Evening star., 1896-08-04
GAlllEAN FISHERMEN
Fortieth Annual Session of the National
Body.
Business Transacted and Report Of
the Work of the Orxanf fzn tfOn-
Future Proceedings.

The fortieth annual session of the Righ;
Worthy National Supreme Grand Taber-
nacle Of the Grand United Order Of Cali
lean Fishermen began this morning at 3
o'clock at Zion Baptist Church, Rev. Will
liam J. Howard, pastor. street between
Sd and Az streets southwest.
The tabernacle was called to order by the
r. w. n. S. G. ruler, Rev. Thomas H.
Shorts of Hampton, Va. and Mr. Column
bus Gordon of Baltimore was right worthy
national supreme grand secretary. After
the usual ceremonials Of opening an annual
session of the supreme body were complied
with Rev. Mr.. Howard delivered an ad-
dress Of welcome, to which the response
was made by the grand orator of the ta-
lernacle, Mr.. A. w. Z. Bassett of Hamp-
ton.
The keys of the church were presented to
the n. G. ruler by the chairman of the re-
Ception committee, Past Deputy Grand
Ruler ]. Henry Wright of Washington, ID.
evidence to the members of the tabernacle
that during their session the church is en-
tirely at their command
A call of the roll showed that delegates
were present from nearly every section of
the United States, and 1t was stated that a
representative of the tabernacles in the
West India Islands would arrive during
the day.
Condition of the Order.
The annual statement Of the affairs of the
order and the work accomplished during
the year was made by Grand Ruler Shorts.
The report showed that nearly all the
tabernacles were in a prosperous and high
ly satisfactory condition. A brief review of
the history of the organization stated that
the nrst tabernacle was organized in Bal
timore by the late Hemsley Nichols more
than half century ago. Under his guild
knnWlpdQa benefits n ma
derived from membership in the Fishermen
became widely diffused among those for
whose aid 1t was established, and the order
grew very rapidly.
After laborirg as the grand ruler for
many years Mr.. Nichols died. His sue
ccssor was Thomas /. Hail. also Of Balti-
more. who is still living. Mr.. Hall went
into the work with great enthusiasm and
developed executive abilities Of high or
der. He was likewise excellent speak
er. and had a pleasing manner. which at
tracted him to all with whom he was
brought in contact. Mr.. Hall visited every
section of the Union in the interest of the
Fishermen, and succeeded in organizing
a large number of subordinate tabernacles.
About two years ago he retired from the
office Of grand ruler, and was succeeded
by the present grand ruler, Rev. Thomas
H. Shorts.
Under the administrations of Messrs.
Nichols and Hall. especially the latter the
order accumulated considerable real estate,
and this has been increased since MIR. Shorts
took hold of the helm of affairs, SO that now
the various tabernacles have fine halls of
their own in Hampton, Va; Baltimore Md;
Richmond Va; Providence r. L., and other
places. The headquarters of the order were
for long time located in Baltimore, but
when Mr.. Shorts became the grand ruler
it was deemed advisable to remove them to
Hampton, his place of residence. After the
close of Mr.. Shorts report, some business
of an unimportant character was trans
acted, and, after the announcement of
long list of committees, the Grand Taber-
nacle took a recess until pm.
Future Events.
Upon reassembling the various commit
tees WILL 1t is expected, make their reports.
1t is the intention of the Galilean Fisher
men of Washington to give their visiting
brethren and sisters a thoroughly good time
while they remain in the national capital,
and the following committee to attend to
this part Of the program has been appoint
ed: J. Henry Wright, chairman; X. II.
Daggs, assistant chairman; Thos. E. Scott,
secretary; George n. Campbell, r. ]. +.
Parker, Henrietta Parker, Hannah F. John
son, c. G. Baker, Alice v. Smith, Julia A.
Curtis, Annie Dodson, John c. Lomax, Jane
Lewis, Mary Hill and Emma Spriggs.