The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-25
PosTPoNrNG THE ELECTION.
Long Debate ON 1.-THE Investigating
Committee Meets.

Last night the special committee ap-
pointed by Supreme Chancellor Colgrove to
investigate charges of mismanagement and
extravaganza made against certain mem
bers officers of the Supreme Lodge met al
the Denison Hotel and arranged for the
work before it. Judge Gale, of Massachu-
setts, who had been made chairman of the
committee, declined 20 serve because of his
illness. Accordingly the supreme chancel-
lor appointed Representative Hanson of
Maine, in his stead, advancing Representa-
tive Bangs, of North Dakota to the chair
manship. The meeting last night was in
formal. Supreme Keeper of Records and
Seal White, who was one of those most
deeply affected by the charges, appeared
before the committee and was asked a few
preliminary questions, the nature of which
was not disclosed. 1t was announced that
none of the committees proceedings would
be made public until the report was in the
hands of the Supreme Lodge This morn
ing the committee will ask permission of the
Supreme Lodge to retire from the conven-
ton in order 70 conduct the investigation.
A stenographer will be appointed to take
verbatim report of all evidence that is
submitted. No outline of what the commit
tee will do could be obtained, other than
that witnesses would be summoned and
books be asked for just as in a judicial pro-
ceeding of any kind. Reporters were in
formed that the committee was of one mind
on the proposition that only a full and COM
plete investigation should be made.
The election of officers, which in the or
binary course of events would have oc-
CURED to-day, will doubtless be postponed
until the committee has finished it's work
That subject will come up again this morn
Ing, as 1t was made special order of bust
hess after debate lasting six hours yeSter-
day afternoon. The bylaws provide that the
election shall be held on the Thursday fol-
lowing the meeting of the biennial conven-
tlon Representative Watson, of this State,
ol1ered resolution yesterday providing for
an amendment to the bylaws permitting
elections to be held at the pleasure of the
convention. The point was made that the
resolution was out of order, inasmuch as
the constitution provides how amendments
to the bylaws may be made and that the
resolution was not in conformity with the
constitution Supreme Chancellor Colgrove
sustained the point of order. Representative
Watson appealed from the decision of the
chair. Thereupon Supreme Vice Chancellor
Sample, of Pennsylvania, took the chair and
as the appeal was debatable, the rest of
the afternoon was given over to speech
making. Most of the representatives seemed
to be in accord with the spirit of the reso-
luton, saying that as some of the candi-
dates for the offices were under charges it
would be We'll to postpone the election as a
matter of precaution until after the report
of the investigating committee. The only OBJ
lection was as to the manner in which this
point was striven to be reached. After much
debate the supreme chancellors ruling was
sustained by a very large majority on an
aye and nay vote-111 to 80. Mr.. Watson
then reoffered the resolution. 1t was read,
advanced to second reading and referred
to the judiciary committee with instructions
to report this morning. Representative
Watson's contention was that the Supreme
Lodge cannot properly have such a thing
as a constitution and that it must be guild
ed by its charter only-citing authorities.
is much latent legislative talent, not to say
oratorical ability, in the convention, espe-
cially among the new members After the
the prevailing impression of the representa-
tives seemed to be that the election would
to-day be postponed. Some of the third
house." who were in hopes that the election
would be put through whether or not,
seemed uneasy last night and expressed
doubt as to whether this would be reached
before next week.