The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-09-25
REFORMS WILL BE MADE.
The Next Session Will he Convened
in Boston.
MEMBERS FROM THIS STATE,
Especial To The News. J


sus of opinion among the Odd Fellows is
that Springfield has extended n wonder
fully cordial greeting to tho mem bers OF
the Sovereign Grand Lodge and tho
thousands Of visiting Odd Fellows who
have invaded the city during the week.
Inc capital of the great State Of illinois
has been gay with bunting and a display
of national colors. Inhabitants for miles
around nave We'd with the citizens in ex-
tending gilt-edged hospitality TO the
visitors and the week thus far, has been
crowded with important events in the
way OF entertainment and work Of the
order in it's various branches.
Rhode Islands representatives, j. f..
Farnum, q. Il. Mackinnon, 4. Il. Holden
and ii. IL. Perkins are located at the head
quarters of the Sovereign Grand Lodge IN
tno Leland 1ctel. which is the leading
hosiery OF the city. Representative
Farnum is accompanied by his wife.
Thus far in the session very little bust
ness has been done beyond the reference
of matters to the several committees. The
most important thing to the major part
of the New England delegation was the
selection of Boston as the meeting place
of the Sovereign Grand Lodge next Sep
tember. The West was strongly in favor
of the New England metropolis as it
afforded the representatives east OF the
Mississippi n chance To enjoy the sights
and promised hospitality. Richmond,
Va. made strong bid for the honor as
did Detroit, Mich, and IL required two
ballots TO decide the place OF meeting for
the 1898 session. On the first ballot Bos-
ton lacked 10 votes or n majority ana on
the second ballot it secured l0l votes,
which was comfortable margin and So
cured the coveted distinction.
Representatives who have been the
longest timo in the grand body say that
the facilities offered in the great capitol
building are the best ever enjoyed by the
Sovereign Grand Lodge. Tho meetings
are held in Representative hall, a spacious
and impressive chamb Der from which on
either side are life sized portraits in oil of
Abraham Lincoln and stephen A.
Douglass.
In the drawing Of seats the Rhode
Islanders had great luck as tho name of
the state was the first drawn. The four
Rhode Island representatives were there
for assigned to seats nun bcred |, 2, and
4. These were the best In the hall and
directly in front Of the presiding officer 5
chair.
Massachusetts, which was in front last
year had the m sfortune Of back seats at
this session. Ontario was at the side of
the Rhode Islanders and Maine was Just
behind them.
Most CT the Legislation has reference TO
tho Rebek ih branch although the En-
campnont branch will receive more
attention tnnn heretofore A proposition
To allow jurisdictions TO restore the old
Encampment uniforms has been pre-
sented, but IL will probably be defeated
by the Patriachs Militant branch which
will hold the balance Of power on this
question. The idea was to allow the
Jurisdictions to do as they pleased in this
matter, but there seems tn he determ-
nation to confine the uniform part ex-
olusively I'm the hands Of the Patriarchs
Militant.
It is more than likely that extensive
alterat ons will be made in the Rebekah
ritual as "a great deal of dissatisfaction has
been developed against the product OF the
committee Uf last year. Tho west IN par
ticularly hitter against IL and they cry
for change which will undoubtedly be
brought about at this meeting. The next
most important thing Is the rearranging
Of the visiting certificates which will be
changed In form and sold 10 the lodges
at third less cost than last year. lho
certificate is popular, lu5 the price was
kicked against most vigorouly. All OBJ
lection in this respect will no removed
and the lodges will DO provided with
neat and inexpensive visiting certificate
which will be universal receipt. An
effort will De made TO got tho annual
journal out sooner than IL has been done
bafOre and looking To this object the
printer will have to sign contract 10
that effect with q penalty attached. Here.
toloro thc journal hassnot beon sont 90 the
tevoral Jurisdictions until six months
after the ueotiug OF the Sovereign Grand
Lodge Ind been Leld.
Several ether reforms will be inaug.
uratcd ana the outcome of this meeting
will DO beneficial in many ways. Tho
great mass Of business, however. Is Of
little consequence aud many OF the
measures brought toward will be rejocted
Ihis Is tho work shat consumes time ana
Il O Sovereign Grand Lodge will have To
hurry. during its closing hours TO clear
tho docks Of all tho rubbish.
The program of entertainments as
printed In Tho News week ago has teon
carrie out TO the letter ana the weather
has been almost perfect. Springfield
after It's festival week will TO about the
samo rs deserted Saturday night and
Sunday morning when tho Odd Fellows
70 ropresenting every state in the Union.
Canada and many foreign countries will
start for home, MACklNNOA.