Evening star., 1896-08-24
Biennial Session Of the Supreme
Lodge.
INTERESTING EXERCISES ATCLEVELAND
Raising the Flag Of Camp Perry
Payne.
READING OF EPOR S

dreds OF knights of Pythias marched into
town this morning to attend the eighteenth
biennial session of the Supreme Lodge and
the national encampment of the organiza-
ton. The reception of brigades, regiments
and visitors occupied the forenoon.
In the afternoon troops assembled, in
fuil-dress uniforms. in front of the head
quarters. There the dedicatory exercises
took place. The address of the centennial
committee. by Wilson NJ. Day. director
general Of the commission; the presenta-
tion of Camp Perry Payne, by Mayor Nc
Kisson; acceptance of the camp, by Major
General Carnahan, and the raising Of the
camp flag, occupied the afternoon session.
This evening there will be a band con-
cert. and at o'clock the Supreme Council
Of the Uniform Rank will meet in special
assembly at the headquarters of the major
general
The reports Of the officers of the Grand
Lodge show remarkable growth and de-
velopment of the order.
Supp eme Chancellor Ritchic'x Report.
Il feel that in the light of business stag
nation which has been general throughout
the world. the showing made by our order
Is most remarkable. The number of mem
bers initiated is proof conclusive that the
subordinate lodges of the country are
active and earnest.
I'VE have lost some membership by rea-
son of legislation on the German question,
but 1t is a pleasure to say that the loss
thus accrued has not been from the better
class Of Germans-they have been loyal
and true.
The Catholic question has in some of the
domains materially affected US. We have
lost some for another reason. In great
many of the domains the lodges have set
about the weeding-out process, and are
permitting members who have proved un-
desirable TO quietly drop out. In addition
TO this. II may be said, in many grand
domains the provision of the old consttu-
tion as to arrearages working suspension
was disregarded but the mandatory pro-
vision OF the supreme statutes has result
ed In the lodges complying Herewith and
has very materially added to the suspen-
sions as there were many members whose
names had simply been left on the books
for years after being in arrears.
The enterprise in the erection of castle
ties. in the higher regard for the MEM
bership. have all proven of untold benefit
And l can safely say that the order was
never upon SO safe basis now.
THE receipts for the year ending Decem-
Der 81, 1894, were 81, 4,02O2S5, and for the
year ending December 81, 1895, s, ,0:S2 sos
making total for the two years of $S.O53,
900. This shows a ret gain In the cash re-
ce1pts of the subordinate lodges of $yG, 1872
The subordinate lodge assets December
81, 1893. were S.O6s. .O54. and December 81
1885 $500, III, showing an increase in the
past two years Of $942, ,657.
The expenditures for relief in 1894 were
s1.2i3.61S, and in 1895 81 sos: total, s..
494,3I4. an increase during the past two
years of S11b.OOO.
1.-The number of subordinate lodges on
December g. 1S93 was 5,99S, and Decem-
Der 81. 1895. 6.494. an increase In two years
of 1876
THE number Of members December 81
1893, was 443,615: December 81 1894, 464,-
dence that the subordinate lodges are at
work. the number Of initiates during the
years 1894 and 1898 was 1O3. 1872
This would indicate what the growth Of
the order would be If 1t were not for that
more serious question Of suspension for
non-payment of dueS
Missionary Work.
Il have given much thought to the prop
os.tion of missionary work. I feel that We
have abundance to do at home, and in a
fertile field, with men who are In sympathy
with every American who does not meas
ure success as necessarily found In the
products of the old world. The habits. the
CT Stoms, the hxedness upon all and esta5-
lished lines SO prevalent in other lands
would not be conducive to the growth and
development of this institution. I may
even say that the selfishness, the exclu-
siveness Of the people Of other lands would
not tend to promote the growth Of this
American order Of ours. We are great
enough. with enough to do at home.
For month or two after the propa-
should be refused by the Catholic Church
to all who retained membership in this and
certain other orders, there was much agta-
ton. 1t is a question that does not reed
well defined. and 1t Is matter to be dis
posed of entirely by the Individual mem-
bers who belong to the Catholic Church
The result OF this. no doubt. has been
considerable n
found in number of the states where the
Catholic membership was large that we
have been visibly affected by reason of it.
or this do not complain. No member of
the order should be censured for following
the dictates Of his own conscience, but he
should stand upon one foot or the other
Under this edict it is impossible in good
faith for him to stand upon both,
During the two years ending Decembar
81, iooo. the suspensions, practically all
being for non-payment Of dues, amounted
70 u. -. These figures are startling. In
ment Of the master Of finance a percentage
upon dues. fines and assessments colle,ted
would be beneficial. With q master Of
hrance who would have a financial interest
IN the payment of the dues, the presenta-
tion Of the matter to a member would. es
rule. result In his dues being paid and the
remova! Of the feeling which is ever pres
ent with @member who Is indebted to his
lodge and the saving to our order each
year of many thousands of members.
The growth and prosperity Of the Uni
form Rank in the past has been far beyond
the expectations Of the men who, in the
Supreme Lodge In 1877 and 1873, adyo-
Gated so earnestly its establishment Its
growth Is largely due to the fostering care
given,it by the Supreme Lodge, as well as
to the efforts that have been SO unceasing-
ly given by those who have been in direct
control OF Its management and work. The
receipts from all sources were: For the
fiscal year ending March 81, 1895, s., 7SS O5:
ending March 81. 1885, $1O,197.O3 The
revenues have been sufficient to meet tho
current expenses.
1.-The increase in new divisions for the
two years ending March 81, 1885, has been
1O4: Since March 81. 1895, and up to and
including July %, there have been re-
oeived twenty-three applications for ad-
ditional divisions which have been an
proved. and those divisions will soon be
instituted.
The German Question.
Following the legislation Of 1892, with
reference to the printing of the ritual in
the English language. a goodly number of
the members of the German lodges In
sisted that the question should be resub-
mitted to the Supreme Lodge at its con-
in vii