Evening journal., 1899-09-15

OF the organizations that he proposes
to assist In making laws for the gov
ernment of. There seems, however, to
be sentiment springing up in the or
der In favor Of empowering the patri-
archs militant and Rebekah branches
10 hold state and national conventions
and legislate for themselves, under
such restrictions as will prevent any
departure from the established laws,
usages and customs OF the order.
BIENNIAL VS.. ANNUAL SESSIONS.
Another proposes to make the ses-
sions biennial, instead of annual, as at
present. AS this Is the most important
amendment that will be considered, II
will doubtless give rise to a protract-
ed as well as an animated debate. This
question has frequently come up before
that body, and without much cere-
mony, has, upon each occasion, by an
almost unanimous vote, been indeh-
nitely postponed; but the friends of the
measure, undismayed by such summary
treatment Of their pet measure, have
lost no time in having It resubmitted.
In order that II might again come up
for consideration at the succeeding ses-
sion. This time It's friends boast OF
having excited a sentiment In favor OF
the project strong enough to assure its
adoption; but, as II requires an affirm
ative vote OF three-fourths OF the mem
bers present to amend the constitution,
a difficult vote to secure under any
circumstances, il will most likely be
consigned to the tomb OF the Capulets.
The strongest argument advanced in
its favor Is one of economy, which in
all legislative bodies is regarded as a
delicate one to handle The reason for
this Is that all those who enjoy any
benefit or pleasure from the extrava-
gance INDUCED in are 10th to show
their hands in any effort made to re-
trench expenses.
Now, when it is considered that the
representatives receive what may be
called a fair remuneration for their
services, by way of per diem and mile
age it can readily be seen why they
should be opposed to any reduction in
their compensation or to any attempt
made to curtail the pleasures enjoyed
In attending the annual sessions.
OTHER PROPOSED AMENDMENTS.
The other proposed and
there are more than one, have for their
object a saving in the expenditures by
reducing the pay of representatives to
sum which will reimburse them for
the amount actually expended in at
tending the sessions. The adoption Of
this amendment, it is believed, would
be cheerfully accepted as an equitable
solution of this mooted question.
Again, IL is proposed that Indians, be-
longing to the five civilized tribes resi-
dents OF the Indisn Territory, may be
admitted to membership In the order.
This has been tried before several
times, but Il has met with little favor,
because the records show that it has
been uniformly rejected by an over
whelming vote. The chances are nine
ty-nine out of a hundred that all o. the
proposed amendments to the cOnstitu-
tion will be rejected
The consideration of amendments to
the constitution of the Sovereign
Grand Lodge, submitted annually, take
up considerable time at the sessions;
for this reason, Il seems that 1t would
be advisable for representatives to con-
slider carefully not only the necessity
but the possibility of their adoption
before submitting them to that body.
II this course were strictly followed
much time would be saved at each ses.
sion, and the expenses would thereby
be considerably reduced.
PRESENT STATUS OF THE ORDER.
The report OF the grand secretary. to
be submitted to the Grand Lodge, will
contain, in addition to other interest
ing matter, valuable statistics, from
which the following abstract has been
educed:
STATISTICS OF THE ORDER FROM
1880 TO DECEMBER 81, 1898.
Including Australasia, Germany
Denmark. Sweden and Switzerland.
limitations in subordi-
nate lodges ...... ... 2,266, los
Members relieved .... 2,253,S0l
Widowed families relieved 2S9,S3S
Members deceased . 0,SSs
Total relief .............S S0,726, ,900.2l
Total receipts ........ 2OS,971 ,OOS.0 0S
CONDITION OF THE ORDER DE
CEMBER 81, 1898.
Sovereign Grand Lodge ........
Independent Grand Lodges (Aus-
tralasia, Denmark, Germany,
Sweden and Switzerland) )...
Subordinate Grand Lodges. g.
Subordinate Grand Eneamp-
ments ...... ...... ......... D,
| Subordinate lodges ............ 11,79l
Subordinate encampments .. 2,64l
Lodge members ................ $50 ,92l
Encampment members ..l2S,2 ,26'
Rebekah lodges ................ 5,Ol
Members of Rebekah lodges. . .3l3, To-
The report Of the grand treasurer. NJ
Richards Muckle, which Is confined L
the business of the Sovereign Crane
Lodge for the past year., and has moth
ing to do with the relief administere,
by the order, shows the following:
1898, July 81, to balance. IS 6O.s43. A
1899, July 81, receipts. .. 5O,609.1l
$111, ,452 81
1899, July 81, to payments s 62.7sl 81
1899, July 81. balance. .... 1851 o,
sil1.452.5
G. +. B.
!.