The sun., 1897-11-18
|. 0. 0. T. RE1ROGRESS|VE
Grand Master Reports General
Lack Of Interest.
INSURANCE POLICY ADOPTED
The Sixty-f0urth Annual Session Ofthe
Grand Lodge of Delaware
Meets---Relief For Aged
Defeated.

The siXty-fOurth annual session OF the
Grand Lodge of Delaware, Independent
Order OF Odd Fellows, was held yester-
day at Odd Fellows Hall, Third and
King streets. Over Us representatives
from subordinate lodges including Past
Grand Masters, We're present.
1t is evident from the tone of Grand
Master Fishers report that the indi-
vidual members of the order in this ju,is-
diction are losing interest in the
workings of the order and that if
there is not a decided change the
effect will soon be noticeable. Speaking
of this condition prominent Odd Fellow
said yesterday that the reason for the de-
cline of the Odd Fellows in this State,
was the fact that the members do not
take enough interest in the subordinate
lodges; that they do not attend the meet.
ings Of their individual lodges and ac-
quaint themselves with what is going
on, but expect the officers of the Grand
Lodge to work the year round trying to
keep the order up to its former standing.
The morning session Of the convention
was occupied by the reports of the grand
officers, and the appointment of two
committees; one on insurance and an
other for the purpose Of making prepar-
ations for aged Odd Fellows. The Grand
Lodge exchanged greetings with the
Grand Lodge Of New Jersey, now in ses-
sion at Newark, n. J.
In the afternoon spirited debate en-
sued when the committee appointed for
the purpose reported code having in
view the establishment Of fund for the
relief of aged Odd Fellows, After a
heated discussion, lasting several hours,
action oh Sheteport was deferred iildef-
nitely. The members in favor of the
code presented by the committee made a
hard fight, but were outnumbered and
beaten.
The Odd Fellows are now beginning to
realize that fratcrnal organization not
having some form of insurance connected
with them cannot live, and so the ap-
pointment Of an insurance committee.
This committee reported that, though
the order was not at present able tinan-
cially to establish an insurance branch in
the order, yet they suggested plan by
which a contract is to be made with Il
responsible life and accident insurance
company which will yield the Odd Fc,-
lows the benefits of that company at
lower rates. The report was acted upon
favorably.
The officers that were elected to serve
the ensuing term were: Grand Master,
C. NJ. Amerman of Greenwood, Del.
Deputy Grand Master, B. +. Sheppard
Of Henry Clay; Grand Warden, John NJ.
Ross of Camden; Grand Secretary, Isaac
w. Hallam of Wilmington; Grand
Treasurer, A. Gilbert Robinson of Will
mington; Grand Representative to the
Grand Sovereign Lodge for two years,
Z. W. Jester; Janitor, David Downs. Al
ter these officers were installed the Grand
Master made the following appointments:
Grand marshal, Charles P. Maroney of
Wilmington; grand conductor, Alfred T.
Pearce of Wilmington; grand guardian,
Elzey NJ. Hill of Bridgevlle; grand
herald, c. +. Davidson of Milton, and
grand chaplain, John S. Grohe.
Portraits of Past Grand Masters George
NJ. Fisher and John NJ. Whitford were
presented to the grand lodge, vote OF
thanks was given the retiring officers,
and after prayer by the grand chaplain
the convention adjourned to meet in
Wilmington on the third Wednesday OF
November, 1898.