The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-09-23

Olyphant, yesterday morning shortly
after o'clock. The representatives
were all present, with one exception,
and a large number of past masters
were scattered among them. The min
utes of the sessions of Tuesday were
read and approved. A resolution was
introduced by members from the Lu-
zerne district to the effect that the
Grand lodge be dissolved, and that
legal steps be taken to settle up the
business of the head body of the Loyal
Knights of America.
This resolution caused great conster-
nation among the representatives and
past masters, and several hours dis
cussion ensued. Members from differ
ent sections had argued the matter in
their respective lodge rooms for the
past year or more and were very earn
est in debating for and against the
resolution. They were prepared for the
discussion and much eloquence was
heard during the debate.
The various speakers considered the
matter in broad light and traced the
history of the organization from its
birth to the present time.
HISTORY OF DIVISION.
In connection with this it might be
well to state the conditions under
which the order has existed. In 1864
the Grand lodge, then the Junior Order
American Protestant association, was
organized at Philadelphia. From it's
organization until 1890 the order pros
pered and was spreading rapidly.
Members from the anthracite districts
at the session of 1890 became dissatis-
fled with the name and an effort was
made to change it to Loyal knights
of America. A strong fight was made
by the Philadelphia delegations against
such a move and the fight was con-
tinued until about a year ago. Not
withstanding this fact, however, the
name and workings were changed and
the Loyal Knights branched out from
the Junior American Protestant asso-
citation. The lodges opposed to this
move resolved not to accompany the
order now in session and dissented.
For several years past the matter has
been fought in the courts. After a
long trial in the Luzerne courts the
master decided in favor of the dissent
ing lodges and placed the costs on this
Grand lodge. After a consultation by
the board of directors and a vote by
lodges. it was decided to appeal the
case to the Supreme court. Briefs
were forwarded through the attorneys
and after consideration the report of
the master of Luzerne county was
confirmed by the Supreme court. The
expenses Of the case proved a heavy
burden to the Loyal knights and dur
ing the past few years its existence
has been anVtbipp bl,t rlaa SAINT
DEBT HAD TO BE MET.
This debt had to be met by the SUBJ
ordinate lodges and many of the mem
bers became disheartened and lost in
terest in the work. Thus came about
the introduction of the resolution
named above. The motion to adopt
the same was lost. but through another
resolution a few of the lodges were al
lowed to withdraw on payment of a
pro rata share of the Indebtedness.
An amendment was adopted allowing
each lodge one representative in the
Grand lodge for each fifty members or
fraction thereof. Prior to this, subor-
dinate lodges were only allowed one
representative. The recommendation of
the finance committee, making the per
!
per term was adopted. The officers,
named in yesterdays issue, were then
installed by Acting National Grand
Master William d. Morgan, of Scran-
| ton, with the exception of Grand Mas
| ter-elect Thomas j. Ford, of Nanti-
coke, who failed to materialize. The
office was declared vacant and Joseph
| II. Davis, of this city, received an
| oil 10 ha
of the Grand lodge. officers were then
| nominated as follows. for the coming
| term: Grand master, Isaac Harris,
| Scranton; grand deputy, w. II. Priest,
Olyphant; grand secretary, Joseph Oil
yer, Scranton; grand treasurer, John
| w. Jones, Edwardsdale.
| Following this. remarks on the good
of the order We're made by several
members and valuable suggestions Of
| fered to advance the order in the
| future, The session then adjourned to
meet at Scranton one year hence.
EVENING ENTERTAINMENT
At the entertainment given in honor
of the Grand lodge, Tuesday evening,
the Susuehanna Street Baptist church
was we'll filled and the programme,
| III lllltd III ytSlCiddy lSSutb Will one
exception. was carried out. Rev. II. H.
Harris, Ph.D., Taylor, who gave the
principal address, "Duty of Patriots to
Our Country" spoke eloquently and
enthused the audience to a high de-
gree of patriotism. The address of
welcome was made by w. H. Priest,
of Olyphant in the absence of S. j.
Matthews. Patriotic songs We're rem
dered and the building shook with the
harmony that blended within, especial
ly on the rendition of the Star
Spangled Banner" during which each
member waved the stars and stripes,
furnished by the committee.
Last evening Eureka lodge enter
tained the visitors with a smoker and
an impromptu entertainment.
At o'clock the hall was filled to
overfiowing, members from various
portions of the county having come
TO enjoy the hospitality OF Eureka
lodge. Among these was Mail-carrieI
Armit Thomas, OF Providence and he
become, by unanimous choice, mod
orator of the evening.
The following was the programme
rendered: Remarks on order, Messrs
Armit Thomas, Providence; William
II. Davis, Olyphant and Joseph OIL
Yer, Scranton. These were followed by
a recitation, Birth of st. Patrick" !"
by John E. Evans, Taylor, which elicit.
ed much applause and being forced
TO respond to an encore he gave
"Bruce's Address" William II. Priest
Olyphant, who is probably one of the