The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-08-29
KNIGHTS IN CONCLAVE
BIENNIAL SESSION OF THE X. OF. p
IN DETROIT is LARGELY
ATTENDED
FIRST GRAND LODGE SESSION
Supreme Chancellor Samples Adj
dress Deals with Statistics of
the Order-Pythinn Sister
hood Also Meets,

DETROIT, Mich, Aug 29.-The mill
tary division of the order of the Knights
of Pythias did itself proud in its biennial
parade this afternoon, and the vast
crowds who witnessed the inspiring
pageant gave enthusiastic approval all
along the line of march Nine thousand
uniformed and helmetted Knights march
ed IN rapid and orderly manner over the
route of five miles, and were officially
reviewed by Supreme Chancellor Sample
before dismissal by Mai Gen. Car
nahan, commander of the Uniformed
rank. Inc first brigade, with more than
zVOo men In line, was the leader in point
of numbers, marching and showing. One
British flag was seen in the parade, car
r1ed by the Canadian contingent over
thelr Pythian banner, and the Pythians
were not less heartily cheered than the
Americans were. Thirty bands and drum
and bugle corps furnished music for the
paraders.
Supreme Chancellor Sample reviewed
the parade from a stand erected in front
OF the city hall. Around him were seated
several hundred prominent lights Of the
| order and delegates to the supreme lodge
and ladies'
AT the grand lodge meeting today Ma
sonic Temple appeared transformed into
a temple of Pythianism. Several largely
attended gatherings of I'ythians and
pranch orders were In progress stimuli
taneously within the big structure Chief
of these were the opening meetings Of
the supreme lodge knights of Pythias
| 4 nd of the supreme lodge of the Pythian
S1sterhood. The initial meeting of the
order of Rathbone Sisters was postponed
It'll tomorrow. Members of the
Womans branches jostled in TIE corri-
| doris of the temple with a rather reserved
amiability and anybody who had the te
merity to suggest that the question If A
union of the two orders might possibly
| be discussed during the present biennial
received polite dissent. Supreme Chan
| cellor Thomas c. Sample, Of Allegheny
| Pa, head of the Pythian order, presided
over the supreme lodge meeting. In his
| biennial address he said, in part:
The condition of the order through tut
| the supreme domain, with but few excep-
tons, Is fourishing. The growth of the
| knights of Pythias in the past thirty-hve
years has been marvellous, and to the
| student of secret societies has been a won
| der. This growth in its early history,
! however, was not generally of a charac-
| ter that would give to it's or any other
which is evident to US all now. OF late
| years the men who have been admitted
| to our ranks have come to US because Of
our principles, and, as result, the per-
|
| ever before. The decree seems to have
| gone forth from the subordinate lodges,
as rule. that quality and not quantity,
i Is what is desired.
On Dec. 81, 1898, the reports made to
| the supreme lodge from the different
| grand domains, showed a membership of
| 470,798 The returns received to Dec 81
| 1885, show a total membership of 491 672,
| a net increase for 1899 Of 1859. From
| the figures of the losses and gains during
the term ending June 90,1900, it appears
| that have today n If
| 800, with fifteen grand domains yet to
| hear from, a net gain for the two years
of 81, 800. This is a splendid showing, and
| with this Increase in membership comes
also the gratifying thought that in nearly
| all the grand domains these who are cast
| ing their lot with us today are doing SO
from the fact, that we are progressive,
patriotic, and have all the attributes es-
| senttal to make an up to date order. Do
| not, therefore, at this convention, let the
| word go out that we are retrograding, but
| let US rather push forward to a higher
| plane of usefulness and influence.
! The betterment of the condition of the
uniform rank of this order is a subject
| which should receive at your hands the
most careful consideration. They should
be given the widest latitude IN the max
| ing Of the laws for their own government
If there be one feature of this order
more sacred than any other in the eyes
of the membership, 1t should be the en-
| dowment rank / was afraid that the
causeless attacks made at the session al
indianapolis in 1888 would greatly retard
its growth and prosperity, and 1t probably
did for the quarter ending Dec 81, 1893. but
| since that time 1t has gone on and in
creased IN numbers and financial strength
The membership at the close of business
June 30, 1893. was $3.50 carrying $99. 261, 5Ol
| endowment. The number OF members al
the close of business June 30. 1900, was
| 64.5S9 carrying $l13, 840, goo endowment
| The board Of control paid out from June
30. 1898 to June 80 1907, 81. 42c.91s
In his report, r. L. c. Wright, of At