The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-07-08
QUITE A BREACH DEVELOPS.
DISPUTE BETWEEN CALIFORNIA
LODGES CREATE FACTIONS
IN CONVENTION.
Apparently Have the MajOrity-EIIxs
to Do MinnetOnka
Today.

theater yesterday morning, and SO
heated was the debate over the Golden
| Gate trouble that when the session adj
journed until afternoon at l2:45 o'clock
the matter under discussion had not
yet been voted upon or settled,
At the opening of the session the
committee on credentials made its re-
port, showing that there were present
in attendance 34S grand lodge members
whose credentials had been approved.
There had been no contests, and the
work of the committee had not been
fraught with great troubles.
The next matter was the settlement
! of the San Francisco difficulty. 1t
seems that the Golden Gate lodge had
been in bad repute, with the result
that the grand lodge had disbanded it,
leaving authority with the grand
exalted ruler to reinstate the lodge, II
it was thought proper in his judgment,
after investigation. The grand exalted
ruler investigated and thought it prop
CT instead of reinstating, to take the
better element of Golden Gate lodge
and from it form a new lodge. This
was done. and the result was San
Francisco lodge. No sooner was San
Francisco launched than the ousted
members of Golden Gate lodged pro-
test with the grand lodge upon legal
grounds 1t was claimed that as the
grand exalted ruler only had authority
to disband Golden Gate, that was the
only action for which he had authority,
and hence all the action taken by him,
even if for the best interests of the
order, were illegal.
During the whole morning members
had the floor by turn, speaking on
either side. Some favored the action of
the grand exalted ruler, saying that
he should be allowed some little lati-
tude for settling matters speedily with
out having to await full authority from
the grand lodge. II looked rather
bright for San Francisco lodge when
]. B. Cotton, past exalted ruler of
Duluth lodge took the floor in an i'm
pasSioned speech in favor Of Golden
Gate. So we'll did he speak on legal
grounds, that friends and opponents
alike cheered him to the echo. After
his speech the session adjourned until
afternoon.
The contest was not taken up by the
grand lodge in the afternoon. 1t
seemed that the speech of J. B. Cotton,
in the morning, was not on the side or
the majority, and in order to allow its
effects to wear off it was voted to take
up the matter of selecting the next
place of meeting of the grand lodge
and the place for holding the attendant
reunion. Speeches were limited ten
minutes each. Invitations were ex-
tended on behalf of New Orleans, In
dianapolis, Omaha and Grand Rapids
1t was New Orleans, with her claim
for recognition from the far South that
wen out. 1t looked as if there would
be a fight, for at the outset a motion
carried to have the ballot by roll call
instead of ballot. This would make
every man go on record with his vote.
There was considerable excitement as
the ballot progressed. but the great
work done by the advance guard of
New Orleans had told the tale and the
result was a winning for the Crescent
City With five votes to spare. Of
course the Southern delegation went
wild and the vote was made unani-
nous at once.
Louisville gained the next highest
number of votes. Omaha next and In
dianapolis next. The members were
tired of work and a. motion to adjourn
was carried, which took all other mat
tiers over until today. The grand pa
rade and prize drills come today, as
We'll as the election of officers.
Unquestionably, the Developments of YES
teroays grand lodge session have w.dened
the breach between the two factions in that
body. 1t was the secret intention of Grand
Exalted Ruler DetweiIer to have the report
of the committee on appeals respecting the
Golden Gate lodge controversy adopted with
as little time and friction as possible. An
and the ostracised Golden Gate lodge united
forces and assumed the aggressive in the
issue. 1t was conceded last evening that the
light put up by the Western lodge tended to
injure the strength of the exalted ruler and
offset in a measure the additional power
which he drew to himself through the abi-
ity of his annual report.
Even the question of the selection of
site for the reunion for 1898 was construed
by some as defeat for the present admins
tration. By the latter is meant the exalted
Without exception, the position of the grand
secretary, George A. Reynolds, is considered
apart from that OF the other members of the
official head. He is understood by many
members not to be in sympathy with certain
actions that have been executed, and
through his non-commital course has drawn
upon himself the good will of nearly all
members. The work of today is eagerly
ticipated. 1t is expected to be interesting
from more points than one.
If the grand lodge succeeds in sustaining
the action of the exalted ruler in his FRS
co decision, there is no doubt the Myers case
will not occupy much time. The fight on it
will hinge almost entirely on the outcome
of the Western lodge. careful canvass last
evening, however. developed the fact that a
majority will probably rule in favor of the
exalted ruler today. The forces from the
East and those from the middle West are
strong for Detweiler and favor his action.
He VIII likely be sustained in the election
which takes place perhaps today.
1t will not be a walk-away by any means
despite the profeSsed confidence of his sup
porters. The latter are charged by their
opponents with confidence, ard rumors
OF the extent of the strength of Jewett are
| circulated. The Allen forces are quiet. Lit
tie was heard from them yesterday beyond
an occasional reference. Speculation con-
corning Detwi!er alone, and the probability
OF his reelection, although mother name in
particular was mentioned as his successor
The Cincinnati delegation is on the alert
any enort to shelve the Meyers case VIII be
watched closely. 1t was stated last evening
tnat tine committee on appeals would make
but brief reference to the matter. and that
natl men say differently.
There was a change in the standing re-
garding other offices. 1t is fairly reasona biz.
to infer that their reelection is practical
certainty.