The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-28
GROSS ExTRAvAGANCE,
But the Committee Attributes 1t to
the supreme Lodge.

the supreme LOusses
From now on the bulk of the work of the
Supreme Lodge convention will be done in
committees. Representative Kline. of Penn
sylvania offered a resolution providing that
the last call for new business shall be made
tomorrow forenoon, unless by unanimous
consent. The resolution was adopted. AL
ready very large number of amendments
to the laws of the order have been pro-
posed and referred to the committees. With
few exceptions they have been killed by
the committees Yesterday afternoon there
was a big batch of committee reports filed.
One of the most important was that of
Representatives O'Neill, Davis, Pickett,
Sharon and Meyers constituting the COM
mittee on state of the order. 1t substan-
tiates charges of extravaganza, not against
supreme officers, but against former con-
ventions 10 this committee had been re-
ferred that portion of the report of the
supreme keeper of records and seal under
the caption Supreme Lodge Finances
which has already been published. The
committee reported that II had examined
the figures OF this document and found
nothing calling for decisive action from the
committee. In the report submitted TO the
convention yesterday the committee con-
tinued:
The receipts and disbursements are, tc
saw the least very suggestive Your COM
miCtee is unable TO discover any principle
upon which the Supreme Lodge could have
adopted a policy IN the past producing the
res uits apparent from the figures as therein
stated.
'"Ihe present condition Of our depleted
finances is the result OF system of frater-
nal business management pursued for many
years, contrary to every recognized theory
of raising revenue and absolutely defense
less from any standpoint whatever. The
+ nav hc Gal hdr of
followed during the period when Pythian-
ism was experiencing its most rapid growth
filled our eXchequer with almost fabulous
sums of money for a purely fraternal or
der and offered a delusive induCement for
extravagant and reckless appropriations of
money. which has evidently characterized
the legislative acts OF prior conventions OF
Clothed with the power to raise the
necessary revenue for the Supreme gov
eminent, the Supreme Lodge abused the
trust and levied nigh tribute upon sub
ordinate lodges by exaeting from them high s
plies. AS a result large sums were accun-
ulated, which seem to nave been treated as
the joint prey of the budget makers and ex-
officers that the source from which the rev.
enue has been wont to flow has now be
gun to go dry.
while it is true the disbursements for the
last two CD years are less than for the
immediate years preceding, this fact is
readily accounted for by the decrease in
revenue, which made it absolutely impos-
sible to continue the former extravagant
expenditures.
THAT radical change must now be made
in our revenue system is patent. The mat
ter is no longer open 10 argument. IL is
condition. not theory that confronts US
We unqualifiealy recommend a system of
direct taxation as the only correct, recog-
nized and equitable system OF raising the
revenue necessary to defray the expenses or
the supreme government.
I'VE have also examined the remarks of
the supreme chancellor on this subject. We
approve of his recommendations as con-
tanned therein. We commend both OF these
high officials for fulfilling their duty in call
ing attention to these matters. All of which
is respectfully submitted
This same committee cOmmendS the
Pvthian press which is likened to the secu-
lar press in the influence it has upon the
Pythian world. The papers are described
as the avenues through which information
free press" SAYS the report, is so firmly
rooted in the fundamental principles of our
American institutlons mat II needs no de-
we believe that the recognized American
doctrine of the survival of the t1ttest
should obtain. That each paper should
stand upon its merits alone: that no censor
shin should be held over them. They should.
however be guided by the true spirit of
Pythianism in all their determinations, and
at the same time should be fearless and in
dependen4 i'm communicating to the mem
hershin generally information concerning
evils. if any. which may exist. We heartily
commend the high character ana aDlllty OF
our Pythian editors.
thrown on several editors of Pythian papers
for recent exposures in their own papers,
the renort on this subject is interesting. No
action was taken on either of the above
committee reports. and they are likely TO
Occasion considerable discussion when they
are reached 1t is anticipated that the COM
mittee on ways ana means Will have an
equally interesting report TO make when ii
gets to the work of devising means of rails