The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-30
K. OF P. SECRET SESSION
COMMITTEE TO REPORT IN FAVOR
OF SIX CENTS PER CAPITA TAX.
Supreme Lodge VIII Have to Borrow
$25,OOO-WOnders of a New
Ritual SqueIched.


in secret session; that is, a session from
which no one was allowed to depart until
the doors were unlocked. All sessions were
supposed to be secret but the occasion yes
terday was somewhat like the holy of the
holes" of the old Hebrew Temple. The SUI
preme Lodge went into the most holy
place." as 1t were. There were a number
of interesting events in the "secret" ses-
sion. The forenoon was taken up with a
discussion of a new ritual for the Uniform
Rank, submitted by Major General Carna-
han. 1t introduced king, lord of the cas-
tie, herald and other monarchical titles for
the officials Of the rank, each of whom was
to be vested in gaudy habiliments. emblaz-
oned with heraldc devices. A representa-
tive from Manitoba, Canada, administered
a lesson in democracy to the American rep
resentatives present. While glorying In the
fact that he was a subject of the limited
monarchy of ''old England" he expressed
himself as believing that the spirit of mod
ern progress is opposed to all kings and
kingly titles, and for that reason he be-
lieved all such ranks and titles should be
cast out by the K. of P. His views were
loudly applauded, and the king, lord Of the
castle and herald, with all their lordly ret
inue, were stricken out and the ritual was
adopted, providing simply for generals, COL
onels, guards, etc., who may appear only in
the military uniform of the rank. A sum
amounting to $1,000 will be app. opriated to
print the new rituals.
There is indeed a lack of money in the
Supreme Lodge treasury. Yesterday COM
mittee reported In favor of borrowing $25, 900
for the payment of the expenses of the
present convention. The subject came up
in discussion of the sums due representa-
tives who have been granted permission to
go home, owing to pressing personal affairs.
The master Of the eXchequer asked for In
structions. He wanted to know whether he
must pay retiring representatives their per
diem and mileage In full or pro rata, in
proportion to the amount Of money at his
disposal. The introduction and passage of
the report above relieved him from his en-
barrassment, and all members of the SUI
preme Lodge will be paid SIS day for at
tending the convention and cents q mile
for transportation.
There was no discussion Of the Endowment
Rank and the condition of its finances. That
subject was made the special order for this
morning at o'clock. AS the time for the
discussion of this important subject draws
near there is intense feeling over it, and
some warm times are anticipated.
A SIX CENTS PER CAPITA TAX.
AS yet the committee on ways and means
has not made any recommendation as to the
future finances of the Supreme Lodge. The
committee is about to report in favor of a
per capita tax of cents. The committee
will also recommend that supplies shall be
under the control of q committee. Hereafter
supplies will be furnished only by this COM
mittee, which is to procure them by COM
petitive bids. BY this means 1t is hoped to
cut down the cost to subordinate lodges very
materially, and still furnish the Supreme
Lodge with an income from profits that
shall be more fair: There is growing SEN
timent In favor of the Supreme Lodge own
Ing the dies for its own Jewels, so that the
profit from them shall not go to private con-
Germs, as heretofore. 1t is believed that this
VIII work another large saving to the order.
With the money from this source, the rep
resentative tax and a per capita tax, there
is a feeling that the Supreme Lodge will
have ample funds on an economical basis.
"A per capita tax Of cents would produce
about $4,000 year. This with the income
each Grand Lodge now pays a tax of $25 a
year on each member of the Supreme
Lodge, In the case of Indiana $125-it is be-
leved by the committee will be sufficient.
Some of the representatives say there is
danger always to be apprehended from a
large per capita tax, as it creates a surplus
e
conventions to make extravagant appropria-
lions. Such men will in all probability OPP
pose the recommendation of the committee
on ways and means for a 6-cent tax and
will assert that it ought not to be more than
cents-$20,OOO year-or cents, $685. 900 a
year-at most.
INVESTIGATION REPORT.
This morning the committee on investiga-
ton will submit it's report. Last night
Tracy r. Bangs, of North Dakota, chair
20
to the stenographer of the committee. The
report will not show that the committee
has found any officer guilty of dishonesty
or malfeasance. 1t will. however, point to
looseness and will indicate that the finance
committee has not in the past had as much
supervision over affairs as might have been
wished for. There will not be a transcript
of the evidence adduced before the COM
mlttee presented with the report, as it will
take the stenographer week or ten days
to make the transcript.
1t seems to be a foregone conclusion that
the supreme tribunal will not be abolished,
but that Ii will be reduced to three MEM
bers The machine is in the saddle against
Recorder Kennedy, of the tribunal, and has
been ever since certain disclosures were
made in this city. Mr.. Kennedy holds his
office as recorder by appointment of the
tribunal under the present laws of the or
der. resolution was yesterday introduced,
the purpose of which is to knock his official
L
the recorder of the tribunal shall himself
be a member of that body a very simple
thing and altogether unharmful on its face,
but as Mr.. Kennedy is not a member of the
supreme tribunal, if the amendment to the
laws is passed his head will fall. He was
looking rather forlorn last night at the
prospect of losing a good salary, with GER
tain perquisites, not the least of which is in
having his travelling expenses and hotel
bills paid on the semi-annual junkets of the
tribunal when it goes to different parts of
the country for its sittings. The machine
number of the reelected supreme officers
are very bitter against Kennedy.
AS TO HINSEY'S FATE.
No one is undertaking to predict what will
become of John A. Hinsey, president of the
board of control of the endowment fund
At this time two members of the board are
to be elected. Mr.. Hinsey holds over until
1900 as a member of the board, but the SUI
preme Lodge elects the president of the
not be entirely displaced. and some of the
long-headed business men, even among the
insurgents" are expressing doubt as to the
policy of electing new man over Mr.. Hin.
sey's head as president of the board. fear.
| ing the effect ii might have on the Endow-
ment Rank A good deal will depend or
| what comes up at the discussion of the en-.
| dowment fund tangle on the special order
| this morning.
| The newspapers, II seems have done ar
| injustice to Major General Carnahan, of the
Uniform. Rank, in stating that by his owr
manipulation he was the only man eligible
| to that office. Under the laws of the order
it appears the Uniform Rank is an indie