Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-09-03
TWAS GREAT TIME.
Col. harrington Speaks on Knights Of
Pythias Convention at Cleveland.
The Colonel Also Found Lots Of Enthusiasm
for Gold in West.

Col. f.. c. Harrington has returned
from Cleveland, Ohio where he has
been in attendance upon the convention
of the supreme lodge, Knights Of
Pythias, and speaks in high terms of
the reception given the knights by the
city of Cleveland. Every state and
territory the provinces and Mexico had
representatives in the convention. man
who have achieved high standing in
their domains
There were 151 members of the sr-
preme lodge in atto ndance. and when
it is remembered that they have IA
legislate for a membership of one-ha,f
million of knights, inside of which is .
military department of nearly so 900
uniformed members, differed and or
ganiZed, using the same tactics as gov
ern the u. S. army, it will be under
stood that the supreme lodge must be
hard working body.
No one not seeing this military body
in camp and meeting their officers and
men. can realize the strength of the
military branch of the order. The
strictest military discipline prevailed
The city was gaily decorated and
knightly banners met the eye from
every public building and business
house. The great parade of the uni
form rank was regarded the finest ever
seen in Cleveland. Ten thousand men
were in line and whose movements and
evolutions as they marched through the
broad streets of the city created COM
ments of praise and cheers of approval
Many of the parade uniforms were
unique and gave charming effect to
the parade
Here would come regiment of
knights dressed il white. bearing white
umbrellas, thcn another with red and
blue then brigade with large Japan
eSe shades, all moving in military pre-
cision, colors ana movements changing
il the sunlight and sparkling with the
glitter of drawn sabres. The finest
bands III the western cities of the west
headed each detachment adding en-
thuSiaSm to the occasion.
When it is understood, remarked Col.
Harrington that every uniformed
knight is pledged to honor and loyalty.
and is ready to stand by the govern
inent for law and order, an army twice
as large as the L. 5. army some idea
may be had of the value of the order
10 which they belong. and it's influence
upon the destnies of this republic.
When asked what his idea was re-
garding the political outlook in the |
West. the colonel said that he was inn
pressed with the earnestness of bust |
ness men and their anxiety for the out
como Of the election. All seemed to |
share in the conviction that public SEN
timent was tending the right way, for |
honest money and the integrity of the |
government. There had been a gradual |
change in favor of sound money and |
against free coinage, ever since the |
Chicago convention. You have no idea, |
he remarked, with what interest they |
Are looking toward the election here in |
September
IF Vermont and Maine show no |
weakening on this issue and Vermont |
surely has not, it will be the greatest
encouragement to the sound money |
campaign, and be as discouraging to |
the followers of free silver. One prom |
inent silver advocate told me, that he |
would never believe but what their |
party would show great gains in Maine. |
till the vote was cast, and freely ad- |
mitted that it would hurt their prospects
in the West, unless Names vote was an |
approval of their policy. This man re- |
marked that the votes of these two |
states would be the first expression of |
the people on the question and was of |
the greatest moment to them. If in |
our favor you cannot stop Bryan's cleo
ton. and if against us. we realize our
fight is an uphill one"