The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-09-29

nuaL report. He congratulated the
members that the past year had been
one of prosperity and growth, some
thing that was hardly to be expected
in view of the times. He regarded 1t
as matter. for special congratulation
that the number of suspensions had
been less than half the usual number,
and that the interest in the order and
the spirit Of fraternity appeared to
have had wonderful growth. The
consolidation of lodges in the larger
cities, where so many were located,
was commended. Minneapolis had had
three consultations, leaving seven
lodges, but there was a gain in mem
bership, and the lodges were now all
stronger than they have ever been.
Faribault lodge dedicated a new castle
hall during the year, and the members
of the lodge were commended for their
public spirit in providing one of the
handsomest halls in the state.
The only casualty of the year was
the burning of the Ortonville lodge hall
Aug. 9.
Grand Chancellor Stratton defended
his action in granting the dispense
ton to the Twin City lodges to adj
nit members during the month Of
June at $15, on the ground that it was
for the good Of the order, that it put
new life into the lodges, and that he
was but following precedent, when he
issued the order. He suggested, how
ever, that the grand lodge adopt some
rule for the guidance of the grand
chancellor in the future.
Three new lodges were instituted
during the year-one at Dassel, Meeker
county; another at Biwabik, st. Louis
county, and a third at Madison, Lac
qui Parle county. The lodges were
urged to hold more public installations
of officers, because of the insight it
gave the better class Of people to the
workings of the order.
The number of deaths in the order
numbered but thirty three, as against
104 for last year.
In the afternoon, Grand Keeper of
Records and Seals Wheaton submitted
his report, a, synopsis of which has al
ready been given in these columns The
statement of the master of the eXcheq-
uer, A. C. Godfrey, was also given
and showed that the finances of the
order are in good shape. The receipts
of subordinate lodges last year aggre-
gated $48,130.63, which, added to the
working reserve of last year, gives a
working capital of $65, 730.4 40. Of this
amount, $4,S72.30 was expended for re-
lief, and $42, 124.S6 for the entire main
tenance of the subordinate lodges. The
cash balances on hand, June 80, 1897,
aggregate the pT1HCely SUM Ol 9lo, iooA1
the total assets (caSh and Investments
foot up $94,02O29 The receipts of the
grand lodge during the past year were
$5.SSO20, which is $3S0.20 in excess of the
estimated revenues.
Then came the election of officers, the
result of which is given above, and
closing the days work. At todays
session, the reports of the committees
will be heard and other important bust
ness transacted, among which is the de-
cision relative to the expelling of a
member from the order.
The following is a list of the repre-
sentatives present, only two lodges in
the state not being represented:
No; 1, Minneapolis-E. B. Mayo, A. F..
Smith and H. M. Weston.
No. 4, Minneapols-H. T. Ham, c.. A.
Greenwood and Geo. N Borden.
No. 6, Minneapolis-A. W. Skog and Otto
Laffholm.
No. Z, Saltwater. E. Jackman and A.
F. Wing.
No. g. Anoka-O. l.. Cutter.
No. 10, LIE Sueur-Roswel Tousley.