The daily morning journal and courier., 1896-08-25
THE KNIGHTS OF PYrH1As.

The National Convention of the Order
 in Session-The Organization is Gen.
 erally in a Prosperous Condition-The
 Uniform RaDk-Important Sugges-
 tion Regarding Collection of Pay
 ment of Dues.
 Cleveland, O., Aug. 24.-The session of the grand lodge, Knights of Pythias, opened here to-day. In his report, Thomas c. Sample supreme master of the eXchequer, congratulated the order upon the healthy condition of its finances. The receipts for the biennial term ending March Sl, 1896, including balance of $29,059, were $1S3,600, and the expenditures $147,703, leaving bal ance oc $S5,S97
 The report of Major General James R. Carnahan, commanding the uniform rank, showed that the revenues had been sufficient to meet all the expenses of the management. The income of the biennial term was $1S,935, and the out lay $7,893. The rank has made steady and substantial growth. Some of the divisions had not been able to hold to- gether on account of the hard times, but the new divisions organized dur ing the financial depression were great proof of the stronghold the rank had upon the Knights of Pythias in gener- al Warrants had been granted for 104 new divisions.
 The following is an abstract of the report of Supreme Chancellor Walter B. Ritchie:
 Ca Al tlnf {Y, Irrr6 Iof stagnation which has been general throughout the world the showing made by our order is most remarka- ble. The number of members initiated is proof conclusive that the subordi- mated lodges of the country are active and earnest.
 We have lost some membership by reason of legislation on the German question, but it is a pleasure to say that the loss thus accrued has not been from the better class of Germans-they have been loyal and true.
 "The Catholic question in some of the domains materially affected us. In great many of the domains the lodges have set about the weeding-out pro- cess, and are permitting members who have proved undesirable to quietly drop out In addition to this. it may be said, in many grand domains the provision of the old constitution as to the arrearages working suspension was disregarded, but the mandatory provision of the supreme statutes has resulted Tn the lodges complying there with, and has very materially added to the suspensions, as there were many members whose names had simply been left on the books for years after being in arrears.
 'The enterprise in the erection of castle halls, securing elegant working properties in the highest regard for the ] membership, have all proven of untold benefit. And I can safely say that the order was never upon so safe basis as now. The receipts for the year end- | ing December 31 1894, were Si,020, 2S5, and for the year ending December S1, 1 1895, s4O32,s05 making a total for the | two years of $S,O53090. This shows a net gain in the cash receipts of the subordinate lodges of $96, ,492. | 'The subordinate lodges assets De- cember 31, 1893, were $7,6S054. and De- | cember 31, 1925, $S,o10,711, showing an | increase in the past two years of $942,- | 657.
 | ''The expenditures for relief in 1894
 were $l CTS, and in 1895 $1,a59, 696- | total, $2 494, ,374-an increase during the i past two years of $115,000 The num-
 Der of subordinate lodges on Decem-
 Der 31, 1893, was 5,99S, and December
 31, 1895, 5,502, an increase i'll the two years of 4S6.
 ''The number of members December l 31, 1893, 443, ,615; December 31 1894, 464,- 539 making a net gain of 20,924. As ev1- dence that the subordinate lodges are at work, the number of initiates dur ing the years 1894 and 1895 was 10S,192. This would indicate that the growth of | the order would be if it was not for that more serious question of suspen- sion for non-payment of dues. l q have given much thought to the proposition of missionary work. I feel l that we have abundance to do at home, and very fertile field with men who are in sympathy with every American, ard do not measure success as neces- sarily found in the products of the old world.
 l "The habits, customs, the fiXedneSs upon all established lines so prevalent
 in other lands would not be conducive
 to the growth and development of this l institution. I may even say that the | selfshness, the exclusiveness of the people of other lands, would not tend to promote the growth of this American
 order of ours. We are great enough to make it enough to do at home. For a
 month or two after the propaganda to the effect that the sacraments should be refused by the Catholic church to all who retained membership in this anc
 certain other orders there was mucf agitation.