The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-05-13
UNDER SPELL OF MARS
EASTERN STAR SESSION DEVELOPS
A DISTURBANCE
Report of the Grievance Committee
Which Involved the Suspension OF
Two Officers of II Minneapolis
Chapter Was Laid on the Table
1t Caused Much Ill Feeling
Several Delegates Withdraw.

The twentieth annual gathering Of the grand
chapter Of the o. e. S. broke up last night in
disorder at Masonic Temple.
The storm was brewing all day over the
temporary suspension Of worthy grand matron
| and the assistant worthy grand matron of a
certain chapter in Minneapolis.
When the committee on grievances aired
its report at the evening session the two fac
lions of the grand chapter lined up, and for
two hours and half the noise of battle
hurtled in the air. When the smoke cleared
away over fifty members Of the grand chapter
ter had left in body, and more walked out
later in the evening. with the declaration that
they would never again attend another meet
ing of the grand chapter in this state.
The trouble Is an echo Of the ancient Eastern
Star unpleasantness six years ago, which some
of the members Of the lodge claim was need
lessy caused by two members of the grand
chapter who stood at the time high in the or
der.
Mrs. Flora A. Pattee. worthy grand matron
of the grand chapter, ordered the suspension
of the two officers Of the Minneapolis lodge
several months ago. on the petition OF eight
members of the lodge who preferred charges
against them. The meeting was held behind
closed doors and the strctest secrecy was OBJ
served. but it was learned that the Mime
apolis officers were charged with certain ir-
regularity in conducting a lodge election.
The suspension was only temporary. last
ing until the meeting Of the grand chapter.
The chapter look up the report Oh the COM
mittee, and through the efforts of some Of the
delegates the report was laid over, which puts
the matter over until the next meeting of the
grand chapter in Minneapolis next year.
This was what caused all the trouble. What
seemed to be a majority of the members pres
ent favored the immediate action by the chap
ter on the charges preferred by the eight Min
neapolis members against the officers. They
wanted the trouble cleaned up, and have 1t
over with.
The greater portion Of the grand lodge
members consider 1t reflection to the grand
chapter that so serious charge against those
highest in authority In one of the strongest
chapters in the state should go without in
vestigation.
1t is no telling just where the trouble will
end. The grand lodge wound up the last of
it's business last night with the installation of
officers at a late hour. Nothing further can
be done until next year. but there Is dissen
ton on all Sides and unless the ire OF some OF
| the members cools down considerably. there
is apt to be a disruption. 1t is within the
power Of Mrs. Pattee, grand worthy matron OF
the grand chapter, to again suspend the Min
| neapolis officers until the next meeting AS
| the matter stands now both the Minneapolis
| parties can come in and claim their seats as
| members Of the grand lodge.
| 1t was stated last night by a well known
member Of the grand chapter. that it was
| feared in many quarters that the Masons, of
| which the Eastern Star is an auxiliary
| branch, would take hand in the matter.
Just how the report of the committee on
| grievances came to be laid over nobody
seemed to know, as there seemed to be an
| overwhelming majority in favor OF imme-
date action. There seems to be an estranga-
| ment of long standing between a certain
| number Of officers Of several chapters,
| brought on originally, it is claimed by jeal-
| ousy Of two Of the highest officers, some
years ago.
| The election of the officers for the coming
| year took place before the report of the
| grievance committee was received The fol-
lowing were elected and installed last night:
| Worthy Grand Matron-Mrs. Flora Adams
Pattee. Minneapolis.
| Assistant Grand Matron-Mrs. Addie Bis
SELL Litch1eld.
Worthy Grand Pstron-Patrick White, Earl
bault.
Assistant Grand Patron-L. Mathews, Mar
shall.
Grand secretary-Miss Eleanor Young. st.
Paul.
Grand Treasurer-Mrs. Sarah Milham, St.
Paul.
Grand Conductress-Miss Blanche Hand,
Willmar.
Assistant Grand Conductress-Mrs L. Nc
Kusick, Minneapolis.
The installation exercises were condu tied
by Mrs. Partridge, most worthy grand matron
of San Francisco.
The several appontive offices will be filed
by the worthy grand matron this week.