won the grand lodge trophy. 10
be awarded for the greatest increase in MEM
bership since the last annual meeting. The
trophy, a bannererte. was won last year by
Union Lodge, No. %
The total increase in the membership of
the order in the District was stated 10 be
ninery-six.
The question OF admitting past chancellors
who had served two or more years as either
prelaie keeper OF records aad seals, or
master of exchequer was brought up. and
was variously discussed by the brethren, but
the grand chancellor disposed of the issue by
stating that if admitted he could not confer
upon such the grand lodge rank. citing the
supreme lodge law in support OF MS decision.
PAST cHANcELLoRs RECEIVED.
Past chancellors were received as follows
the grand lodge rank being conferred upon
each: L. II. MiddIekauif. Lewis W. simons,
George E. Gartrell. Charles Maier, W. A.
Wilding, Christian Schickler, A. G. Graves
Henry T. Hulley. Andrew Tilling, S. w. Gil
Iingham. Howard p Chiids. George Z. Crom-
well, J. c. Eller, w. +. Beers, and j. Z. DON
aldson.
Supreme Chancellor Walter B. Ritchie, who
was expected 10 be present last night, was
unable to attend, and deferred his visit. He
will he present at the session tomorrow
evening.
The election of officers for the ensuing
year will probably occur this evening.
The grand lodge will be called upon TO dis
pose Of everal important questions. among
them being the issues that have grown out of
the action Of the supreme lodge upon the use
OF the German ritual and upon the admission
OF saloon-keepers 10 membership in the
OfueE Oul OF lHeSe queSllOHs ulSSenslOns
have arisen aud many German members OF
the local organizations have gone into the
new order known as the Improved Knights
OF Pythias."
TWO WERE SUSPENDED.
Two Of the German lodges. the Ocasia and
Germania, were suspended by the supreme
chancellor for non-conformity with the re-
vised laws, but were afterward reinstated.
The question will now be brought up upon a
motion TO confirm the action of the chan
cellor. both in suspendinG the lodges and
in reinstating them. and also when action is
taken upon revision of the constitution TO
make it conform to the ruling OF the supreme
lodge
These questions will occupy large part OF
the time OF the present session.