davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1896-05-22
the Independent Order of Odd Fellow.

of South Dakota:
AS the mayor of the city of Hot
Springs I am deputed the pleasant
duty of extending to you on behalf of
all the people of this city the most cor
dial welcome to our hearts and homes
We are proud of this visitation of
your honorable bodies and desire to
impress you individually and collect
lively by every means in our power, of
our high appreciation of the compli-
facnt you have paid us in selecting our
fair young city as the seat OF your de-
alterations for the year 1886 We have
city, the product of peculiar and en-
ceptional conditions of which we are
peculiarly and exceptionally proud.
am but recently installed in office and
may be prone to the indiscretions Incl
dent to official youthfulness, yet, do
not think it will he inappropriate OH
this occasion the better to emphasize
our appreciation of your presence. to
call the attention of the individuals
composing these distinguished bodies
to the peculiar property which is at
once our stay and support and the in-
spring source of our hopes OF flu
ttlre greatness.
You have perceived the many attrac-
tions here which manifest themselves
AS the gifts of nature. The scenic and
picturesque effect of the park-like ma
ture of our locality has not escaped
your sense of sight, and the purity of
our air aud general salubrity of our
climate has not failed to impress you
through it's cNhilarating Influences. In
Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1896-05-22

every face we have met since our arri-
val has been stamped in letters too
plain to be misunderstood, the word
welcome. AS we look around over this
spacious hall and see the numerous
tables groaning under the load of rich
viands aud most delicious fruits, we
see it there again written thousand
times, welcome. We learn it from the
hearts, through informal greetings
that have been extended to us; and in
the testimony of the flags and other
decorations with which your streets
have been beautified and your homes
have been adorned. To these generous
whole-souled citizens, who vie with
each other in their efforts to entertain
the stranger within their gates, per-
nit me again to express through you
the sincere thanks of this grand body
of Patriarchs for the kind and gracious
manner in which they have contributed
to the interest and comfort of this
Grand Encanpment and let me assure
you we have grateful and profound
appreciation of such confidence and
trust, and when our labors are COM
pleted we will carry with us never-to-
be-forgotten bright memories and
pleasant recollections of Hot Springs,
its people and it's Odd Fellows. who
seemingly have left no effort untried
to make our sojourn Il perpetual de-
light. Patriarchs, let harmony char
acterize our relations towards each
other; let all obstacles to the growth
of our great order be removed, and let
us work earnestly for the dissemina-
tion of it's principles among the en-
Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1896-05-22
o. o. F. GRIND LODGE
lot Springs Royalty Intcrtains Four Hun
slcrsl Odd Fellows and ltchclS,,i,s.-4it
the EaMluct.-On Elect. Etc.

FAut springs kSOENlIy l.tltcrtA1OS -FOUR Ii u1l-
dcisl Odd Fellows and ltcl,el;,ils.-.it
the cl:aMluct.-Ofliccrs Elect, Etc.
The resident members of the orders
|of Odd Fellows and Rebekahs have
been industriousiy engaged for some
weeks past in making extensive prcpar-
ations for the entertainment ofvisitin,,
members of those orders and it goes,
without saying that they have left moth
ing undone to make the stay of their
guests in Hot Springs replete with
pleasure and profit
Promptly at 7:15 Sunday evening the
Elkhorn special train of five passenger
coaches and Il baggage car. in charge of
Conductor Bert Cox and Engineer
George Parker. pulled into the Union
depot, having made the run from Sioux
City TO hot Springs. distance of four
hundred and siNty-nine miles, in eleven
hours and twenty live minutes. About
two hundred and thirty cXcursionists
discmharke,I i'll the midst of driving
raiiistorm. but the Fircmens band
struck up IL lively air. and the immense
crowd of enthusiastic citizens which
gathered to receive them gave them so
cordial welcome that they seemed to
Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1896-05-22

