Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-09-07

had subsidized Grand Commander Smith |
called upon Sir Knight Thomas Kelley |
OF Brooklyn, N. y, to reply for the
which he did in most
pleasing speech. .Mr. Mayor and Most
Eminent Sirs," Mr.. Kelley said, lit
is very true that we arrived yesterday,
as has Just been said, but not exactly
as strangers, as the fame OF your city
was we'll known to us before we came.
We have hoard OF you many time
before. l noticed on your vest, Mr..
Mayor, Maltese Cross do not
know how you came by it, nor does
it matter how you got it, but you
must be valiant warrior to have
acquired it. We trust that you may
have long life and much success
We shall take away with us most
pleasant recollections OF you and
your beautiful and hospitable city.
You did not meet us at tho portals
with great wooden kay and open
the doors for us. We knew we were
welcome and that was not necessary.
We have found open doors on every
side and those OF us who wear the
black and red ribbon find it impossible
to pay for anything. You $40 before
you, Mr.. Mayor, a most remarkable
body Of men, with all tho privileges
OF the city. 1t must be the wonderful
climate of Delaware that allows them
to carry the hospitality bestowed upon
them and come here this afternoon.
We have been riding on the street
cars, visiting points Of interest and
taxing everything in and there is moth
ing TO pay. We do not know who
is paying for it. l assure you that
we will carry to the end of our lives
recollectons OF the pleasant visit to
Wilmington, the great welcome We
have receivedand the liherality of her
people. Henceforth there will be o
new epoch with us, and it will date
from the visit to Wilmington. con-
graduate you upon being mayor and
the membership of this organization
hopes you may serve many terms. We
wish you God-speed in your mission
and congratulate you upon the mag
nificent administration of your office.
of which there is evidence in the
condition Of everything in the city
and the spirit shown by the people,
who appear to be thoroughly satisfied. !"
Mr.. Kelley was also greeted with
applause and the mayor grasped his
hand warmly and after shaking hands
| with several others who were near him
departed. The organization proceeded
to business after being welcomed by the
mayor and received assurance from him
that he would attend the banquet to
he given by the order at the Hotel
Wilmington this evening.
At the executive session In the after
noon some OF the committees reported,
but there was nothing of Importance to
tho public, except reference to the
pending question of whether insurance
for members of the order should be
compulsory or optional. When tho vote
was taken the proposed amendment tc
make insurance optional with the mem.
bers was lost. The vote was 70 fol
compulsory insurance. or the continu-
ance of the present system, and 6s
for the optional feature. This decision
has direct bearing upon every sub
ordinate encampment Of the knights
of st. John and Malta in the United
States For the past three years thu
constitution of the Chapter General
the law-making body, has provided
that every person becoming member
of an oncampment or lodge OF thu
order should be compelled to take tn,
insurance az prescribed. Prominen
members we're arrayed on both SIDES o
the question and the discussion wa
vigorous. The constitutionality Of th
amendment may be tested, as it ]
said 1T did not receive two-third
vote. What was expected to be
caucus for officers last night developed
into a meeting Of advocates OF til
optional endowment amendment. 1
committee of five members was ap
pointed to devise ways and means 70
bringing the amendment before tn
Chapter today. The amendment wa
up in another form last year, whe
it was lost by two votes.
A fight for the office OF eminen
grand commander developed las
night, two factions being In the field
Eminent Sir Knight Charles II. Hay
ward of this city and Eminent 81
Knight r. B. Treacy Of Brooklyn, n
, y, being the candidates.
} Erie, Pa, is making big bid fc
the convention of knights next veal
, with Lockport, N. Y, in the van &c
/ 1901. Ribbons bearing the inscriptio
) Erie, 1900," and "Lockport, n. Y
t 190l," we're much in evidence today.
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