The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1896-11-18

In Sixty-Thi;d Annual ession Here To-

To-day in Odd Fellows Hall Is being
| held the sixty third annual commnnica-
| tion of the Grand Lodge of Delaware |.
O. o. f. The session began at 10 o'clock
when there was in attendance one hun
dred Odd Fellows from all over the State.
The session began with the animal re-
port of Grand Master William Hutchin-
son, Al portion of which was: To-day
marks the sixty third annual communica-
ton of this Grand Lodge and it is certainly
most appropriate that we should at the hc-
g n'ngssof the day declare our honl tfe t
t,nks unto Him who has permitted Us to
prosper, and enjoy so many benefits ana
blessings by reason OF our association In
this Jurisdiction. trust that our aoso.
elatiOn to-day may be profitable and pleas
ant as we nlugle with each other recall
ing pleasant times spent together aud that
we may not lose sight Of tho fact that our
duty calls us to be ever Watchful that Wo
may do only those things that will be an
advantage to our beloved Order.
Tho year just passed has mob been one in
which grear growth has been made il our
number yet | am inclined to believe that
it has been of that kind that makes men
everywhere more kccnly appreciate tho
many advantages 10 be derived from
membership i'll u great Brotherhood like
this.
He thon told Of the duties he had per-
formed during his tenure of office.
The following reports from Deputy
Grand Masters, George NJ Fisher, Benz.
f. Sheppard, J. W. killcn, C. W. AInmcr-
man and Alfred Il. Hudson, on the work
of their respective districts during tho
year.
j. NJ. Collins c p Maroney, J. Ii.
Hammitt and Edwin +. Morrow submit
the a report Of the committee on appeals,
which was adopted.
Isaac W. Halan, grand secretary pro-
sented his report, witch he prclaced with
the remarks; 'I5 is always II pleasant duty
TO comply with the dictum that requires,
at the close of the year report from the
Grand Secretary as to the condition Of our
OIdGr in this portion OF the great Held,
aver which floats, as III emblem Of gCuu
will bearing its three links and four let.
tcrs, the flag we love to honor. There are
occasions when the pleasure is enhanced
by the ability to make glowing preschtt-
ton of a steady progress in the right dircc'
ton or depressed by the knowledge Of IL
deplorable retrUsresoion. ltegFet viii be
expressed that we are constrained to re-
cord Il decrease i'll membership, due in
part to the great humber suspended Tor
nuil-paymcnt of dues. Notwithstanding
the failure o make numerical gains, we
may with commendalle pride refer to the
care, attention and sympathy that have
bncn given to the sick and afflicted; over
fifrenn thousand dollars having been cx-
pended during tho year i'll ninistor!ns to
their comfort"
The present membcr hip of the order
numbers 21s7 which is ii loss Of lE; 30
b Others and 30 vi lowed families were re-
ilrvpd 81 brothers and II wives buried.
The amount paid for sick benefits WAS
slu935 80 The amount paid for special re-
Lief was s70l. for burial Of dead, both
mules and females, $500; total paid for
relief SlJit 57;r for other purposes, $l3971.-
"; total amount Of EXPENSES, $50, ,1ji96;
total amount Of receipts, s35o9l.5S. In
personal property, real estate, stocks,
bonds, notes, mortgages, ami III bank the
order has SLIP, II los. Twenty eight
lodges own the buildings in which they
meet, either in fee simple or by stock.
Tho cost of erection amounting to $751;
7Gi 81 assessed value being $iU6 21i.S 81 with
an indebtedness Of So $50.
The report concluded with a review Of
deaths work for the year. -Four past mas.
terS had been claimed.
+. Grand Treasurer a. G. Robinson present
ed the following aa his report aud it took
the usual course:
To amount in bank ~ last report $3.50 33
To amount received from Grand
Secretary. ..l@O lJJ