The record-union., 1898-08-07
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.
BIENNIAL GRAND ENCAMP'
MENT AT INDIANAPOLIS.
Information for Those Who Are
Interested in the Affairs
Of the Order.

INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 6.-When tne
knights of Pythias biennial encamp-
ment is held here during the week of
August 22d there will be held in con-
nection with it four international BIZ
ennial conventions. The most import
ant of these in many respects IS the
meeting of the Supreme Lodge, knights
of Pythias. 1t will begin on Wednes-
day. August 24th, and will continue
probably week after the encampment
is over The sessions this year will be
of vast Importance to the order on ac-
count of several proposed changes in
the constitution. There is also prop
osition to abolish the supreme body,
some members claiming that the work
it does could be as we'll or better done
by a small board, or Executive Commit
tee. The supporters of this proposition
are men who favor retrenchment in
expenses in every possible way.
Contemporaneously with the encamp-
ment will be held the biennial conven-
ton Of the Supreme Assembly, the
highest tribunal of the Uniform Rank.
It's sessions will begin Monday and con-
tinue probably until Saturday. Jointly
with the Supreme Lodge, it will have
ter, in which, however, it Will have lit
tie voice regarding the settlement Ow-
ing to the small income of the Supreme
Lodge, it is being argued that it should
hold its sessions quietly and at a diff
ferent time from the encampments.
There are only about two hundred del
egates to the Supreme Lodge, and the
cost of them getting together alone and
n
be small compared with the cost under
the present method At present the Su-
preme Lodge and the members thereof
become important factors in a big holi-
day gathering of from $4,000 TO 100,
COO people. There must be all manner
of entertainments, receptions, etc, all
of which costs large sums of money.
1t is always necessary under the con-
ditions that the Supreme Lodge meet
in a city which is willing to raise a
large sum of money to cover these eX-
penses. There is a proposition that the
two affairs be separated. either in time
or place. The Supreme Lodge may de-
eide this question as it pleases, but
members of the Uniform Rank and del
egates to the Supreme Assembly Will
oppose it.
The biennial meeting of the Supreme
Temple. Rathbone Sisters, the woman's
auxiliary of the Knights of Pythias, will
also be held in this city during the en-
campment. The committee from the
Grand Temple of Indiana, which is ar
ranging the details of this meeting has
provided a novel and decidedly interest
ing prize contest for subordinate tenn
pies. The sessions Of the Supreme Tenn
pie will be held during the morning and
afternoon of each day and the nights
viii be devoted to the enjoyment of
such pleasures as the committee has
provided. One of the chief of these is
the contest Of temples in comforting the
degree work. Temples from all parts
of the country are entered for the con-
test, and it will probably require sew
eral nights for all to complete the work
1t viii include the opening and closing
of the lodge and the comforting of the
degree upon a candidate. Cash prizes
for first, second and third. amounting
10 $500, are offered for the winners Of
this contest
The other international biennial con-
vention is that of the knights of Kho-
rassan. The Imperial Palace the high
est body in the order will be held here
John A. Hinsey of Chicago is the hgn-
est officer, with the title Of Imperial
all Knights Of Pythias, membership in