Evening star., 1898-10-19


MALTA. charter, rituals. etc, of the Grand
Cemmandecy of Delaware and advised
them that they were violating the laws of
the order in holding Sessions of the Grand
Cemmanderv of Delaware after he action
OF the supreme body and made Themselves
llahie to be declared a clandestine bod,
They most positively refused my demand in
very insulting manner and treated me lii a
very discourteous way, claiming that they
were Illegally suspended inasmnch as sec
ticn 1, article XXI, had not been cnmplied
with. 1 then directed Sir Frank GRAY. su-
preme recorder to recover the funds in the
hands OF the treasurer, and liauidate the in
debtedness of the Grand Commandery of
Delaware which was DONE
The Suspension.
Upon investigating the claim that the
suspension was Illegal lowing to section
enc, Article XXI, not having been proceed
ed with. 1 found the condition existed. as
they claimed. and THE cdnstitution had not
been complied with they not having been
served with coDysbfsthe charges or been
given an opportunity TO defend themselves
or refute the same. and notwithstanding
.hat ."e OF the commanaeries continued to
act lnsuoordinatelyaiby refusing to recog-
nlze the deputy l had appointed for that
district, and still recognizing the Grand
Commandery of Delaware. and refusing to
pay their per capitaitax, IL did not feel lusti-
fed In proceeding against the subordinate
communicates for subordination when the
question as to the LEGALITY of the suspen-
sion OF the Grand Cenmandery of Delaware,
after obtaining legal, adRice, was in doubt
and not being clear assto whether Il pos
sessed the authority Vtn reopen the case
after 1.-The supreme body y3had act ed which is
supreme authority, and not wishing TO ssee
the interests of the supreme body leopard
lied or its prerogatives usurpcd, and deem
ing 1t fer the best interests of the order
L declined to further act, and allowed the
case TO remain statu quo. I would there
fore recommend that the case be reopened
the question as to the legality Of the sus-
pension of the Grand Commandery of Della
ware decided, and the case be disposed of
In a manner that will stand the test of
law. If needs be, and would further recon-
mend that the committee on supreme COM
mander's address and state of the order be
requested to make a report upon this part
of the report Thursday morning, October
20. as the first order of business, and the
first order of business en- the afternoon Of
the same day shall be a consideration of
this case, and the representatives or Of
hcers of the Grand Commandery of Della
ware be given an opportunity to appear
and be heard
Public Reception Last Night.
AT the public reception given by the order
last night in National Rifles Armory, the
welcoming address was delivered by Dis
tr1ct Commissioner John B. Wight. Mr.. A.
E. Wilson, deputy supreme commander of
the District Of Columbia. presided and in
troduced the speaker of the evening. Mr..
wight warmly welcomed the visitors, and
passing from this subject he told of the
method of government in the District and
urged the knights to use their influence in
bringing about more liberality in regard to
the District on the part of their representa-
tiveS in Congress.
Supreme Commander E. w. Samuel re-
piled to the welcome. The Danes OF Malta
Of Columbia Commandery, this city, pre-
Sented to the Knights of Columbia Com
mandery handsome silk American flag.
Commander George Ii. Pierce made the pre-
sentation speech, the acceptance being by
John f. May. ~
Tonight 'tha Bagdads" of the order will
give an entertainment to the visiting
knights at Malta Hail. and tomorrow even
ing banquet will be given a the National
Hotel by the members of the college Of
Ancients," section of the organization.
This morning a large number of knights
and ladies' visited Mount Vernon.