The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1895-09-06
MYSTIC SHRINERS
Elect c. L. Fields Of San Fran
cisco Imperial Potentate.

Order Has AlIeviated Much Poverty and
Distress-Retiring Potentate's Address
Shows Great Growth In the Order.
NAKTAsKET BEACH, Mass, Sept. 3-The
Mystic Shriners made several changes in
the constitution yesterday, and then the
following officers were elected: Imperial
potentate, G. l.. Fields, San Francisco;
deputy imperial potentate, J. T. Brush,
Indianapolis; chief rabban, HARRISON
Bingham, Washington; assistant rabban,
E. R. Harris, Detroit; high priest and
prophet A. B. McGaffey, Denver; oriental
guide, r. f. Allen, Kansas City; treasurer,
w. S. Brown, Pittsburg; recorder, B. W.
Rowell, Boston; first ceremonial m0ster,
w. H. S. Wright, St. Paul; second cere-
monial master, T. J. Bishop, Albany;
marshal, R. M. Johnson, Chicago; captain
of the guard, J. H. Atwood, Leavenworth,
Kan; outer guard, H. K. Blanchard,
Providence. 1t is estimated that there
were at least 10000 visitors at the Rock
land House yesterday, of which more than
half were Shriners.
The vote for the new imperial potentate,
Charles L. Field of San Francisco, was
121 out of 1873. Mr.. Field is a San Fran
cisco merchant in the leather business a
man known and admired throughout the
west He is past commander of the IA
nous Golden Gate commandery and past
potentate of the Islam Temple. He was
80 years old yesterday, his election being a
graceful birthday present on the part Of
his fellow mobiles.
An Encouraging Report.
Immediately after the council assembled
yesterday Imperial Potentate Melish de-
livered his annual address, which was in
substance as follows:
Again the Imperial Council is convened
in annual session. We are greeted with
hospitality as unstinted and typical as the
largest Arabic heart could wish in this
oasis of the famed Temple Aleppo, one of
the largest, wealthiest and most influential
of our subOrdinates.
During the year 1892 I called the atten-
ton of each temple to the virtue of charity, |
as well as hospitality, and suggested that |
each temple make a special effort to al |
leviate the poverty and distress OF the |
worthy poor. This bore good fruit The |
result exceeded all expectations.
The sum total expended for charity I'M |
der the auspices Of our subordinate tenn
pies ana III the name OF the Order OF No |
bles Of the Mystic Shrine, amounts to
s140S7 30. When carping criticism or
captious comment, derogatory to the
Shrine is made, let us point to our charita-
bic deeds to Gods poor and say: ''This
is the answer of the Shrine in America"
The prosperity of the order continues
unabated Notwithstanding the financial
depression during the greater portion of
the year cur growth in membership
during 1894 was the largest in our history;
ON Dec. l. 1898, amounting to 81, AL. On
the same date, 1894, it was 87,542, showing
a gain of 61O7 During the year 1 have
made special effort to ascertain the growth
and condition of the order in other ways
than in numerical strength, and am glad
to report regarding it's material prosperity.
We now have "a temples in North America,
located in 81 states and territories, with
net assets of &303, 931 35
In conclusion I beg to express to you my
of the high honor of occupy
ing the office which I am to relinquish
with the installation of my successor at
this session.