Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-10
THE GRAND TEMPLAK
DR. MANN, HEAD OF THE 0RDEn,
IN RICHMOND.
SAYS The CAUSE is GROWING
The brotherhood Making Gratifying
Strides In Foreign Lsnds a. Well
as in Americ"-The ApproscAinq
Meeting I'm Switzerland.

DR.. ID. II. Mann. OF Brooklyn, N, r..
Right Worthy Grand Tempiar. 10 thu
head of the Independent Order OF Good
Iempiars OF the world He is stopping
at Murphy's Hotel during his visit "a
Richmond. To Dispatch reporter he
stated last night that he was on a tour
OF the country, looking into the welfare
OF the order. He has Just been to
Florida and South Carolina. and IL on
his way north. He will. according ia
present arrangements, sail for Zurich.
Switzerland. on the 26th OF May. to at
tend the session Of the Supreme Grand
Lodge. TO be held there He will visit
four or hve other European countries
after the adjournment OF the supreme
body
RATHER WEAK IN THE SOUTH.
The order, said Dr. Mann, Is doing
finely In the West and Northwest OF
America. though it Is weak I'm the South.
with the exception OF Florida, where IL
fourishes. II Is far stronger on the
other side of the water than on this.
The banner grand lodge at present Is In
Sweden. II has 90.0o0 members, and
OF New York State.
The order is really a secret society. he
continued. 1t is In favor of prohibition
by the will of the people. IL is In favor
OF good, wholesome laws, and wants 10
see them enforced when framed. The
order wants TO promote a more liberal
education. and there IL In connection
with II study course, which has proved
very valuable. and which has nsany
graduates all over the world. There ara
over 1900 subordinate lodges in the
world. and eighty-fve grand lodges. The
order includes. also. over 1900 juvenile
temples for children. and has an aggre-
gate membership of about 10000.
LARGE FAMILY TO LOOK AFTER.
$50 you see.' said DR.. Mann, with a
bright smile. II have quite large
family to look after. There are more
members In America than in any other
country. but the lodges abroad are do
ing better than we are. We hold over
1000 meetings every week In the in
terest of the order, and about 10000
every year. We expend annually over
81, 900, 900 in reform work. The order "
planted in nearly every civilized coun.
try In the world. All the far-away coun-
tries, including China, Japan. Tasmania.
and Central Africa are doing splendidly.
DIR. Mann has been connected with the
work for twenty years. He has held
his present office for four years. and
for eight years before was Grand Chief
Templar of New York State. During
his tenure of that office the New York
Lodge was the banner lodge Of the world.
DR. Manns duties do not consist sole
ly of visiting. The head office Is In
Brooklyn, and there he Is occupied In
directing the affairs of the order In all
parts OF the world He constitutes the
Appellate Court of the order, and all
disputes are referred to him for ADJUST
ment his decision always being final.
HAD TO STUDY LAW.
So many legal questions are presented
that DIR. Mann had to study law for
some months after being appointed to
his present position. The object OF his
visits Is to stimulate and instruct. and
TO add an interest to the meetings OF tho
order.
DR.. Mann has naturally an enormous
correspondence. particularly when he ts
at home. and his movements are so well
known that he Is reached even on his
tours. Yesterday morning he had re-
ceived no less than forty-seven letters.
DR.. Mann will go to Washington as
soon as his work here Is complete.
VISITS RICHMOND LODGE.
Richmond Lodge Of Good Templars had
a very interesting meeting last night,
the occasion being a visit by DIR. Mann.
the Right Worthy Grand Templar. His
address was listened to closely. and he
seemed to make a deep impression by
his eoquence and earnestness. A very
fine programme was rendered under the
direction of the vice-templar. Miss Stubbs.
consisting OF music and recitations. Re-
marks of an interesting character were
made by Messrs. Boschen. Hobson. and
Trimble. Mr.. Joseph II. Shepherd. I'm his
address Of welcome TO the Grand Templar
on behalf Of the order and Richmond
Lodge, was quite eloquent.