lightened people of this great state be-
cause we believe no man can be good
Odd Fellow without being better
father, a better husband, better son
and Il better brother. / sincerely hope
that this session of our Grand En-
campment may be pleasant; that the
conclusions we may reach may be wise,
and that the result of our labors may
reflect credit upon us and bring greater
prosperity to those we represent. /
trust that our conduct while here and
our example abroad may be of such a
character as to cast halo of joy and
encouragement, not only upon the en-
campment here, but upon all who may
be travelling with us down the path
way of time. But hold on-I said in
the start that would not kill you.
Thanks.
Mrs. Ernie Il. Richey, of Yankton,
Past President of the Rebekah State
assembly responded eloquently and
feelingly to the call for speech:
She was greatly surprised, she said,
to be called upon for an address and
in manner befitting the occasion.
She felt highly honored in being called
upon to respond in behalf of the Re-
belkahs, who are increasing in numbers
much faster than are the brothers.
We have noticed during our sojourn
here that the Black Hills people are
peculiarly hospitable and generous. We
appreciate yo,lr welcome and will Ger
tainly enjoy it while here.
Hon. Harvey j. Rice, of Huron, Grand
Secretary of the Grand Lodge Of Odd
Fellows, was next called upon for a
talk aud his address was unanimously
pronounced one of the most interesting
of all the responses of the evening. It
bubbled over with good humor and
was at once witty, eloquent and pathet-
ic. Mr.. Rice arose from somewhat
obscure place in the center Of the
room and said in part: I was just con-
graduating myself that the toastmaster
had overlooked my name on the pro.
gram and that would not be called
upon for speech, but have q horrible
suspicion that little fellow who is nc
taller than the tops of these chairs
and who was seen few minutes ago
making his way toward the presiding
officer, reminded that gentleman that
he had me ION his list" The initials
of the meddlesome little fellows name
are John G. Richer. have heard 9
story of two lawyers from Gary. named
Monaghan and Flanagan who applied
for admission to the Pearly Gates. Mr.
Flanagan stepped up and knocked
and old Peter inquired who was there
Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1896-05-22

forget the inclement weather for the
time being and their arior was not
dampened in the least. There was a
hurrying and scurring for hotels and
boarding houses and all we're furnished
with ample accommodations. Both
roads brought in goodly number from
the upper Hills Sunday evening and.
with the delegates and others who took
advantage of the low rate to visit Hot
Springs and came in on the excursion
trains Monday. the number of visit
ors was increased to fully four hundred
Every incoming train was met by rep
resentatives of the local lodges of Odd
Fellows and Rebekahs, who paid their
guests every attention and looked care
fully after their welfare.
SIGHTSEEING AND WIND CAVE.
Although the weather on Monday
was somewhat lowery and threatening
the day was devoted to sightseeing,
bathing and swimming in the plunge,
and about one hundred and thirty
visited Wind cave. All were delighted
with that wonderful subterranean world
and will always count their visit to it
as one of the most pleasant experiences
of their excursion to the Hills.
THE BANQUET.
On Monday night occurred the grand
banquet ut the city hall which was the
event of the week and for which the
local order of Rebekahs had made ex.
tensive preparations. The hall was
superbly decorated with flags, bunt
ing and cedars, and the walls were
adorned with mottos and emblems OF
the order. The three long tables run.
ming the entire length of the hall were
beautified with flowers and potted
plants, and with the immaculate table
linen, rich silverwareand other attract
i've table furnituethey presented most
inviting appearance. About four hun.
dred covers were laid and when the
guests filed in Prof. Weise executed
number of exquisite piano selections
The menu was choice and extensive
and was undoubtedly greatly enjoyed.
After coffee DIR. Jennings, as toast
master, arose in his place at the head
of the center table and said in part:
Brothers of the Grand Lodge, Grand
Encampment and Daughters of Re
bekah: We have been a long time eat.
ing aud will now have something else
[ [am highly honored in being called
upon to preside ut this magnificent
gathering of representative ladies and
gentlemen of the state, and of the grand
and noble orders of which you are the
delegates. l am proud of the order OF
Odd Fellows, l am proud of the Daugh.
ters of Rebekah and | am proud of the
good ladies of Hot Springs who have
contributed so much to the success OF
this entertainment. can not express
to you in words how proud we are tc
have you here and how glad always we
are to have you return. l will now
call upon Mayor Anderson for an ad-
dress of welcome.
Mayor Anderson addressed the assem-
blage in his usual happy manner as
follows:
Gentlemen of the Grand Encamp
,l.ient, of the Grand Lodge and Ladies
of the Daughters OF Rebekuh, OF
Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1896-05-22

