The times., 1899-10-15
MASONS OF HIGH DEGREB
Biennial Session of the Supreme
Scottish Rite Council.
1t VIII Begin Tomorrow in the
House of the Temple Some I'M
portant Questions TO Be Discussed
Proposed Change in Ritual-Mnny
States Represented I'm Membership.

The biennial session of the Supreme
Council, Ancient and Accepted Scottish
Rite of Free Masonry, for the Southern
Jurisdiction of the United States, will open
in this city tomorrow morning at 10 O'Clock
at the House of the Temple, Third and L
Streets northwest. The session will be
one of great Importance, and will continue
until Friday next. This will be banner
week among the local members of the Ma
sonic fraternity, and in addition TO the
gathering of the executive body OF the
Scottish Rite Masons, the Royal Order OF
Scotland will hold its annual meeting and
banquet tomorrow. The visiting officials
will be treated to a long programme OF
social functions, which has been prepared
in their honor, and they will be royalty en-
tertained by the District brethren.
The members of the Supreme Council of
the Scottish Rite Masons represent score
of States, and have all arrived in the city
except Senator Henry NJ Teller, who is ex-
pected tonight The list of the council is
as follows:
Sovereign Grand Commander, Thomas II.
Caswell, California; Lieut.. Grand Com
mander, James d. Richardson, Tennessee;
Grand Prior, E. T. Carr, Montana; Grand
Chancellor, S. E. Adams, Minnesota; Grand
Minister of State, Martin Collins, Missouri;
Secretary General. Frederick Webber, Ken
lucky: Grand Almoner, R. ]. Mum, Geor-
gia; Grand Auditor, Samuel NJ. Todd,
Louisiana; Grand Constable, r. e. Flem-
ing, North Dakota; Grand Chamberlain, b.
r. Sherman, Iowa; Grand Standard Bearer,
A. L. Fitzgerald, Navada; Second Grand
Equerry. James r. Hayden, Seattle, Wash;
Grand Herald, Henry M. Teller, Colorado;
Grand Sword Bearer, w. Frank Pierce,
California. and the following Sovereign
Grand inspectors General: T. S. Parvin,
Iowa. J. Frederick Mayer, Virginia;
George F. Moore, Alabama; f. NJ. Foote,
Wyoming; l. W. Pratt, Oregon; A. b.
Chamberlain, Texas; ]. W. Cortland, North
Carolina.
The council will hold two sessions each
day and the evenings Will be given up TO
pleasure. The several subcommittee have
been hard at work on reports since Mon
day last and it is expected that there will
be no delay, although many questions of
great Importance will come up for de-
cision. For many years attempts have
been made to change or revise the beau
tiful ritual of the order, and it is stated
that this matter will again come up dur
ing this session. While 1t is believed that
the council will not allow any important
changes to be made, ii is possible that the
committee on this matter may report In
favor of a revision of the ritual The
proceedings will be closely watched by Ma
sons in every State.
Many of the visiting officials are accom-
panied by their ladies, and the week will
be spent in visiting and sightseeing. We'd
nesday next, at s p. IA, the local Scottish
Rite Masons will give a reception to the
members of the Supreme Council and their
ladies. at the House of the Temple, Third
and Z Streets northwest. All Masons in
the District are invited 10 attend with their
ladies' The affair will be very elaborate
one, and fitting programme has been ar
ranged Music and refreshments Will be
plentiful and it is desired that every mem
Der of the Masonic fraternity in the city
accept this opportunity Of visiting the
magnificent District headquarters OF the
Scottish Rite Masons. An informal meet
ing of the committee having tho reception
in charge was held at the Scottish Rite
Cathedral, 1907 G. Street northwest, last
night, and preparations were made TO make
the occasion thorough success in every
way
The Provincial Grand Lodge and Chap
ter of the Royal Order of Scotland will
hold its annual session at Scottish Rite
Cathedral tomorrow at 10 a. m. The an
nual banquet OF the order will be held at
the Riggs House in the evening This
promises to be brilliant affair, as already
more than 125 acceptances have been reg
istered from members representing every
State and Territory in the Union. Deputy
Provincial Grand Commander Thomas H.
Caswell of California, will preside in the
absence of the provincial grand COM
mander.