The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-09-22
SESSION In THE TEXAS
CITY.
GIVEN A HEARTY WELCOME.
CEIvED BY GOVERNOR OF
THE STATE.
MEMBERS ALL MOVED TO TEARS.
Pathos Supplied by the Presence of
the Special Charges of the Texas
Odd Fellows.

DAAAA<AO, ISAdS, sept. 1l.-Ine sew
enty-seventh annual session of the
sovereign grand lodge of the Indepen-
dent Order of Odd Fellows was called
to order promptly at D. M today by
Grand Sire J. S. Stebbins. The roll was
called and showed that 80 grand lodges
and 30 grand encampments had repre-
sentatives on the floor. Proceedings
were formally opened with prayer by
the grand chaplain, Rev J. w. Venable.
or Hopkinsville, KY. After the appoint
ment of standing of committees, the
grand secretary delivered his annual
communication. A public reception was
rendered to the members of the order
here this morning. Gov. Charles A.
Culberson, in behalf of the State of
Iexas, welcomed the visitors in q short
but appropriate address. There were
addresses Of welcome by Grand Master
w. 5. Blanton, Hon. Barnett Gibbs, act
ing for Mayor Holland; G. A. Kellar, of
san Antonio, vice patriarch militant:
G. F. Hunter, department commander.
ana Mrs M. L. McCracken, president of
the state assembly of Daughters of Re-
bekah.
Hon. John w. Stebbins of New York.
grand sire of the order, responded in
behalf Of the order. M. D. Herring, of
Waco, presided.
most touching sight closed the re-
ception, when the orphans and widows
OF members of the order, especial
charges of the Odd Fellows of Texas.
marched onto the stage singing an
ode. There was not dry eye among
the thousands of spectators.
The first session Of the grand lodge
was held this afternoon. Tomorrow
there Will be a reunion Of grand past
representatives and many other
speclal features will mark the session.
Many distinguished visitors from out
SIDE the state are here and every train
brings fresh arrivals
The report of Grand Sire c. e. w Stebbins
contained the following
The condition of business interests and the
prospective disturbances in this and other
countries have had their effect upon the or
DER Yet under the surrounding conditions
our growth has not been seriously retarded
our losses in membership through inability
10 meet their obligations have been unusually
large, though when the stringeney of the
times shall have passed many will return
The additions to the order have been fairly
good, and III all branches prosperity has pre-
vailed to an unlocked for extent. In the
subordinate lodges the net gain has been g.
lso. IN the sub-encampments there has been
net loss OF J., 1854. In the Patriarch Mill
tant branch there has been large increase
In the Rebekah branch the growth has been
phenomenal. there being a net increase in
membership of 27,S54. This is in no incon-
siderable degree attributable and traceable
to the opening of the door to all unmarried
iag I,es OF good moral character.
This branch is rapidly outstripping all Of
the Others and the prediction that not in
the far future it will lead them all in mem
bership in labor and efficiency seems prob
able Of realization 1t is to be hoped that
the two things now most needed for its
greater ef1ciency-the opening wider the
door so as to admit all of good moral char
ried or unmarried-and the giving of a uni
versal password and sign, SO that they may
everywhere seek brothers aid when re-
quired, will be provided before this session
closes. Foreign Jurisdictions are prosper
Gus.
On the subject Of homes for the aged, the
widow and orphan-that grandest field of
all our labors-reports were received Of
homes established or IN process of estab-
lishment in seventeen grand jurisdictions
When we recall the brief period of time
since the first effort was made in estab-
fishing them, but feel encouraged at
their great success. Their growth and in
crease. the last year, both in number and
residents have been phenomenal.
The following, which IL not exact as may
appear in the official figures, will give some
thing of an idea of the progress of our order
in this regard: Last year they were re-
ported seventeen grand jurisdictions, this
year. twenty-six; increase. 8; last year. acre
crease. 1885; last year. value 1852 727. OF;
this year value ss1s 600; increase, $15, 272se.
In addition to the foregoing. Washington
Oregon, South Dakota, Nebraska, Georgia
and North Dakota have the subject Of homes
under consideration, and will doubtless soon
be added to the list. This growth in this
branch Of our great benevolent work is most
gratifying for q large part of which the or
der is indebted to the Rebekah branch. that
has given it's special attention.
Our financial condition which has always
been of the best, cannot be too carefully
guarded against encroachment. II the ques-
ton of supplies, the chief source of our rev.
enue shall be clearly defined and the order
informed. and other suggestions be carried
out no direct taxation to sustain the increas-
ing expenses of our rapidly developing or
der need be feared The increase Of the Pa
triarch Miltants was: Cantons, ILL., battal-
ions. SO; regiments. Ii; brigades. A.: divis-
IONS I: members, 1925; funds, 81, 1885,
And this does not embrace reDorts from
Delaware, Denmark, Kansas, Louisiana, Mari
time Provinces. Nevada. North Dakota. South
nine Jurisdictions, the increase in member
ship is more than double that of the sub
ordinate lodges, and nearly equal TO the mar
vellous growth of the Rebekah branch.
In conclusion he saws: The past two years
loaded as they have been with revision of the
Rehekah and Patriarch Codes the Fargo diff
fculty the new amendment to the constitu-
ton the checking of inroads upon the list OF
supplies and the new digest have been years
of labor and responsibility. With such advice
ored to dispose of them to the best of my
ability and in manner which seemed eau1t-
able and lust at all times endeavorfng TO
keen within the spirit rather than the letter
of the law wherever ambiguity or doubt ex-
listed.
The first session of the sovereign
grand lodge was called together at 2
O'clock behind closed doors. Grand
Sire Stebbins' annual address occupied
the time up to o'clock, at which hour
an adjournment was taken.