Omaha daily bee., 1897-06-13

knights OF Pythias all over the country
are becoming considerably worked UP as a
recent decision of the Michigan supreme
court is becoming known. By this decision
the so-called Improved Order of the Knights
of Pythias is allowed to use the ritual and
the jewels Of the original organization, al
though it is a completely distinct body.
The Improved Order OF the Knights OF
Pythas arose out of the rule abolishing the
German ritual, which, until the last few
years had been in operation in many strictly
German lodges. o. B. Richie, Chairman of
the committee on rules, at a meeting of the
supreme lodge in Kansas City five years ago,
reported that the ritualistc work should be
conducted in the English language ex-
clusively. This caused a hubbub, and the
German lodges throughout the country
awaited the action OF the next session Of the
supreme lodge, which was held in Washing
ton d. c., two years later. Petitions were
numerous from German lodges all over the
country.
Supreme Chancellor Commander Blackwell
held that the report OF the committee should
become a law of the order, and in speech
which was characterized at the time as being
unnecessarily forceful, urged the Endorsement
Of the committees recommendation. AS re-
suit It became law OF the order, and all
rituals printed in German were called in and
burned up.
The action occasioned a hardship to Ger
man Knights OF Pythas. Many OF them were
unable 10 conduct the work in the English
language, and, while they did not give up
their charters, they experienced great diff
fculty and annoyance. Some there were
that rebelled against what they termed
intolerance. These assembled in Indian
apolls Ind. and at mass meeting 1t was
determined to leave the present organiza-
tion and establish the Improved Order OF
Knights of Pythias. They proceeded TO adopt
the jewels and ritual of the order, and in
the main conducting lodge work in the Ger
man tongue.
suit was at once brought by the
original organization in Michigan to restrain
the Improved order of Knights OF Pythas
from using the jewels and ritual OF the
order. II was carried up from lower court
to the supreme court at Lansing. which up
held the plea OF the Improved Order OF
Knights Of PythIas, granting the members
the privilege they desired.
The matter has been in the courts already.
Wadeck lodge OF Chicago was the first TO
spring the issue. After the ruling of the
supreme lodge, Waldeck continued to use
charter was suspended until the lodge should
comply with the laws Of the order. The lodge
refused. and took the matter into the courts.
Judge Brentano upheld the lodge. The case
went to the appellate court, which reversed
Judge Brentano,s decision. II was then
taken TO the supreme court of Illinois, which
in its decision upheld that OF the appellate
court, the ruling being that the members OF
an order shall obey the rules OF that to which
they belong or cease membership.
German members do not take kindly TO the
one-tongued edict They claim, and many
Americans coincide with their views, that
the teachings OF the order should not be
confined to any one language or country, 1t
should be world wide, and every nation on
earth should reap the benefit. The fact that
the order was founded in Washington during
the civil war Is mol reason that the brother
hood should be cramped within the confines
of the United States The liberal element
hopes that at no distant day such action
blessings OF Pythianism will be sent broad
cast throughout the world.
The Omaha German members take this
view OF the case. There are three German
lodges in the state. All OF them Obeyed the
ruling OF the supreme lodge In fact, no
German lodges west OF Chicago turned over
10 the new body But although the Ne
braska lodges used the English ritual they
continued and stll continue 10 employ the
German tongue in their proceedings. More
over. the lodges have perslstently fought
gates succeeded in getting resolution passed
by the grand lodge, instructing the Ne
braska delegates to fight the ruling in the
supreme lodge, but nothing resulted.
The matter will probably come up at this
years supreme lodge session, but the promi-
nent German members OF the city do not
anticipate that the body will ever again