The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-07-23

we believe Is almost In sight. The arch
fends of he'll have marshaled the hordes
of the rum power In battle array, with
the false cry OF personal liberty in
scrtbed upon their banners In letters OF
crimson blood from the 5000 yearly vic
tins, and with coIors bedrabbied in the
slimepits OF hell. they shout themselves
hoarse In their plea for the privilege 10
make brutes OF men, demons OF fathers
and husbands. outlaws, criminals and
tramps of sons and brothers. fools and
gsobering idiots OF children. while they
feast on the best OF the land and gloat
over the number and wretchedness OF
their victims. Oh, the wan OF sorrow and
despair. filling the air with the sol,her
tones OF sadness: the groans and shrieks
OF the suffering that pierce the ear,
striking the chill OF terror 70 loyal hearts.
The dark world is robbed of the bright
ness that cotld shine from these misera-
bic victims. Many a merry song Is
turned 10 weeping: many a bright posi-
billy is buried under disgrace. The world
needs their gieefal mirth. their happy
songs, highest ambitions and brilliant at
tainments We have gained much and
lost burt little. and our seeming defeats
are sometimes the byroads to victory. Our
cause Is getting fast hold on the hearts
and consciences of true men and women
everywhere. One position after another
has been taken from the enemy. We
have put them largely upon the defen3-
I've. Let us hold the ground already
gained. and push on TO greater victories.
True service Ia marked by personal en-
deavor born OF seif-sacrsfice. No selfish
man was ever known by his good deeds
In order to be truly great or good one
must die to self that he may be OF serv-
lee to others. We may go down IN the
struggle for temperance. but II we do.
let Il be with our coIors flying. We must
land our craft, with all on board, on the
sunllt shores of liberty and temperance.
among the ripping waters OF purity. and
the gentle zephyrs from loves sweet
throne will kiss away every bitter tear
from the palhd cheeks
Report of tho Secretary.
The report OF the secretary shows that
the Grand Lodge has resources or N.soo.
and liabilities amounting to $50. The re-
ceipts for the year were y6f56 less than
the year before. The membership Is BIS,
or 474 less than one year ago.
THAT times have been hard is undenia-
bic. ana this. doubtless has to do with our
loss in membership. and yet the fact -
very apparent that the districts that have
given proper attention TO their lecture
work are the ones that have made sub
stantiai gains or held their own. The TALL
TIRE 10 use every GNaiAattc AVA Wisely
directed lecture work IL. In my judgment,
the mistake of the year. Thatlecturssnoney
would accumulate TO the credit Of district
examinations was never contemplated by
the or.ginators OF the system: II 10 certain
" unwixe and so long as IL Is allowed 20
continue. we may hope for no gain In
membership and may confidently an ticipate
losses. am OF the firm conviction that
the placing of the lecture work under one
management, as per my suggestion else-
where in this report VIII 90 far towards
stopping the leak The matter ought to
receive careful consideration at the hands
OF the committee on state OF order Our
lecture work continues to be what Il al
ways has been. the giant feature OF Good
Temp,ary. As an educational factor In
the great temperance reform movement.
this branch Of our work has no equal.
Legislation, al this session or at any other
sc ssion of the Grand Lodge, that contem-
plates the destruction or impairment or
our lecture system. strikes at the very
vitais of our order. II Is the heart OF Good
Templary."
TIE Per Capita Tax.
The question "Shar the per capita tax
be reduced" was then thrown open for
discussion In accordance with the an
nounced programme OF the session. This
question has been talked Of in the snbordi-
months past and is recognized as the
great problem for discussion ana settle
rnent at this Grand Lodge. The advocate
OF reduction OF the tax asked for a post
porement OF the discussion until q later
period in the session. but the majority
evidently believed the business of the ses-
sion would be facilitated by the prompt
discussion and early solution OF this inpor-
tant problem, and therefore decided
a1afns. stis.h rostponement The discsts-
sion, however, resolved itself into q pre-
seutation OF only the negative side OF the
question. the advocates of tax reduction
declining TO take part. George f. cotteril
made an appeal for the maintenance Of
the present financial standing OF thu or
der. showing by reference 90 the annual
reports that IL vas impossible to reduce
the tax and al the same time maintain
the efficacy OF the order "a a missionary
organization. Capt. ID. T. Davis also dis
cusSrd the question. taking strong ground
axasrsss flae proposed tax reduction