The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-05-11
CASTLE AND TEMPLE.

Chief Davis Casselberry, of Pennsyl-
vania castle. No. "a, for the post of
grand master of records. Five thous-
and copies were distributed. Chief
Hunsicker refers to the matter as fol-
lows: II desire to draw your attention
to Section IL, Article TX, of the con-
stituion, which states that such circu-
lars are wrong and improper, as they
would cause elections to degenerate to
the worst features OF political cam
paigns," and I have no hesitation in
saying that the methods complained of
herein were of the lowest possible po-
litlcal type. y"
1t was 1890 o'clock when the opening
session began in the Academy of
Music. Seldom has any organization
met in q more lavshly decorated hall
in Scranton. The balcony and gallery
railings, proscenium walls and every
other spot on which colors could be
displayed to advantage were covered,
draped or hung with the stars and
stripes and nations colors of red,
white and blue.
MANY LADIES PRESENT.
Knights and spectators occupied the
seats on the main floor. The front
rows of the balcony chairs were re-
served for members of the Grand Tenn
pie, Ladies of the Golden Eagle The
Allentown band, one of the three best
organizations of the kind in the state,
was stationed on the main floor near
the stage. It's several selections con-
tributed largely to the pleasure of
the session.
On the stage were the elective and
appointive grand officers and local past
chiefs and members of the general
committee. Past Chief Henry Geiss,
chairman Of the reception committee,
presided as master of ceremonies.
After a selection by the band. six
speeches, two each being of welcome
and response, were heard. Each
speakers remarks We're characterized
by brevity which permitted an ad-
journment in less than an hour.
George NJ. Okell, chairman OF the
general committee, was first heard. He
was followed by Grand Chief +. p.
Hunsicker, of Allentown, who dilated
upon some references made by Mr..
Okell to the principles of the order and
thanked the committee and Scranton's
people for the splendid arrangements
made for the annual session.
Mayor James G.. Bailey was repre-
sented by his secretary, Richard j.
Beamish, in extending a municipal
welcome. Mr.. Beamish remarked that
visitors to Scranton just now would
| find the city serious. Six companies
of infantry had gone from here to Mt.
| Gretna and nearly 300 more of Scran-
! tons young men were then on the way
| to the state camp. The attendant
| seriousness of the community would
not, however, smother it's well known
| hospitality. The speaker was author
| lied to say that any courteses want
ed from the mayors department or
from other city officials would be free
| ly granted.
MR.. TCBIN'S RESPONSE.
Past Grand Chief l.. II. Tobin, OF
! Philadelphia, made an eloquent re-
| sponse. At no time he said had the
country been more in need of the
sterling principles or patriotism and
of the uplifting of humanity taught
| by the order. He felt sure that the
Knights individually and collectively
would to a man be found ready tC
respond to any call in defense of theiI
country. In the present hour he would
not thing of standing with covered
head beneath the stars and stripes
which draped from the arch above
him. He paid tribute to the excellent
principles of the Ladies Templar order
and regretted that it's officers had not
occupied seats on the stage.
Judge II. NJ. Edwards happily be.
gan his address by a running sally OF
humor in reference to the Ladies. He
extended greetings from the county
1t was fitting, he said, that as a county
official that he should bear witness tC
the good influence of the church ant
patriotic societies upon our govern
ment He considered these two kind!
of institutions the country's greatest
safeguards. The upholding of the law
he said did not rest wholly with tht
court; the court and the law were onl,
a check, a restrainer; the observance!