The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-09-21

The thirty-flfth annual convention of
the grand lodge of the Loyal Knights
OF America convened In regular session
in Red Mems hall, West Scranton, yes
terday at 10 a. m. The attendance was
small. owing to the fact that but two
lodges Of the order are working under
the above title.
The convention was presided over by
National Grand Master Joseph II. Da-
Wis, and the customary opening ex-
ercises were gone through with. Rep
iesentatives present were: James Ley
shon, Thomas ]. Reynolds, William A.
Phillips, Walter wilkins and David
r. Jones, No. 21 David S. Reese, Will
liam Gray, Thomas J. Williams and
Isaac Harris. No. 81. Besides the fol-
| lowing large number of past masters
| were also in attendance.
The past official degree was conferred
| UPON applicants and the credentials re-
| ferred to committee. Grand Secretary
| Joseph Oliver then read the minutes
| of the regular session held at Olyphant
| and the special session at Taylor. The
| france committee made it's report,
| which showed a financial gain. Pre-
vious to the present year the grand
| lodge Of the Loyal knights of America
had been badly handicapped by an
enormous debt, caused through legal
trouble with dissenting lodges. At
| present, however, the grand body is
better situated. financially, than ever
before.
| ATTEMPT UNSUCCESSFUL.
One year ago when the order con-
Nened at Olyphant it numbered 1889
members. At that session legislation
| was attempted that would result in
| the dissolution of the order. This move
on the part of the dissatisfied lodges
was defeated. However they succeed
| ed in passing a resolution to the effect
| that lodges anxious to withdraw should
do so by paying a pro rata share of
tile Indebtedness. These lodges took
advantage of this opening and at once
paid their share and withdrew
Lodge after lodge took that course
until today the order, as said hereto
fore, consists only of two lodges, En-
terprise, with 206 members, and Key
stone, with 1S3 members, both of the
West Side. The report of the finance
committee showed receipts of the past
year to be ss3425; expenditures, $69S.15;
leaving balance after all bills are
paid of $241.64. Again the dissolution
matter was broached, but action was
deferred unit, the afternoon session.
In the afternoon the resolution of
dissolution was brought up and dis
cussion was INDUCED in for over an
hour. The same was lost and once
more the Loyal Knights Of America
proceeds along the course previously
laid down.
1t seems that the bone of contention
to the order in general was the enor-
nous expenses attached to the grand
lodge. At this session, however, all
expenditures that could be necessarily
set aside We're done away with, and in
the future the subordinate lodges will
not in any way be hampered in this
respect.
There being a vacancy in the offices
of treasurer and worthy deputy master
elections were made, and resulted in
the selection of Thomas ]. Reynolds
as worthy deputy master and William
Gray as treasurer.
OFFICERS INSTALLED.
The offlcers-elect were then installed
as follows: National grand master
isaac Harris; grand deputy, Thomas
j. Reynolds; recording secretary, Jo-
seph Oliver: treasurer. William Gray;
board of directors. William A. Phillips
Walter wilkins and William G. Phil
lips.
The officers having been seated the
grand master appointed the various
committees for the ensuing year, after
which the membership went into com.
mittee of the whole to consider changes
to be made in the laws in conformity
with conditions under which the order
at present exists. Why such society
should ever prove failure is remark
able to a certain degree. for as regard.
it's object and principles they may bt
compared with those of any organiza
ton in existence. 1t, however, has no
as yet failed and there may yet som,
day arise fiourishing organization
The objects of the Loyal Knights o.
America are as follows:
1.-THE Loyal Knights of America il