The record-union., 1895-09-10

alt6r0u, aueuU6U or suspended at any
regular meeting by two-thirds vote of
those present but suspensions could
only last for one meeting.
The constitution might be amended by
two-tnirds vote at a regular meeting.
after the amendment had been proposed
in writing and voted for by majority at
three separate and distinct meetings.
This constitution was adopted on July
IL, 1873. and was supplemented by code
OF bylaws which defined the duties and
the penalties for failure to pay them;
they also provided for the payment Of
sick benefits OF 81 per week, and all of the
actual funeral expenses Of deceased mem-
bers, and finally, that a library should
be established under the following rules:
First-A library shall be established
under such rules and regulations as the
Trustees may adopt.
Second-They shall receive, receipt for
and return thanks to persons who may
contribute money. books, maps. papers,
etc., for that purpose.
Ihlrd-The name of each contributor
shall be entered in a we'll bound boo k. to
be kept for that purpose, showing the
time, character and value of donations.
Fourth-A Library Committee of five
shall be appointed by the Trustees, who
ment. under the direction Of the society.
and provide lectures at least once n
month.
Thus the society. in the beginning. out
lined Its purpose to join the benefcent
Slsterhood OF fraternal societies in agree
able and profitable social intercourse. aud
under conditions that should develop aud
improve the young minds of its ambi-
tlous, patriotic and enthusiastic men,
oers. Under that guidance and the in
spiratious OF those surroundings. how
many minds were turned to better, higher
thought, and led TO emulate the pursuits
and accomplishments OF the noblest of
the heroic of California, no one can tell
now; that great good has come out OF it,
the later lives of those native son pioneers
eloquently attlrms, and what influences
1t may yet exert on the commonw ealth
only the future of these same men few of
whom are yet in the prime of life and
none in the meridian) can tell to the gen
Grafton that writes their history after they
are laid away with their progenitors, the
original pioneers.
THE ORIGINAL CONSTITUTION
Has passed through the variation of
many changes and additions since then.
The first great change was made when
AFTER a few months of experience the
members found that admitting young
men at 10 years of age gave the society
the character OF an organization OF boys,
recognition as dignitisd body of young
men, of whom California might expect
much in the near future of their matur-
lty; 1t was then determined to raise the
age OF admission TO Is years. Fred Fem,
then the eloquent Chaplain, opposed the
proposed amendment with all the force
and fervor for which he was then so
much admired, but the judgment of the
older heads triumphed and the amend
ment was adopted
The next radical change was the aboli-
ton OF honorary membership: this prop
osltion was near to being the disruption
OF the society. General Winn had many
warm friends, and had been the society's
guide. friend and philosopher; he had,
through his advice and through his sup
port IN the a HG California; done much
to deserve the gratitude and win the
esteem of the members, and they were
extremely reluctant 10 deprive him of
his mem bership; on the other hand, there
were many that differed with him and
who apprehended great future trouble
from the possibilities of honorary men,
bership. They feared that it would re-
suit In the advent of men who might
draw the young enthusiast into the
dangerous maelstrom OF politics.; the
views of these mem bers We're finally i'm
pressed upon the majority, and honorary
mem bershlp WAS abolished on a prIl %
1876. With the amendment General Winn
ceased to be member, but not to be a
friend 10 the society. The beautiful \. S.
q. w. monument over his grave at Sac
ramentc attests the respect and gratitude
the Native Sons continued to feel for
him.
Inc next important change was the ex
tension OF the jurisdiction TO all the States
and Territories west of the Rocky Mount
aims; this, however, was soon changed
again. and its membership confined ex-
clusively TO natives of California.
In 1878 the name parlor was adopted.
1t was the aim to secure a name different
from the usual designation Of subordi-
nate branches, and the fertile Imagination
OF veteran John E. McDougald supplied
the significant designation.
GRAND PARLoR FORMED.
By this time parlors had been organ
lied i'll Oakland and Sacramento. The
constitution of No. l, known as Charter
Parlor, governed the other two parlors,
but no change i'll the general law could
be made without the consent of all the
parlors. In 1878 the Charter Parlor called
for the election of five delegates from
each parlOr to form Grand Parlor to
meet IN San Francisco Novembe 80, 1878.
The delegates met on November 80 1878,
and formed Grand Parlor, but no con-
stitution nor form of law was adopted,
and the officers did not assume their Of
fees, but the Grand Parlor met again,
June 80, 1879. y constitution was
adopted, but it provided that it should
not go into effect until next session. A
constitution for subordinate parlors was
adopted and governed those bodies. The
grand officers did not realize the expecta-
lions of the members, and a third session
approached without single step forward;
as a matter OF fact, there was retrogres-
sion, for besides the collapse of Los An
geles Parlor, San Francisco Parlor had
forfeited its charter.
The Charter Parlor, which had adopted
the name OF California Parlor, No. l, still
exercised the authority of the governing
head. 1t organized San Francisco Par
lor, No. t. and subsequently, revoked its
charter, and its authority WAS recognized
and all its acts confirmed by the third
Grand Parlor, which met in San Fran
cisco in June. 1880. and was then duly in
corporated under the laws of California;
into full force aud effect, and the grand
officers entered upon the discharge of
their undisputed functions,
Its objects are to be the uniform ad-
of the privileges, honors
and benefits of the Order OF the Native
Sons of the Golden West, and to unite all
worthy native sons of California in one
harmonious body.
HOW COMPOSED.
The first and second Grand Parlors
held in San Francisco in 1878 and 1879
were composed of five delegates from
each of the three parlors then in exist
ence. The constitution adopted in 1879
declared that the Grand Parlor should be
of two delegates at large, and
one additional delegate for each fifty
mem bers, or fraction OF fifty over twenty |
five from each parlor. The Grand Parlor
in Sacramento, in 1882, adopted the |
reducing the representation
to one delegate at large and one for each |
mem bers. The Grand Parlor
ot San lose in 1855 educed the ranre- |