Richmond daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1876-1904, 1898-07-16
<, OF P. ENCAMPMENT.
The Coming Event at Indianapolis
Next Month Beginning August 22.
pondence Richmond Palladium

Correspondence Rich II ond Palladium.
INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, July 10.
The coming of The biennial encamp-
M Mt of the Uniform Rank Knights of
Pythias, and the biennial convention
of the Supreme Lodge to Indianapolis
during the week of August -, have
aroused an unusual interest In K OF
Z. affairs throughout the state. Great
activity is noticed among the sub
ordinate lodges and the indications
are that fully one-half of the Indiana
members of the order will be in at
tendance. 1t is the first time in the
history of the order that members OF
the subordinate lodges who are not
also members of the Uniform Rank
have had any part in the encampment
Hitherto ii has heen an affair fol
members of and delegates to the Sup
RENE Lodge. Members of the sub
ordinate lodges might attend but nc
part of the program was given to
them. They were merely among the
thousands of other visitors to the en-
campment.
This policy is changed here. The
executive committee which has charge
of the encampment this year has made
special provisions for member of su-
coordinate lodges by offering prizes to
be competed for by subordinate lodges
only. The prizes were offered only for
Indiana lodges at first, but on the sug-
gestion of Union B. Hunt. grand chan
cellor. it has been extended to lodges
outside the state as well.
As the result of the coming of the
encampment to Indianapolis and the
big prizes offered to subordinate
lodges, in addition to those usually
offered for drills by the Uni
form Rank, it is be-
lieved, the knights will come here in
larger numbers than on any
previous occasion of the kind. A
marked increase in the membership OF
Indiana lodges has been noticed during
the last six months which it is believed
is largely due to the fact that Indiana
is to entertain the encampment ard
convention next month. The reports
of the subordinate lodges made De-
cember 81, 1897. showed a total mem
bership of 81 ,029. Reports to June
30 now coming in to the grand secre-
tary show increase everywhere.
Enough reports are already in to indi
A good feature Of this increase is in
he fact that great many of the men,
oers counted as gains are old members
who have been re-instated. After a
years delinquency members name
s dropped from the lodge roll, and
history of all secret organizations
shows that the per cent. of such sus-
pended members who return is small.
If their interest in the order was not
great enough TO cause them to keep
dues paid up while they were
in good standing it is rare
that their interest is sufficiently
revived to be an Involvement
tor them 10 ask for re- instatement.
The fact that hundreds of these delin
luents are returning to the order in
Indiana indicates that the subordinate
lodges are much concerned in the COM
ng encampment and convention. 1t
S expected that some lodges will come
With their full membership.
The encampment begins Monday.
August 22, and continues until the fol |
owing Saturday. The convention of |
he supreme lodge begins Wednesday,
august 24, and will last about ten
lays. A railroad rate of one cent a |
nile has been made by all roads enter
ng Indianapolis.