Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1897-09-25
TROUBLE In
NEW JERSEY.
THE GRAND LODGE AP-
PEALcSFROM THE DE
CISION OF THE SU
PREME CHAN
CELLOR.
The Eastern and Western
Hemisphere, K. of P.
Officials Worried.
THE SUPREME LODGE sUsTAINs
THE SUPREME CHANCELLOR.
viii Not Submit-A Transfer of Allegi-
anoe Probable.

6ACo IODnDlos
Tbs trouble between the Supreme
Lodge, Eastern and Western Hemis-
phere and the Grand Lodge of New
Jersey has eliminated in an open rup-
ture.
The last named organization has been
ignored and under the leadership of
Msjor-GeReral William d. Needles,
the three subordinate lodges will in all
probability be formed into a Grand
Lodge to the exclusion Of the regular
ly constituted body.
The following correspondence which
took place will explain itself:
PHILADRLPHIA, Pa, Feb. 25, '97
To THE SUPREME LoDeE, OFFICERS AND
MEMBERS AND ALL OF TEE GRAND AND
SUBORDINATE LoDeE MEMBERs, JURIs-
DICTIoN E. AND w. ii.
We, committee ap-
pointed st the G.. l., X. of P, Eastern
and Western Hemisphere, state OF New
Jersey sitting at Trenton, N. Jan
uary 25, 1897. TO look after and act in
the interest of the G.. L. during inter
i'm of session, submit the following as
fair and impartial statement OF and
for our action in the premises:
At the Grand Lodge, which was '.eld
at Burlington, n. j., July %, 1895, Sir
John A. Huggs was nominated for the
office Of q O. against the wishes of Sir
W. III. Needles. While i'm the acs Of
going into an election of officers. Sir
William II. Needles presented charge
against Sir John A Huggs, accusing
him of attempting to bribe an officer of
the Supreme Lodge to defraud the
| Grand Lodge of New Jersey and S. l..
| The question was asked him il he pre-
sented this charge solely for the pur-
pose of preventing Sir John A. Huggs
from being elected. He made reply:
WHY HE MADE The CHARGE.
If Sir J. A. HuRgs would not run for G..
he would not press the charge. The
Grand Lodge accepted the charge, and
lappointed committee to try the case.
and in reviewing the case according to
the open admission of Sir w. H Nee
Idles, that he presented the charge sim
ply for the purpose OF injuring the rep
utation of Sir Huggs and blocking his
election.
And the committee further found.
that the party against whom the Of
fence alleged WAS committed, stated
that it was not their desire to make
any charges or complaints, that the
letter containing the crime alleged
; was shown in a conversation with no
intent, whatever. to be used as q
charge or complaint. The committee
in view of this fact and in accord with
+ Article 4th, Section 2nd, Grand Lodge
Constitution, knights of Pythias, state
of New Jersey, recommended the ex-
, oneration of Sir ]. A. Huggs; which re-
Z, port the G. l.. almost unanimously
adopted From the action of the Grand
Lodge, Sir W. H. Needles claimed the
right to appeal. By some means, un-
known to the Grand Lodge, q case of
committee representing the s. L. was
3 appointed by the s. c., who reviewed
t the case, and adjudged Sir J. A. HugRs
: guilty. (Sir ], A. Huggs did not ap-
pear before the committee, claiming
their want Of authority in the matter.
q On the 23rd of January, '97, the follow
. ing communication was received from
the s. g.:
q THE RULING OF THE SUPREME oHANcKL
III LOR.
OFFIoE OF SUPREME CHANCELLOR.
No 616 s. 11th St., Phila, Pa.
To the G. L., K Of P. Eastern anC
l. Western Hemisphere. of New Jsrse,
y and all to whom it may concern. At
=. tentiOn:
= Be it known, that Sir W. II
Needles. P. 6. O., having filed an ap
peal from your finding, action ant
" judgement, at your last session. upo,
the charges preferred by Sir Needle
l. against j. A. Huggs, now acting Crane
IN Chancellor Of your Grand Jurisdiction
d / appoint special committee to act OF
the same. The committee reports hav
. ing strictly followed the Supreme Law
: and find the evidence fully sustain
- the charge and establishes the guilt O
- of Sir j. A Huggs, in conspiring t
"a cheat and defaud the q. l.. of New Jer
sey, and this S L. out of its legitimat
revenue from the sale Of the third ran
h rituals. Therefore, they determine
n that he, Sir J. A. Hugs, be remove
- from the office of Grand Chancello
- until the session of the Suprem
- Lodge, September 18th, 1897, at Rich
- mOnd, Va. Therefore, it is my painfr
:" duty: 1t is hereby ordered that tn
said ]. A Huggs be, and is hereby, rt
IL moved and suspended from the oflc
r. of Grand Chancellor, K of P, of Ne
at Jersey Jurisdiction. Eastern and Wes
II. ern Hemisphere, until the conveniu
4e OF the supreme Lodge, September 49,
lv 1897 It is further ordered, that s
F. w. Thompson. 9. V. O., at once a
sumo al; the rights and duties, prero,
n atives and responsibilities of Gran
ne Chancellor. K. of P. of New Jerse
mt Eastern and Western Hemisphere. A
nd Loyal Knights will respect and ODE
as him as such.
n Given under my hand and the seal
III the Supreme Lodge this 20th DAY
ID January, 1897, P. ? XXXII.
WIN s. MOWER, s. c.
No seal.
gh Attest: VIM GRANDRRsoN, 8. K.R.
to Marked copy.
in
tv THE GRAND LODGES REPLY.
ty, This document WAS received on ia
uary 23rd, 1897, two days precedi
as, the semi-annusl session at TrentC
'rts N. j., January 25th, 1897, The @.
aty in reviewing the matter, decided
III stand by the action Of the last sessi,
ms. and stand in defence Of their Ora
Chancellor for the following reasons
T. First.-Under the Supreme Lod
asy. CONTINUED ON FOURTH PAG