Evening star., 1896-10-03
T H E T n r EE LINK S
Interesting Points for the Proceedings Of the
Sovereign Grand Lodge.
Changes In the Laws in Regard to
Visiting Cards, Sick Benefits, &C.
Increase in Membership.

The seventy-second session of the Sow
ereign Grand Lodge Of the Independent Or
der Of Odd Fellows. which was held In
Dallas Texas. adjourned sine die last Sat
day afternoon. Every effort was made to
close up the proceedings so that the repre-
sentatives could take trip to Monterey,
Mexico. or return to their respective juris-
dictions. Grand Representatives WIN. p.
Allan and Fred A. Stier reached this city
on Tuesday afternoon six hours late. The
reception given the delegates was one that
each will cherish as a happy memory Of
their short stay in Dallas.
The grand secretary's report showed that
the greatest increase in membership in the
subordinate lodges occurred in the state Of
New York. the number being 2.o42. followed
by Massachusetts, with 1852, Illinois with
1,176 and Virginia, 1.125. The greatest in
crease in membership in the Rebekah
number being 3.255: Illinois with 2.651; In
diana, 1923; Massachusetts. 1885, and Mis-
souri,, 1926. The amount of relief expended
during the past year aggregated $685. :
| 92s "A. an increase over the preceding year
| Of $1O,6111S.
Among the amendments proposed to the
constitution of the Sovereign Grand Lodge
was one which sought to give past grand
| tives, which was defeated-S3 yeas. 91
| nays 1t is said this matter will be
| brought up again next year.
| The reason that was advanced for de-
| feating this amendment was that, while
the Sovereign Grand Lodge was always
| glad and willing to have the past grand
| sires with them at each session. In order
that they might be able to profit by theil
experience, still they were opposed to per.
| mttting or clothing them with the rights OF
| grand representatives, because 1t would be
| manifestly unfair to certain Jurisdictions
| The expense Of past grand sires while at
1 Ton a QaaQtnnQ plWQVQ maid
| the order at large.
| Aged Odd Fellows' Fund.
Probably the most important Legislation
| Of the session was the giving to Grand
Lodges the right at their discretion tt
create. maintain and dispense an 'aget
Odd Fellows fund.-" under certain condi
tions, for the relief Of those brothers wht
| have served twenty-five years in the OF
| der and who. through no fault Of thei
( own. have been deprived Of the benef1ti
Of the order through their lodges having
| become defunct and depriving them O.
| membership. Some provision for the re
| lief Of such members has been sought fol
| years, and the enactment Of the measure
The well known 'beneft law was amend
cd to read. THAT 1t be. and is. hereb.
made obligatory upon each subordinate
ledge Of the order to pay from its funds
during the continuance Of the disability,
weekly benefit of not less than two dol
lars to every member entitled to sick bene
fits by the constitution or bylaws Of hi
ledge. who shall be disabled by sickness
or bodily injury, from following his usua
| occupation or otherwise earning q nveli
hood for himself; provided. such disabilit!
| be 7 OF the result Of his own vice or i'm
morality; provided. however. that subordi
nate grand lodges may provide that whel
q member shall have received one full
years benefits the weekly benefits thee
after to such member may be fixed at e