New-York tribune., 1896-04-03
MR.. JUDGES SUCCESSOR.
THE PHILOSOPHICAL ANNUAL CoNvEN-
TION
A NEW PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIETY IN AMERICA
TO BE APPOINTED.


The annual convention Of the Theosophicai soci-
ETY. In America has been appointed to take place
in this city on April 26 and q. The hall In which
it will be held has, however. not yet been decided
upon Particular interest attaches to this conven-
ton for the reason that II will be necessary TO
appoint or confirm a president Of the society as
successor to the late w. Q. Judge who was not
only the president, but the leader or director
in the occult field OF Theosophy in this coun-
try. Such dual control Mr.. Judge welded
is not frequent in the history Of Theosophcal
organizations The president Of Theosophcal
society need not necessarily be an occultist.
and the relative distinctions Of the two Offices
is best shown in the procedure of Madame Blavat-
sky, who. receiving her instruction from the Mas
ters in turn instructed, directed and ordered IN her
lifetime all existing Theosophicai societies. but
held any position in an official sense In
any external organization.
Consequently the fact that in Mr.. Judge was
combined these two obligations has centred the in
terests Of TheosoDhsts not only In America, out
throughout the world, the policy to be adoptei
and the selection OF his Speculation upon
the probable action and choice OF the convention
has been unremItng, both in the circles most IN
terested and In the public press. Yesterday, now
ever, Tribune reporter learned from a prominent
executive officer of the New-York headquarters that
the paramount question to Theosophists-that OF
the occult Mr. Judge, not the presidency
of the external organzation-has already neen set
ted. AS matter OF fact. Mr. Judge himself
named, or perhaps. strictly speaking, suggested
WHO should be chosen to occupy his place In the
occult spher. Three days after the late president
death a document was discovered among his papers
containing very emphatcally defined instruc-
tions on this point. The individual 80 named, IN
obedience to Mr.. Judges wishes. has been formally
selected by a representative council OF Iheoso-
phlss to enter this particular occutst capacity
;,,J. l,,oiftt uhp
person is a man. woman or child are unknown to
any one outside of this council, will the Identity
be known until the expiration OF year THESE
provisions contained n Mr.. Judges Instructions
and the council have already received the neces-
sarv directions from the different branches In
America authorizing them TO follow the written IN
structions to the letter. The council in question
which was also named by the late president and
consists OF people who to conduct the occult
affairs OF the society through directions receiver
from the new leader ana wno are pisasea moa ID
time has also been definitely appointed: The con-
s'WtS one ne exception the conven lions Of the
have always been held in Chicago. but one OF the
s 9 6 the to be- changed 10 New
York and although there s a feeling that there
cil anxious show It's loyalty 70 the new ieader'
acqulesced in the suggestion without hesitation. ,
,nnad ia bY no means confined TO the council, mas
much as replies to circular communication havz
been received from Theosophlsts from an par "
the United States expressing feaity TO the new neaa
occutst and irtinlang that ney nave the lui,eS'
confidence in the council. which. II is UNDERSTOOD
il made up entirely Of prominent Ne"-iorh ouSi-
men. ,, -, .h.. 4, u,as
The officer already mentioned said that u was
probable that the Unknown. as the new leader rs -
called would be present at the convention pu .hal
his or Identity would not be revealed excep, 30 10
seec, few Outside the council II VIII not eve"
ha a matter Of knowledge whether the Unknown
lives In America or not. $500 ,. ,.
Several nominations VIII be placeu De.oie, ~. ~.
convention for the office OF what may be termed & the
exfornai esdency ofThe society. but as yet there
arc no indications 70 show for whom the votes OF the
,nerrbera are likely to be given Formal resolu-
tons viii also he adopted !ndorsing ne ate pres, 81
,he council II is also understood that a resolution
VII be adorted stipl,atng that the heaIquar'e's
OF the Throsophists shall remain III Nc"-iO'A