The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-01-12
GRAND LODGE OF MASONS-
The Question of Negro Masonry-Rs-
port on the Orphanage-Election OF
Officers = Meeting of Penitentfary
Board.
Especial to The Messenger.)

Raleigh, y. c., January lo.-The
state authorizes the Mt. Airy Granite
Company TO increase its capital to sas.-
900 OF which one-third is preferred, with
per cent interest guaranteed
Governor Russell said this afternoon
that he knew no reason now why the
law should not take its course in the
Ross case at Lumberton. He says some
additional affidavhs have been sent
IN.
AT the session of the grand lodge OF
Masons the report of the committee on
orphanage was adopted and $4,000 ap-
propriated from the grand lodge funds
this year TO the orphanage- An invl-
tation to meet next year at Whining
ton was declined with thanks. The
meeting is TO be in Raleigh.
John a. Collier made a report on
foreign relations. This is largely on
negro Masonry The repot says the
Masonic world has been excited by the
deplorable action of the grand lodge OF
the state of Washington in being in-
duced to take up and support negro
Masonry, but that the Washington
grand lodge has receded from the po-
sition it had been persuaded to take
grand lodges in repudiation OF this NAL
ordorous heresy and that he hopes this
menace to masonry viii never present
its hideous front again.
Three new lodges Were chartered
at Raleigh, Red Springs and Cook
willie. The Carthage lodge was restor-
ed.
The grand lodge of Masons tonight
elected Beverly s. Royster of Oxford,
grand master; H. 1. Clark. OF Tarboro.
deputy grand master; Walter S. Lid
dell, of Charlotte, senior grand warden;
Francis D. Winston, of Windsor, jun
ior grand warden, William Simpson, OF
Raleigh, grand treasurer; John c.
Drewey, of Raleigh, grand secretary.
AS to the last two there was no oppo-
sitiOn and a member cast the vote Of
the grand lodge for them. Needham
B. Broughton, of Raleigh, was elected
by acclamation to succeed himself as
director of the Oxford orphanage for
five years. The grand lodge tonight,
by electing new grand master, de-
parted from the custom which has pre-
vailed of re-electing SO that the grand
master serves two years 1t was the
overwhelming opinion that the term
| ought to be one year. 1t is said in fu-
ture this will be the rule
Petitions in involuntary bankruptcy
were filed tonight against B. NJ. Ber-
geron. and j. p. Jackson of Washing
! ton, N. c., by Norfolk firms.
The penitentiary directors didn't elect
a new executive board, but defer that
| to the last. The day was spent mainly
| in receiving reports and commenting
| thereon. Farm supervisors on Caledo-
MIA Pope and Tfllery farms discharged
| by Day claim 81 400. The matter was
| referred to committee. Days report
| is more a balance sheet than anything
| else, and is of little practical value to
| the directors. The cotton crop is found
| to be 2,10S bales. w. H. Osborne re-
! signed from the executive board and
! directorate, giving private business his
| reason. The resignation was accepted.
| Day says he Will buy the Arson farm.
| Day desires the lease Of Northampton
| farm extended to cover this year.
| Owners of the farm say if 1T was to be
surrendered the convicts ought TO have
| been removed December 31stN Some
| yet remain, ard also a great deal OF
! produce. Disc ussion today was as to
! what to do with the contract to mine
! phosphate at Castle Haynes. The rice
! farm near Wilmington is abandoned.
| There is great opposition to further use
| of convicts in phosphate mining. owing
| to extreme unhealthineSs. No convicts
| have been in the mine at Castle Haynes
| since last July. The question is raised
| whether the company can force the
| state to continue the contract. which is
| very 1lnSkat iSfanfOT-y to the latter