Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-10-30
STAR CONVENTION.
Is Largest in History of the Order
In Iowa.
ADJOURNS IN DIES MONIES TODAY.
Report of the Secretary Shows That
Thirty-one Chapters Have Been In
stituted During the Year-Grand
Matron's Recommendation

stituted During the Year-Grand
Matron's Recommendations
The largest and most enthusiastic
convention in the history of the Iowa
order CT the Eastern Star terminated
this afternoon at o'clock at
Des Moines. Over 500 dele
gates were in attendance togeth-
er with 500 visiting members. Hotels
and boarding houses were crowded,
in some cases there being as high as
six persons in one room. The meet
ings of the order were held in the aud
itorium and what with committee
meetings and others of a like char
acter, all were not comfortably situat-
ed. Grand Matron Mary B. Rathbun,
of Clinton, shortly after the opening
session, made some recommendations
that will greatly interest members of
the order in this city. Mrs. Maria
Jackson, of Council Bluffs, grand sec
rotary, submitted her report of the
membership and other statistical mat
tiers, as well as the condition of the
finances of the order.
The Convention.
Grand Matron Mrs. Mary B. Rathbun
of Clinton, brought the delegates to
attention when the convention met
yesterday. Mrs. Olive E. Beckwith de-
livered an address of welcome on be-
hair of the Des Moines chapter, tell
ing the delegates Des Moines esteemed
it privilege to entertain them, and
urging them to make themselves thor
oily at home during their stay, and not
to be backward about calling for infor
nation or assistance. Associate Grand
Matron Mrs. Freda Oppenheimer, of
Webster City, responded in behalf of
the delegates, thanking the city and
the Des Moines ladies for the courte-
sizes already shown them, and stating
that every one expected to enjoy the
time spent in this convention.
The day was devoted almost entire
| ly to routine business, the meetings be-
| ing secret. Reports of officers and
COMMITTEES were received and adopted.
Sioux City was unanimously chosen
as the meeting place of the next an
nual convention to be held the fourth
Wednesday in October, 1901. Mrs.
Rathbun delivered her annual address.
She gave an account of the work per-
formed by her as grand matron, show
ing that every detail had been careful
ly looked after. Thirty-one new chap
ters have been added during the past
year, an increase in membership OF
1900.
Mrs. Rathbun's Recommendations.
Mrs. Rathbun made several recon-
mendations to the convention. In this
regard she said:
Where chapters call off for sum
mer months it greatly interferes with
the work of the visiting officer. When
line of visitation can be arranged
easy of access, half the chapters or
the route may be called off for the
summer, and they inform the deputy
OF that fact and ask her to come some
other time. This practice retards the
efficiency of the deputy, robs the chap
ter of the benefit of the visitation, anC
if visited afterward incurs a greater
!, expense to the grand chapter. We re
commend that hereafter chapter!
make greater effort, as sacrifice mus
b. made on their part. and that wheth
| e. meetings are called off or not, the!
cooperate with the deputy in facili
tating their work.
where a member displays her bal
} lot for or against petition, she shall
, be by the worthy grand matron de
clared suspended from right to bal
} lot for a period of not less than thre
} or more than six months; furthe
when member for any cause declare
7 her intention to block the wheels O
!. the chapter in consequence OF any rea
, or supposed grievance, she shall b
} subjected to the same penalty. w
: recommend the adoption of thes
j, rules.
8 among the thinking members
! find a growing desire for some law tina
. will require of all our members
r greater knowledge of our obligation
e ana the cardinal teachings of our o.
e der. l therefore, recommend that
Q resolution or clause be incorporated i
I our new constitution, requiring eac
new member to commit to memor
our obligations, the signs, passes an
the explanation of each degree, an
passing a satisfactory examinatio
thereon in open session at regula
meeting before being recognized 6
a full member entitled to vote or hol
f Office"
y Mrs. Rathbun reported that she ha
b received during the year from a
sources, $1,O4S1G and that her net e,
penses had been S210.54. The ba
ance of $S37.62 was turned over
the grand secretary.
Mrs. Maria Jackson, of Counc
Bluffs, grand secretary, submitted he
report. All branches of the work {
the order coming under her jurisdi
ton are in good condition. A CO
densed statement concerning tt
membership and number of chapter
follows:
Gains in chartered chapters
Initiated in 1899 $50. ......... 1,4(
Reinstated in 1899 ............
Affiliated in 1899 ........ $50. II
Total gain in chartered chapters 1,6'
Losses in chartered chapters
Died in 1899 .................. II
admitted in 1899 ............. A
suspended in 1899 ............. p
Expelled in 1899 ..............
>. Total losses in chartered chapters 8
. not paip in chart ared