gotten. We did not need the formal
address of welcome of the honorable
mayor to feel that we are among
friends. We have seen it in the water,
in the leaves of the trees, on the hill
tops and in the rocks that protrude
through the little soil that there is
on top. thank you.
Hon. Ivan w. Goodner, of Pierre,
the gentlemanly and accomplished
clerk of the state supreme court, spoke
briefly on the subject of federation"
He said it is for us to do that which
does most for the promotion of the order
and the greatest word for the promo
tion and perpetuity of nations as we'll
as orders is the word "toleration." In
1864, when this country was engaged in
fratricidal war, the Sovereign Grand
Lodge met in Boston and number of
vacant chairs were noted in the assem-
bly, hall. The whole country was in a
condition of intolerance, but there was
no word ofintolerencet there. Thenext
year after the war when they met the
chairs were all occupied, but not a
word of moderation was heard. Mr..
Goodner made an eloquent plea for
more liberation among mankind and
closed with the remark that his friend
Emerson, of Sioux Falls, had told him
that he had been to Wind Cave all day
writing a speech for this occasion and
that it was a gem of oratory of the
purest ray serene.
Hon. F. s. Emerson, of Sioux Falls,
Grand Representative to the Sovereign
Grand Lodge, was next called and en-
tertained the assemblage in his mimi
table style and in the course of his
remarks said:
The statement of the last speaker is
correct. I went to Wind Cave and
In that wonderful subterranean cavern
prepared my eulogy. But coming up
the stairs not only lost my eulogy
but my wind. The Sovereign Grand
lodge was organized in 1919. In 1896
there were forty. seven jurisdictions,
eleven grand encampments and nearly
a round million of members. While
the spirit of friendship, love and truth
obtains as it does in the local and grand
lodges, their sessions are strictly busi-
ness and there are no social gatherings
of this kind. understand we are to
shake the light fantastic toeat the con-
clusion of these exercises will not de-
tain you longer, and those who follow
me will please cut their speeches short.
DIR. Jennings then announced that
this concluded the program of the
evening and after a half hour spent in
social converse the evenings enjoyment
came to close. The hour being late
when the tables we're cleared and the
debris from the feast swept out the
contemplated ball was abandoned. It
was the unanimous opinion, too, that
enough enjoyment had been had for
one night aud that all surplus energy
would beneeded for the social functions
| Of the few succedingg evenings.
Continued ON Last Page.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-08
CIyII-sERyICE REFORM.

II may be conceded that 1t VIII not
be impossible for the Republicans 10
elect the next President of the unneu
States. And II they do, what VIII theS
say or do as to the Presidents knock
ing cut the spells system in his order
OF wednesday last, and leaving 10 'he
Republican President but few ofiicials
10 turn out OF office? We have always
feared that the reforms proposed In the
civil service would result in another PEN
sion nst-a civil pension list. Why not
Why should not civilians who nave
served their country faithfully for twenty
thirty. or forty years be pensioned as
soldiers are who serve terms Of like du-
ration?
We quote from the Baltimore Sun, an
advocate Of cvil-service reform, Few
sentences. 1t says:
"By Yesterdays order Of the President
90 1893 more positions In the Federal civ'l
service are placed out OF reach OF me
spokesman, increasing the number OF
officers in the classified service from
s., 1856 to Sl13j.
placing Offices out OF the reach Of the
spoilsmen" will not seem to the next
President. whether he Is a Republican
or n Democrat, a very seemly way oil
Speaking Of the "spolsmen" who have
had control OF the Offices up to this time
The Sun further says:
but rs classified places In the civil
service are now excepted from open com
petitiye examinations.
Thus a long step towards efficiency
in the civil service is taken. The Pen
dleton act. when first applied by Presi-
dent Arthur, protected only some 1000
places. and was an object Of ridicule 20
congressman whose hold on patronage IT
threatened But the dncir!ent reform
commended itself to the judgment Of
the people and 1t has gradually gained
i'm scope"
We don't believe it. The sun closes as
follows:
president Cleveland in his first term
greatly enlarged the classified list. Pres
ident Harrison further increased 1T. Du-
ing his second term President Cleveland
has from time to time made new addi-
tons to it, until now he has included
rretty nearly all the places 1t is posi-
BILE to bring under the rules. In enforcing
the civil-seryiCe-refOrm doctrine IN letter
and spirit the President has aienated
the spoiIsmen OF his party. On this ac-
count few Presidents have been so heart
lily detested by Senators and Representa-
tives Of that class Of patriots. But the
public applaud Mr. Cleveland's fidelity
to his own maxim that public office is
a public trust and laugh with ghoulish
glee at the impotent wrath Of the Demo-
cratic spoilsmen. Little by little their
fat rewards fer their henchmen have been
taken from them, till now the Federal
service Is a veritable Mother Hubbard's
cupboard for predacious congressman"
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-08
Az INTERESTING NAVAL FIGHT.

