The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-05-20

and honorable organization as the
knights of Pythias, and in behalf of the
city government and all our citizens, 1
extend to you the freedom and hospitali-
ty OF our city. We are proud of our beau
tlful city, and gentlemen, you will travel
In many lands before you find one more
| beautiful, one more prosperous, or whose
people enjoy more of the good gifts of
Providence than do ours.
We cordially welcome you to it, and in
| vlte you to visit our public buildings
our hospitals, our institutions of learn
ing and charity, our beautiful parks and
public grounds, and I wish it was la ter
| IN the season that you might be able to
sail among the islands of our harbor, one
| OF the most beautiful sheets of water in
the world. l hope you will thoroughly
enjoy yourselves while here and when
you depart for your homes carry with you
the pleasant memories of Portland. I
thank you for your courtesy in inviting
me here today the first time that mayor
OF the city was ever present at the OPEN
ing OF grand lodge. [ understand from
your grand chancellor that you will have
ranks here in July, together with your
high officials from all over the United
States. | think you have selected the
right place, and that you will feel well
repaid for your sojourn in our midst.
Grand Chancellor Edwin Parsons re-
sponded in fitting language.
Seventy nine past chancellors were ad-
mitted and received the grand lodge
rank.
Grand Chancellor Parsons then present
ed his annual report of which this is the
substance:
GRAND CHANCELLOR'S REPORT.
Grand Chancellor Edwin Parsons's re-
port is full and interesting account of
the condition of the Order in Maine. He
states that the deputies for the twenty
five districts and standing committees
have been faithful to their work While
the reports for the year ending Dec. 81
1896, did not show a large increase, still,
Notwithstanding the business depression
and political campaigns, they show the
Order gaining strength and influence.
Since the first of January new energy has
been put into the work, and unusual
gains in memb ership made. There is
generally harmony among the lodges,
and this is pleasant to know as this is
Pythlan silver anniversary year. Public
installations have been more frequent
than before.
Owing to the adoption of new consti-
! tuition and grand statutes at the last con-
vention, new bylaws for the lodges have
been necessary. He would suggest that
the committee on Judiciary, or special
committee, be instructed to prepare a
form of by laws to be sent by the Grand
Lodge to each lodge, after approval by
the Grand Chancellor, as a suggestion
and help in the preparation of proper con-
else and legal bylaws. The Grand Chan
cellors say he has instituted keystone
lodge at Madison; with % charter mem
bers; M. l.. Stevens lodge, s. Union,
with 121 charter members; Oquossoc
lodge Rangeley, 20 charter members.
There are now at the Grand Lodge office
petitions for two more new lodges, which
were not received in season for Institution
before this convention of the Grand
Lodge. One of these lodges is to be To-
Gated at North East Harbor, Hancock
County, and is the result of the personal
efforts of Rev. J. r. Norwood. The 9th
er new lodge is to be located at Lubec,
Washington County. There are now pc
titions in circulation for lodges in ten
other places.
In compliance with the unanimous vote
of the Grand Lodge at its last conven
ton l at once appointed a committee on
Silver Anniversary consisting of the
Grand Chancellor, ?; S. r., Richmond
H. Ingersoll, P; 5: r., Benz, I. Chase,
S. r., Luther B. Roberts, $. R., Fred
Emery Beane, G. K. R. s., Wesley G.
Smith and p C. Augustus f. Moulton
This committee has already held a num-
Der of meetings and various sub-commit-
tees have been appointed and have been
earnestly at work perfecting the necessary
arrangements. While the programme
has not been fully determined upon it has
been settled that the celebration will oc-
cur in Portland on July 6th and 9th nexf
and that on those days Pythians of Maine
will have the opportunity of attending
and witnessing the grandest Pythian ceio
ebrltion ever held in New England.
Lodges in all sections of the Domain hive
been assuring the committee Of their
presence in goodly numbers. AS an IL
TOOK county has already agreed to I have
goodly delegation in line The entire
Board of Supreme Officers and p. ). o.
Blackwell and Ritchie have been invited
to be present and majority have been
heard from and have accepted the invita-
ton. The Governor of Maine has