The daily morning journal and courier., 1900-05-17
THE GRAND LODGE 1. 0, 0. E.
SIYTIITH JNNUdL SESSION HELD
 YESTERDAYI BRIDGEPORT.
Report of Grand Master Jackson, Grand Secretary Hotsford and Grand Trens- urer Pnrker--Figurcs Which show Flourishing Condition of the Order.

anu Grnn0 Ir5NB-
 urer Pnrker-Figurcs Which show
 FIourishing Condition of inc Order.
 Bridgeport, May 16-The sixtieth an- nual session of the Grand lodge of Con- necticut, l. o. o. F., opened this morn ing at ten o'clock at Poquonnock hall, with the largest attendance in the his- tory of the body. The total number of delegates present was over five hun dred, fully four hundred of them com ing from out of town. Eighty of the eighty-seven lodges in the state were represented. The visitors began to ar rive last evening. Many of them came to attend the annual meeting of the in- corporators of the Odd Fellows home, while others were on hand to renew friendships formed at previous sessions and enjoy the sociability which such re- unions bring about.
 The Grand lodge went quickly to work, Grand Master Horace H. Jackson of this city presiding. The other grand officers present were: Deputy Grand Selah G. Bakeman of Shelton; Grand Warden William $. Hutchinson of South Manchester, Grand Secretary Frederick Botsford of New Haven, Grand Treasurer William H. Marigold of this city, Grand Marshal James Car penter of Torrington, Grand Conductor Harry H. Nichols of Danbury, Grand Guardian Albert l.. Mansfield, Putnam, Grand Herald Horace Huntington of Meriden, and Grand Chaplain Charles H. Smith of Deep River. The usual preliminaries having been carried out, the Grand lodge was open for business. The report of the committee on creden- tials, partially submitted, showed that there were 352 old members in attend ance. A later report increased the number to 375.
 Grand Warden Hutchinson and Grand Marshal Carpenter retired to instruct the new members. Later in the session they returned and introduced 130 new delegates which is the largest number ever introduced to the Grand lodge at one time
 While waiting for the new members to come in, Grand Master Jackson called for a speech. Grand Sire James Sanders of Yonkers addressed the dele- gates.
 A resolution was received from the Rebekah assembly asking for permis- sion to lay per capita tax of cents for the coming year. The resolution was referred to the committee on finance.
 A report from the committee on | finance approved certain bills and re- commended that the usual special tax | of two cents per member be laid to meet | the expenses of the Grand lodge. This | special tax is in addition to the regular tax of six cents provided for by the | constitution: The report was accepted | and the resolution adopted.
 Tt is with pleasure I report a net in- crease of 370 members in the subordi- nate lodges and 691 in the Rebekah branch of the order, and the funds ag- gregate $25 35S.16. The funds of the su- bordinate lodges have increased $20,- 5566S during the year, a very substan- tial gain. The order through the state is in healthy and growing condition"
 The annual report of Grand Secretary Botsford was then read. It was as fol- lows:
 Number of lodges reported May IT, 1899, S9 added during the year, A. pres ent number, ST. The total receipts of subordinates have been 64,643.92; amount paid for relief, s74,30SO5 paid for expenses, $69, ,779 02; to- tai, s144087.07; net gain, $20,556S5 to- tai fund, January i, 1899, $445 S9412; to- tai fund, January 1, 1900, $466 450.97 The increase in relief of the year, $4,- 334.41. Members as per last report, 16,- ITS; initiated during the year, 1O33; ad- mtted by card, A; reinstated, 57 total 1T ,912 from which deduct: Withdraw ale, 7S; suspended, N. P. D., 456; ex- pelled 12; deceased 21S; total 764. To- tai membership January 1, 1900, 17,147; ( net gain for the year, 3S0. The increase 1 S In amount paid for relief $4,334.41; the { in receipts, $1,24743 $ Rebekah 1odges-Number of lodges, as per last report, AT; added during the I Grand lodge year. 1. Members as perl ast report, brothers, 2,182 admitted turing the year, 267; total, 2,449; sisters, ( IS per last report, 3,2S4; admitted dur ng the year, 424; total, 3,707; total membership 6156 from which deduct: Dropped 4S9. Membership January 1, 900 2219 brothers 4,44S sisters; total, r ,667 Net gain, 370 brothers; 165 sisters Receipts from all sources, $11 1928, G rom which deduct, relief of members, G 9,020.99; expenses, $S,0S5.S9; total, $11,- lf 0979; net gain, $72,44; invested funds u f Rebekah lodges, $2S, ,359.16. ti Grand Master Jackson read his annu- o1 l report which in part was as follows: ci