The naval engagement between the Off
GERS Of the line and the engineer officers
is becoming very interesting. The latter
are fighting for an increase of their corps
and greater recognition in the matter of
rank. but the former fear that this would
interfere with their prerogatives, and
are making a determined resistance to the
demands Of the engineers. The line Off
GERS do not fail 10 appreciate the fact
that the steady increase of mechanical
appliances in the construction and equip
ment of the modern battleship will neces-
state an increase in the mechanical force
Of the navy, but they propose to solve the
problem by enlsting skilled mechanics.
The engineers antagonize this proposal
as impracticable, and as not calculated
10 meet the requirements OF the case In
any particular In the May number OF
the North American Review their side
of the question is broadly and strongly
presented in a symposium on "The Engi-
neer in Naval Warfare" to which the
contributors are Commodore George w.
Melville, engineer-in-chief of the United
states navy; w. S. Aldrich, professor Of
mechanical engineering in the University
Of West Virginia; Ira N. Hollis, profess
sor of engineering in Harvard Univer-
sitv; Gardiner c. Sims, of the American
Society of Mechanical Engineers, and
George Uhler, president of the Marine
Engineers Beneficial Association.
Commodore Melville is quite caustic in
answering the arguments of the line
officers. and being in a position to know
whereof he speaks, supports his views in
a very convincing manner. lie describes
with great clearness the duties of those
in charge of the engine and the fire-rooms,
and the responsibilities that would rest
upon these departments during a naval
engagement, and declares that In building
battleships without providing for a trained
and sufficient corps Of naval engineers,
there is a royal road TO disaster and defeat
There is, he adds, however, a path to
victory by recognizing the fact that the
advent of the engineer. with his industrial
methods, is a direct gain to the efficiency
and glory Of the naval service.
In concluding his article, Commodore
Melville says that 'if the engineer is not
worthy Of official recognition, and of some
OF the cmoluments of the naval service.
al he stands in that magazine of death.
with clear brain. and steadfast courage,
holding in his firm grasp the heartstrings
Of the ship, then new lexicon Is re-
Quired TO define his worth. IL he falls
beneath a maze Of wrecked machinery,
or within a blast OF scalding steam, or
sinks 10 ocean depths in the closed COM
partment. either he dies as heroes die.
and his career has been honorable. or the
worlds ideal needs revision" Whatever
may be thought Of the merits OF the
controversy. so far as any other question
involved is concerned, II Is difficult to
understand how any one can dissent from
this last proposition.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-08
THE CALIFORNIA nEprnLIcANs.

The Republicans Of California seem 20
have agreed among themselves to send
delegates TO the Republican National Con-
vention pledged. first. to vote for McKin-
ley for the Republican nomination for
President; second, for protection. and
third for the free coinage Of silver at the
ratio of l6 to /, without stipulating for
any international agreement We had
seen IL stated that such an agreement
would be entered into, and that Mr..
Spreckels, the great sugar king, was to
be one OF the parties to it. lie was doubt
less more anxious for McKinley's election
because of his tariff views than for any
other reason. But it does look like selling
out a party, when these traders in poll
tics openly engage in work which is so
seriously denounced by good men all over
the Union. We take it for granted that
though the trading We have spoken OF
may have taken place there was an at
tempt to make It in some degree priyate.
The people are not yet ready TO be appeal
ed to to sustain such proceedings; and
the secret protectionists and traders in
they openly further such schemes as the
one under consideration. Free government
cannot be expected to last much longer
IL the people have become so Indifferent
to their duty as citizens Of a republic
that they can sit idly by and see such
outrages perpetrated as those we are
speaking Of, without raising a finger 10
protest against such a prostitution of the
powers Of the grand republic erected by
the fathers.
OF course Mr. Mckinley is not a party
TO this California decker He stands
just where he has stood all the time. He
is a representative man, so to speak. OF
the Republican soundmoney men as well
as Of the Republican protectonists. On
these two questions he holds himself at
the Democratic party.
But we shall be told that the California
Republicans did not declare for sound
money True enough. But all the same
they will go to ST. Louis to carry out the
views Of the leaders Of the Republican
party. The gold standard will be the out
come of the Republican National Con-
vention. let a few Republicans in that
body say what they may. There is no
future for the Republican party, other
than the future which is bound to become
theirs through the irresistible pressure
which will be brought 10 bear upon them
ut St Louis
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-08

