The times., 1898-10-19
Public Reception Given by the
Order of Malta.
THE FLAG PRESENTATION
Commissioner Wight Tenders the
Visitors the Freedom of the City
His Tribute to the Motives and
Principles of the OrRnnfxation-A
Today.

last night. Notwithstanding the unfav-
orable weather the attendance was quite
large. Commissioner Wight welcomed
the Knights to Washington in brief
speech and several of the Knights re-
piled in an equally happy vein.
The armory was suitably decorated for
the occasion, the walls being festooned
with streamers of red, white and blue
The members of the Supreme Command
cry occupied seats on the platform be-
hind dense array of palms and tropical
plants. Weber's Orchestra was stationed
at one end of the platform and through
out the reception played patriotic airs.
The proceedings were opened by Com
mander Wilson. He introduced Commits
sioner Wight, who was heartily applauded
as he arose to speak. He said:
1T gives me great pleasure, in behalf
of the Commissioners OF the District OF
Columbia and the people OF the national
capital, to welcome you to our beautiful
city. Usually the month OF October is
our loveliest month, and am very sorry
for the inclement weather tonight. Your
motives and principles are so grand that.
aside from the personality represented
by the delegates in attendance at this
convention, it could not be otherwise
than a pleasure to the people of Wash
ington to have you assemble here in an
nual convention
Everyone is interested in the story of
the origin of the organization, and what
It has accomplished. This is more than
an ordinary welcome"
Mr.. Wight then extended the freedom
of the city to the knights. and trusted
that they would have a pleasant time.
Commissioner Wight was followed with
a brief speech by Supreme Grand Com
mander Samuel. He said that it was
pleasure and an honor to be welcomed to
the capital by Commissioner Wight, and
Oh behalf of the knights he thanked him.
The members of the Washington COM
rnanderies had treated the visitors royal
ly. he said. and he wished to thank them
also.
Following Mr. Samuels remarks there
was a flag presentation TO Columbia Com
mandery. of this city, by the ladies OF
the commandery, the committee compris-
ing Mrs. +. c. McCarthan. Mrs. w. s.
Miller. Miss Mamie Selby. Miss Allie Nc
Cathran, Mrs r. b. Buckley, Mrs. NJ. f.
Jones Mrs NJ ]. Martin, Mrs. James
Washburn. Miss NJ. McCathran. Miss NJ.
Evans. Miss Daisy. and Miss Jessa Sim
ons.
Captain General Buckley. of Columbia
Commandery, presented tho flag on be-
half of the ladies through Past Supreme
Commander George Pierce. IN presenting
the flag Commander Pierce said:
When the order of Malta first planted
its standard in the city of Washington
.Iz ~ do day IN,
that day we felt It to be happy augury
for the future of Malta on the American
continent Malta started with the Capital
City Commandery. and it was not long
before three more Communicates We're
formed. When those Communicates were
established here the organization became
a national institution. Its ranks in the
Capital City are made up of men from
all over the country and the world. Malta
is therefore at home in Washington"
Continuing. the speaker paid a glowing
tribute to the American flag.
Generalissimo May. in a brief speech,
replied that IN accepting the flag on be-
half of Columbia Commandery he was
performing one of the happiest acts of
his life. He spoke in praise of the wives
and daughters of the members of Column
bia Commandery. Commander Hammond
of Columbia Commandery. also spoke in
receiving the nag.
When he concluded his remarks some
one proposed three cheers for the flag
which were given in an enthusiastic fash
ion. after which the orchestra rendered
the Star Spangled Banner" The floor
was cleared then and those present
danced until a late hour.
AT the business session yesterday Sir
David ]. Robinson was admitted to the su-
preme order from the State of Massachu-
setts. The following were also admitted:
D. s. Rettew, T. y. Cooper. Perry ]. NJ.
Heindel, George E. Grove. Rev. J. G.
Boughter. Rev. c. w Welch, t c.
Smith, Harry Wheeler, James s. Walker.
]. NJ. Foster, A X Walker, Henry
Wright, John Leidensberger, Jacob II.
Smyser, H. R. Fulmer. J. B. Kiefer. D. Il.
Trout and A. H. Lukenbach, of Penn
sylvania; W. w. Savage, of Massachu-
setts; Charles E. Schuyler. Charles B.
Leigh and F. F. Casseday, of Minnesota;
John NJ Devore. of New York; C. C. Pills
bury and John W. Brown. of Wisconsin,
and A. B. Linsbury, of New Jersey.
Grand Commander Samuel delivered his
annual address to the meeting. He said
that amidst all the rivalres and activities
which the order had encountered it had
completed the history of another year of
the order in a most satisfactory way. The
past year, he said, had been remarkable
for the harmony, fraternal feeling and
good fellowship which existed among the
knights. When war was declared with
Spain n vast number of the knights,
moved by the same spirit that actuated
them in the days of the Crusade joined
the American army to fight against the
nations enemy. He recommended that a
suitable memorial be prepared and pub
lished with the records of the convocation
in honor of these knights.
The following committee on organiza-
ton was appointed: Walden Smith, John
w. Hicks, George w. Deviney. George
II. Pierce, A. r. Walker and Charles F.
Schuyler.
About one hundred of the knights and
ladies will meet this morning at
o'clock and make trip to Mount Ver-
non.
Yesterday afternoons session of the
knights was devoted principally to the
report of DIR. George C. Young, on chro-
nology, who related the history and
growth of the organization.
A motion was made to change the
daily hours of meeting so that members
might be allowed time to view the city
during the convocation but it was over
ruled. A motion to begin the morning
meetings at $3.50 and close at 1880 p. m,
and the afternoon meetings at 2:3O and
close at $50 p. m. was agreed to.
press committee, consisting of Messrs.
c. S. Jones, George II. Pierce and Mr..
Wilson, was appointed.
Removed from 457 Pa. Ave.