The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-04-21
The KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.
Proceedings OF the First Days Ses-
sion of Grand Lodge.
REPORT OF GRAND REPRESENTATIVES
A General Review of the Condition
OF the order and the New
Lnws-Notcs.

Fort Worth, Texas. May 2O.--Most beau
tiful weather greeted the Grand Lodge o
Texas OF the Knights of Pythias on the
opening day. The city hail auditorium had
been tastefuily decorated with the orders
colors aud emblems.
About 500 knights were present when, at
10 o'clock Grand Chancellor T. S. Smith
raped the Grand Lodge to order
The opening of the session was in ritual
istic form. after which the credentials
committee reported 1870 past chancellors
qualified and ready TO receive the Grand
Lodge rank. The rank was then conferred.
Standing committees were named by the
grand chancellor
In the recess of the Grand Lodge tho
grand chancellor appointed f. II. sher-
wood of Gainesville No. :, vice j. T. Har-
ris. deceased. as chairman of the commit
tee on judiciary.
The printed reports OF the grand chan
cellor grand keeper OF records and seal
grand master of the exchequer and of the
supreme representatives we're presented
and flied with the committee on distribu-
ton OF Grand Lodge reports
The report of Supreme Representatives
7. LaHachc, c. T. Rolf and John NJ.
Adams.
noted the creditable increase in member
ship and In the amount paid for relief of
brothers and their widows and orphans, the
wisdom of late legislation by the supreme
lodge; important changes in the laws; their
failure to modify the law concerning past
chancellors by service; that a twelve
months residence is now required; the
growth of the endowment rank. and the
interest in the uniform rank.
At the opening OF the afternoon session
nine more past chancellors received the
Grand Lodge rank and Supreme Represent
ative r. Latiachc presented to the lodge
gavel made by +. W. Langley OF Wash
ington from portions of the battleship
Texas. II was accepted with enthusiasm
a communication from Brigadier General
5. Is. Hopkins, commander OF the Texas
brigade OF the uniform rank. was read. He
reports "A growing interest in the rank.
memorial was presented from Hiram
Cohen asking that the rank of past chan
cellor be conferred on him for services in
organizing Texas lodge No. at Houston.
Letters from officers of the supreme
lodge expressing regret at their inability
to be present at this meeting of the Grand
Lodge were read.
resolution favoring the establishment
of a Pythjan home for widows and orphans
was introduced and referred to a commit
tee, which wAs already considering the
mdyter. 1t was made a special order of
business for Thursday morning.
Charles d. Grace of Bonham gave an
interesting account of the manner in which
funds contributed by pythians were dis
tributed in behalf of the widow and or
phans OF Brother G. w. Crittendon. who
was killed by an accident in the Texas and
Pacific yards at that place.
An invitation was read from the grand
temple OF Rathhonc Sisters to attend their
meeting on Wednesday night and wns ac-
cepted.
Recess was taken until 9;3O tomorrow
morning
Tonight a school of instruction was held
for the exemplihcatlon of the secret work
in the city hall. Ruby lodge No. 90 OF this
city holding its session, opening and clos
ing in due form.