From the first we advocated the pro-
posed cable between San Francisco and
Honolulu-that is, California and the
Sandwich Islands. Now that the PROPOSE
ton is TO extend the cable via Honolulu
TO Japan we are so much the more anxious
to see the new cable completed. We are
glad, therefore. TO repeat what we said
yesterday, that on Wednesday last the
United States Senate Committee on For
eign Relations directed the chairman. Mr.,
Frye, to report the bill directing the
Postmaster-General to contract with the
lowest bidder for the construction Of a
telegraphic cable between the United
States and Japan by way OF Hawaii and
the Midway Islands.
Let us circle the earth with cables
They are promoters of civilization. They
lead the other nations to look up to and
respect the countries which lay down
these cables. A universal currency and
a universal language will come in due
time.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-08
sorxp MONEY. OR NOT.

For the life OF US we cannot under
stand what is the basis OF the hopes
which the silverites entertain OF carrying
the Chicago convention by storm ana
nuttins into the field men pledged 10
free coinage or, as 1t Is sometimes
phrased, unlimited coinage. 1t Is just as
certain as anything in the future can be
that the soundmoney men VIII dictate
the nominee OF our party. If, as we be-
lieve will be the case, the opponents Of
the free and unlimited coinage OF silver
have a majority in the national conven-
ton. the minority will concede to them
the right TO make the nominations. e.,
viii give them enough votes to make mp
the required two-thirds vote.
II Is no small matter to have
TO meet the administration forces on a
question like this and this is what we
suppose the sveritcs will have TO DO.
We would not discourage the men who
are hopeful Of the adoption at Chi
cago Of a platform upon which all good
Democrats may stand-the Whitney plat
form for instance. declaring for free
coinage under an international agree
ment; but we must state the facts as
we see them.
one Of the most careful reporters
stationed at the Federal capital is the
correspondent of the New York Journal
Of Commerce. Here are bis guesses:
"rhe Northeastern States. including
Maryland and Delaware which are
81
votes ia the national convention. This
is about 200 short Of the number neces-
sary TO make majority; but "a votes
are practically assured In Wisconsin. ana
IS i'm Minnesota The battle-ground be-
tween the silver aud sound-moncy
forces will come in Ohio, with 40 votes;
Indiana. with 80 votes; Illinois, with ~
votes; Kentucky. with rs votes; Iowa
win 26 votes: and Louisiana, with 10
votes. These states have an aggregate
of ~ votes. and IL they were all carried
by the sound-money men would swell
their strength 20 400 delegates, or a ma
j0rity Of nearly 100 in the convention.
The friends of Senator Brice believe that
he will swing Ohio into the sound-money
column. with a practically solid vote.
Indiana and Illinois are likely to be d.
vlded. but the silver tide Is ebbing in
Illinois The news from Iowa is not
very definite: but Kentucky and Louis
Jana are likely to choose a majority Of
sound-money delegates. The sound-money
men will probably obtain twenty-three
votes as the result OF the equal division
Of Texas and Nebraska between the con-
testing sound-money and silver delega-
tons"
Mr.. German said a wise thing the other
day when he told his hearers that he
had been in politics long time, and
had learned that before a Democratic
National Convention meets there are
great boasts made as to doing away
with the two-thirds rule, &c, &C., but
when the delegates come together they
always prove to be a highly conservative
body. SO 1t will be this year. There is
no virtue in predictions; but we think
we may say that Mr.. Germans forecast
will prove 10 be true. The two-thirds
rule will not be done away with and the
sound-money men will control the con-
yention.