The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-10-04
POLITICS IN THE K. OF P.
FRANK BOWERS REELECTED DE.
SPITE THE OPPOSITION II HIM.
A Number of WeII-kuown Statesmen
Appear i'm the New Roll of
Officers.

1t was said last evening that the r~e-elec-
ton of Frank Bowers to the position of
keeper of records and seals of the Knight
Of Pythias Grand Lodge was the first step
toward purifying the state order of poll
tics" Bowers was reelected by a vote of
$50 out Of the $40 votes in the convention.
The other 260 votes went to Oscar Schreyer,
of Bloomfield. who was said to be the cali
didate of the political machine" The
other officers elected are as follows:
Grand Chancellor-James E. Mcdonald,
Ligonier.
Grand Vice Chancellor-Daniel E. Storms.
Grand Prelate-Charles A. Bookwalter, In
dianapolis.
Outer Guard-George w. Powell, Indian
apolis.
Trustee-C. L. Bartel, Warsaw.
Master-at-arms-Dr. c. A. Tindall, Shelby
vile.
Supreme Representatives-D. B. Shideler,
Indianapolis: James f. Watson, Rushville;
Charles E. Shively, Richmond.
The majority of the delegates to the meet
ing points with pride to the $50 votes cast
against Bowers, and says they are all that
is left Of the machine" Bowers claims
never to have had any interest in politics.
He has been keeper of records and seals for
fourteen years.
When the report of Grand Chancellor Nc
SdTOl6 was Tedu IL was the IuedL5 u CIt-
ating some lively arguments. In it the
grand chancellor sets forth the charge that
Mr.. Bowers, as keeper of records and seals.
had on deposit $1,000 in the Indianapolis Ma
tional BAN at the time of hat banks in
sclvency. and that the Grand Lodge should
not lose it. The grand chancellor and Grand
Trustee Bartol. acting on TIE advice or the
judiciary committee. asked Mr.. Bowers to
pay over this money. This Mr.. Bowers
agreed to do, 1t was claimed, If the encamp-
onn rauop,ittoa yrCfr16 him xT6 q month
for his services as secretary of that COM
nittee for the period of twelve months, in
addition to his regular salary; but ne
increased TO 800 a month for the period OF
twelve months. making an additional allow
ance of S1,200. Since that allowance was
made Bowers has been repeatedly asked
for the amount due the Grand Lodge and up
to the time of maxim. this report he has
Charles E.. Shively. of Richmond. then
read a statement from Mr.. Bowers, who
charges the grand chancellor with not stat
quested to do. Mr.. Bowers. in his State
ment. says that the grand chancellor came
to his office and made demand on him for
arbitrary demand. AT that meeting
he said. IAN effort was made to in
ments in ninety days. This proposition was
also refused for the same reasons. At that
time (Oct. s. 1889 I had not received one
cent from the executive committee. either
for expenses incurred for help at the COM
mittee's headquarters. or for any service /
had given the executive committee from
May, 1887. to the close OF the encampment.
From expressions made by members of the
executive / had reason to believe
that / would be paid IL any money was left
In the treasurer'S hands after all other ex-
penses were paid. With these uncertain
conditions confronting me. 1 proposed to the
grand chancellor that If he and the grand
trustees would assign to me the receivers
certificate. with the understanding that /
was not eonceding any liability. / would pay
to the erard exchequer any money that l
would receive as compensation from the
committee after paying all expenses"