Omaha daily bee., 1898-08-11
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS MEET
twenty Ninth Session Of the Grand Lodge
Well Under Way,
EIGHT HUNDRED DELEGATES ATTEND
Routine Work of the Convention Is
Put Forward Rapidly-Cnndidntes
and Committees N~amcd-Ofil-
GERS Reports Read.
CHIT HUNDRED DELEGATES ATTEND

When the twenty-ninth session of the
grand lodge of Iowa, knights Of Pythias,
was called to order yesterday morning at
1890 o'clock in the big hall in the Odd Fell
lows temple by Grand Chancellor c. c.
Dowell of Des Moines there were over 500
delegates and members in attendance. 1t
soon became apparent that the hall, large
as it is, was too small for such a gathering
and on motion OF Supreme Representative
Hanley 1t was decided TO hold the re-
mainder of the sessions in the opera house.
Before opening the grand lodge in reg
ular form Grand Chancellor Dowell intro
duced Mayor Jennings, who delivered an
address of welcome on behalf of the city.
Mayor Jennings was followed by City At
torney w. b. Wadsworth, who in the alb
sence of Colonel C. G. Saunders was called
upon to welcome the visitors on behalf of
the local knights. He did so in a most
happy vein and both he and the mayor
were most enthusiastically received. Grand
Tribune Hon. II. II. Granger of Des Moines
responded for the grand lodge in eloquent
terms.
At the conclusion of the addresses the
past chancellors and representatives who
had not received the rank retired and the
grand lodge then opened in ritualistic form.
The first business taken up was the report
of the grand chancellor, which was pre-
sented in printed form and referred to the
committee on distribution of officers re-
ports.
Grand ChanceIIor's Recommendations
In his report Grand Chancellor Dowell
made a number of recommendations. He
suggested that the present plan of recon-
mending a past chancellor to be appointed
deputy was by no means satisfactory, as
while a majority of the lodges were prompt
in making the recommendation many of
them We're dilatory. He recommended that
the law be so changed that each subor-
dinate lodge when it makes a report to the
grand lodge in July should a
past chancellor to be commissioned deputy
by the newly elected grand chancellor. He
believed in the efficacy of a good Pythian
paper and suggested that the grand lodge
take some action in having an official Or
gan and making annual provision for it's
support. He commended that a law be
enacted providing that grand representa-
tives should be elected for two years, one
half to be elected each year, the odd num-
bered lodges could elect one year and
the even numbered the following year.
The grand tribunal, he suggested, should
fill a larger purpose than it does and that
its powers should be so enlarged as that
the grand chancellor might refer such
questions of law to it as he deems best
for its decision and that it's decision, when
made, should stand as the law until re-
versed by the supreme tribunal. AS it now
is the grand chancellor may decide a ques-
ton, a lodge may act in accordance there
with and this action may be declared H.
legal by the tribunal. Dealing on the
much mooted question of recognizing the
Rathbone Sisters as part of the order he
says:
This is an age when women have entered
nearly every field in successful competition
with their brothers. Woman's clubs, asso.
| Citations and fraternities are everywhere
and their capabilities as co-workers witt
men are universally recognized. This Is
especially true of the Rathbone Sisters
They not only accomplish much good among
themselves, but where a temple exists the
subordinate lodge is sure to be stronger
and more active. i would be glad to sec
a Rathbone temple in conjunction witt
every subordinate lodge in this domain, be
lieving the order would thereby bt
strengthened and improved in every way
| hope the supreme representatives from
this domain will use their influence in Sc
curing for them proper recognition from
the supreme lodge.
Condition of the Order.
The report of Grand Keeper of Records
and Seal Walker was next presented and
showed the following receipts and financial
condition of the subordinate lodges: Char
ter fees. $252; per capita and percentage,
81 ,9G6, SO: supplies sold, 50, 179. 80; dues
from suspended members, $S1; grand lodge
cards, $45; dispensation, 1886; total, $14,-
$50. %.
The order has grown during the last year,
the membership being at this time about
$4,000 in Iowa, the gain this year being
about 600; number of lodges in good stand
ing in state. 1923. The finances of subordi-
nate lodges show;
Balance on hand Dec. 81, 1S96......$ $685.
Total ......... 80. ................ 1921, GO7. 8
Paid in sick benefits ...,.......,...s 15,S35. 2
Paid In funeral benefits ............ 3,Sl0. Z
Total ,..,..,.. .,.....,. .........,...S 1866. 0
current expenses. ,.,.,...""....,S1 Ol 992. s
Paraphernalia and supplies. ...,..... 1873
Invested during year .,.:.."....., 1,Ol7.3
Assets In, subordinate lodges: Cash
Stocks, bonds and notes ......,..... 4O,sGO. 8
Paraphernalia and furniture. ......, 157, 79S. 2
Total .,.....,. ...... -. ..........,S 279, 1888. 4
The grand keeper of records and seal in
his report recommended that the committee
on printing be reduced from five to three
The report of the Grand Master of EX-
chequer Bennett showed the receipts to have
been S22. 25O.52: disbursements, SIT, 500. so
and balance on hand. $i,747.52.
Committees for the season.
After the past chancellors and representa-.
tives who had been initiated into the grant
lodge rank in another room had been re.
ceived the grand chancellor announced the
following committees and then an adjourn,
ment was taken for dinner:
Distribution of Officers Reports. +
oliver, Sioux City; Justin Henderson, Nor,
Springs; Jesse l.. Hill, Boone; h. p. Nor
ton, Marengo; Gene S~purrier, Clearfeld.
Grieyances-George Jepson, Sioux City
George Gregory, Marshalltown; G. C. Nick
erson, Maquoketa; X. j. 5. Halliday
Boone; S. q. Magden, Des Moines.
Returns of Subordinate Lodges. l.
Giesler, Wilton; c. d.. Dewing, Manning
NJ. Kahler; Traer: r, Il. Cook, Red Oak
l.. IL. DeFord, Valley Junction.
Warrants and Charters-Will O'Connell
Audubon; John F. Grote, West Side; j. A
Moore. Dunlap; w. C, Saul, Carroll; Il. +
Young, Pacific Junction.
Rules-Harry e.. Sloan, Marshalltown; !
b. Raines, Independence; B.. w. Jewell
Manchester; J. f. Rail, Cedar Rapids; !
f.. Letters, Upton.
Three vacancies existing in the standin.
committee ON printing were filled as fol
lows: Irwin ogden. What Cheer: b. vii
I apn TARga aNa ~ q lAA,na No.