The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-05-19

report large losses IC- the years icSf-So,
| we f1attered ourselves that these condi-
tons wGre only temporary. and that We
would certainly begin to recover 10y, or
before this time: but not so. instead. we
continue 20 decrease with each selni-an-
nuai report-just where the trouble is or
what remedy 10 prescribe, is a subject
for the careful considerat. on Of the COM
ing convention of the grand lodge. The
time has come in this grand domain for
united effort on the part Of the men,
bership TO get their heads together and
formulate some plan 10 bring the order
out from the state OF lethargy into
which it serms 10 have fallen. The old
theories, that our losses were attribut-
q bic 20 removals from the state, depres-
sion ii business, and the various other
causes that have been assigned by form
er grand chanceliors for our losses are,
il seems to me. disproved by the later
returns, and some other theory must
Tow be advanced.
FTaterna insurance organiza tons. are.
n my opinion. the most potent cause for
cur decline. During the past few years
these more modern organiza tons, pre-
senting lie insurance and benefits ap-
parentiy much cheaper to its members,
and perhaps, quite as responsible, have
attracted the attention Of the masses TO
much greater extent than heretofore.
and our memberships are not exceptions
10 such more advantageous inducements,
and with much good reason. L is not
that they prefer the lodge work Of such
other organization, but all modern be-
nevolent organizations have latterly
adopted. and make some effort 70 place
before their members the advantages Of
mutual life insurance IN connection with
their membership. Each payment Of a
death benefit heralded-as il usually IS
TO the world has rapidly educated men
of more moderate means to the necessity
and as we'll, advantage of fraternal life
Insurance, and they have attached
themselves, in very numerous instances,
u such organizations, more or less. The
fact OF members thus buying member
ship and insurance in these more mod
e-n and liberal orders, has had. and still
has. q tendency, TO wesn the attendance
and interest of very many of our men,
bers, and should be subject for the
serious consideration of our grand
lodge convention.
NEW LODGES.
Warrants have been Issued for the In
stitution OF new lodges since the last
grand lodge convention, as follows, viz:
Sedgwick lodge No. 213. at Sedgwick,
in Harvey county, August so. 1896. Past
Chancellor L. S. G. Shepherd as ins:i-
tuting officer.
Walnut Valley lodge No. 1ss, at Neal.
Woodson county, December 10, 1896.
Past Chancellor I. z. Bartlett as .nsti-
tuting officer.
A warrant was also issued TO Latham
lodge No. 80. located al Latham, Kan,
their charter having been destroyed by
fire. I would recommend the granting
Of charters TO the above named lodges
as provided in the grand statutes.
CHARTERS SURRENDERED.
The following lodges have voluntarily
surrendered their charters since the las:
convention OF the grand lodge, ana their
ELECTS are now in the office OF the grand
aeeper OF records and seals. viz:
Edra lodge. No. SO, located at Edna.
Labstte county
Onaga lodge, No. 62, located at Onaga,
Pot.awatomie county.
Alvin Wood lodge. No 25s. located at
Elgin, Chautauqua county.
Our Home lodge, No. pa, located at
McCra cken. Rush county.
Sonoma .odge. No. 22i. located at Gar
den Plains. Sedgwick county.
Gem lodge. No. POI. located at Nc
Louth. jefferson courty.
Seneca lodge. No. 10, located at Scott
City, Scott county.
Leaora lodge, No. 107, located a. LIE
nora, Norton county.
Troy lodge. No. g. located at Troy.
Doniphan county.
CONSOLIDATION OF LODGES
The following lodges have been duly
consolidated as provided In sections 127
ard 12s OF the Grand Statutes, viz:
Cydon lodge. No. and Salina lodge.
(COnti1llsd an Sixth P4ge1