The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-04-29
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAs.
LnbOrs Completed and Convention
AdjOurns-PrOhtabI Session.

Lnbors Completed and Convention
Adjourns-ProhtabI Session.
Fort Worth, Tex, April 22.-(Special)
The Grand Lodge Knights of Pythias
of Texas completed its labors this after
noon and adjourned, after one of the
most profitable and enjoyable sessions
ever held.
The grand lodge was called to order at
$3.50 this morning. The committee on
credentials reported that =. S. Beyett,
Alvord Lodge No. 214, was entitled to
the grand lodge rank, and he was intro
duced and obligated.
Geo. S. Seay of Dallas, chief supreme
tribune, now A. =. G. G. of this grand
lodge, was introduced and addressed the
body.
Brig. Gen. S. b. Hopkins, commander
of the Uniformed Rank knights of Pyth-
las of Texas, was introduced and address
ed the lodge on the subject of the Uni
formed Rank He said there were six
ty-One companies of the Uniformed Rank
United States. He had just returned
from meeting of the supreme council,
and was full of enthusiasm over the
healthy condition of the rank generally,
and was very well satisfied with the rank
in this state
The grand chancellor had read letter
from the supreme chancellor requesting
that all the subordinate lodges provide
themselves with copies of the decisions of
the supreme tribunal.
The next meeting ut San Antonio will
the twenty fifth anniversary of the found
ing of the grand lodge, its silver ami
nd h., Lode or Il
to fttingly celebrate it, the grand officers
to be a committee to arrange n program,
etc.
The pro rata tax was fixed at 81.
The finance committee was directed to
invite propositions for the location of the
proposed industrial school and widows
and orphans home.
A resolution of cordial thanks to the
Fort Worth lodges, citizens, the press
and the railroads was adopted.
The terms of officers of subordinate
lodges were increased to one, year. the
change to be effective December, 1897.
The committee on judiciary reported sew
eral changes made necessary in the
grand constitution and statutes by
changes in the supreme law.
The proposition for statutes to control
the acquisition of real estate and other
property by subordinate lodges was made
special order for the afternoon of the
first day of the twenty-ffth annual con-
vention next year.
The new officers of the grand lodge
were installed by r. l.. Ache, assisted by
e. Il: Hollis, p. G. c., as grand prelate
and w. Alex Abey,, Z. G. c., as grand
master at arms. The officers were those
elected yesterday. A gold-headed cane
was presented to p. j. Lebatt, 2. G. c.,
of Galveston. The speech of presenta-
ton was happy. The response by the
past grand chancellor was fraught with
deep feeling.
A donation of $500 was made for the
benefit of the Texas Pythan Knight. the
official organ of the Grand Lodge of
Texas. The budget of expenses for the
coming year was adopted, and the bonds
of grand master of the exchequer and of
the grand keeper of records and seals
were fixed, the former at $500 and lat
ter at $780,
The committee on the state of the Or
der recommended that all lodges be re-
CURED to insure their property, and that
hereafter no application for relief from
loss by fire would be allowed to be circu-
lated in this grand domain.
The number of district meetings was
directed to be increased, and the territory
included in each call reduced SO as to ex-
tend the benefits of these meetings more
A proposition to take steps for the fund
ing of INDECENT and infirm knights, wild
oWs and orphans of knights, and estab-
llsh also an industrial school, was unani-
mOusly approved. An appropriation of
5000 to begin the fund was made. and n
continuous appropriation of 20 per cent of
the receipts of the grand lodge from pro
rata tax was made
Grand Chancellor Brown announced
the appointment of Geo. Z. Gripgs of
Houston, tribune for five years, con-
irmed by the grand lodge.