The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-22
DELEGATES TO GRAND LODGE.
ODD FELLOWS OFF TONIGHT FOR
MEETING AT ROME.

Few Matters of Importance to Come
Before the Grand LOdge--Grand
Master Gruzard Practically Sure OF
Recollection, Though He VIII BE
Opposed by Deputy Grand Master
DittIer of AtIanta-Other Candf-
dates TO Go Before the Grand
Lodge for Offices.
The delegates and others who will at
tend the meeting of the grand lodge of
Odd Fellows will leave for Rome tonight
to be present at the opening of the ses-
sion tomorrow. Just bow many will go
besides the delegates is not known, but
it is expected there will be a large repre-
sentation from local lodges.
The delegates to the grand lodge were
named some time ago. and it is under
stood all have signfied their acceptance.
The representation 10 which each lodge
Is entitled is based on it's numerical
strength, lodges having less than 100 mem
bers being entitled to one delegate, while
those of 100 or more members have two
representatives to the grand lodge Those
to represent the Savannah lodges are
Oglethorpe No. /, John A. Hutton and
Fl. s. Colding; Live Oak No. 8, E. S. Ey-
eritt; DeKalb No. 9, c. H. Dorset; Gold
en- Rule No. Y, Capt. Henry McAlpin;
Concord No. II, E. S. Mason and c. j.
Martini; Haupt No. IS, Jonas Mendel. w.
ii. Peck and w. r. Mcintyre; Acorn No.
lO3, John 7. Glatigny; Magnolia Encamp-
ment c. r. Woods. Others who will at
tend are Mr.. J. II. H. Osborne, a member
of the committee on finance and accounts;
Mr.. James Van Berschot, member of COM
mittee on credentials; w. c. Travis, grand
conductor; J. s. Tyson. grand secretary,
and J. s. Silva, grand guardian
Besides these it is expected that a num-
Der OF others entitled to sit in the grand
lodge will go from Savannah Third de-
gree ODD Fellows do. not participate in
the deliberations of the grand lodge, the
only members of the order admitted being
the delegates, or past grand masters and
others entitled to participate.
Mr.. Van Berschot, who has served In
many important offices in the grand lodge.
has not missed attending its sessions for
the last ten years, and will be one of the
most interested members to attend from
Savannah. He is chairman of the com
mittee on regalia, which has selected
badges 20 be worn during the sessions of
the grand lodge. The badge for past grand
masters is beautiful red ribbon, to which
Is suspended a medallion bearing the coat
of arms of Georgia. On the ribbon are
two raised flags, one representing the Unit
ed states and The other the Odd Fellows.
Inc badge for delegates and others is
about the same thing, except it is white
good deal of interest attaches TO the
| election of officers for the ensuing term. it
being understood there are a number who
aspire TO higher honors. Grand Master
| Gruzard, whose Administered ton has given
general satisfaction, will be urged to
| serve another term. In a recent letter to
a prominent Odd Fellow in Savannah
| Grand Master Gruzard said ne would serve
another term, but that he would not make
a fight for the office. If it were rendered
him, and his election did not involve a
spirited contest, he would have no obiec-
ton to serving. Reports have been cur
rent that Deputy Grand Master Alexander
| Dittler of Atlanta would oppose Mr.. Cru
| Yard, but Savannahians seem to think the
| efficient manner in which the present in
cumbent has attended TO his duties will
insure his election by a good majority.
! During his recent visit to the local lodges.
| Mr.. Gruzard made distinct impression
! upon the members for his ability. and the
| conscientious and painstakng manner he
| attended to his duties. Regular visits
were paid to the different lodges through
| out the state, and their condition is shown
in the excellent report the grand master
| will submit.
! While the grand master should have
reports from each and every district depu-
| ty" the report says Il have heard but
| from three. It seems impossible to make
! these officers understand their duties. or
20 take sufficient interest to perform them.
| but from my visits TO many lodges, 1 fina
| such enthusiasm among the brethren as
must not only insure no backward move.
| but a steady and healthful increase" The
| report proceeds then to give detailed IN
| formation, which is conclusive proof of the
! grand masters attentiveness TO his duties.
The other reports 10 be submitted are
| those of the grand secretary, grand pa
! triarch, annuaf report of the representa-
tives of the sovereign grand lodge, report
| OF the representative to SOVEREIGN grand
| lodge, and the annual report of the grand
| scribe. When they have been passed upon
the entire viii form the proceedings of the
| grand lodge, which are prepared in printed
| form for distribution.
The meeting of the grand lodge in Sa
vannah last year win be well remembered
by Savannahans. An effort was made to
give the visiting Odd Fellows a good time
| and If they leave Rome as well satisfied as
they were with their stay here, the peopre
| there need have no fears about rece.vino
an efIusion of thanks from their visitors.
---s-Se~e-