The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-07-12
ENDOWMENT RANK
HINsEY RESIGNS FROM BOARD OF
CONTROL.
HE MAY BE PROSECUTED.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN AGAINST ALL
OFFENDERS.


ton Both In the Subordinate
Lodges and in the Criminal Courts
Against Those Who Have Violated
Their Obligations to the order.
Insurance Rate to BE Raised to
the Maximum and "A Special ASSESS
ment of 30 Cents May he Levied ON
All PythianS.
Chicago, July 1.-THE Supreme Lodge
of the Knights of Pythias, now in session
in Chicago investigating the affairs of
the endowment rank of the order, late last
night accepted the resignation of John II.
Hinsey, ex-president of the endowment
rank, as a member of the board of con-
troll. Following this the Supreme Lodge
adopted resolution, which instructed
the supreme chancellor and board of con-
troll to prosecute civilly and criminally
all persons liable for offenses committed
against the endowment rank
This resolution passed by unanimous
vote, as also did another, which instruct
ed the chancellor commander and board
of control to proceed with view toward
in their respective lodges who might be
found guilty of violating their obligation
in the handling of funds.
Several May BE Prosecuted.
After adjournment of last nights ses-
sion 1t was said that if criminal prose-
cutions are instituted, which now seems
TO be almost certain, a number of men
who were formerly connected with the
endowment rank and whom the Supreme
Lodge members consider responsible for
the present financial condition will be in
volved.
The action of the Supreme Lodge in
accepting the resignation of Mr. Hinsey
was taken after two days session, at
which the report of the Board of Con-
troll of the Endowment Rank and those
of the Insurance Commissioners of Ini-
nois. Connecticut and Kansas had been
gone over and fully discussed
Mr.. Hinsey made good his promise to
appear before the Supreme Council in
his own defense. 1t was said that his ex-
plantations regarding the investments OF
funds made while he was at the head
of the rank were far from satisfactory
to the Supreme Lodge representatives
but there being some question of the
right to expel him his resignation was
accepted.
- The representatives of the Supreme
Lodge, however, were not in a disposi-
tion to let the matter OF Hinsey's connec-
tion with the Supreme Lodge settle his
standing in the order of the knights OF
Pythias. The following resolutions were
adopted:
Instructed to Prosecute.
Resolved, That the supreme chancellor
and the board of control be, and they are
hereby, authorized and empowered and
directed to prefer charges and to prose
cute or to cause to be prosecuted before
the proper tribunal or tribunals of the or
der all persons heretofore or now con-
nected with the endowment rank for any
and all violations of their obligation and
for any and all offenses under the laws
of the order.
Resolved, That the supreme chancellor
and board of control be and they are
hereby empowered and directed to pros
ecute or cause to be prosecuted criminal
ly In any court all persons who have en-
bezzled the funds of the order defrauded
the order, committed perjury or any other
offense in connection with the endowment
rank and they bring or cause to be
brought civil action against all persons
who are liable to the order from any
cause in connection with the endowment
rank
The wording of this resolution is gem
orally regarded as containing the charges
under which prosecution is to be institut-
ed Mr.. Hnsey is a member of the In
ter-Domain Lodge of this city and 1t is
probable that the supreme officers win
prefer their charges against him in that
lodge.
To Increase the Assessment.
The Supreme Lodge to-day decided that
the most expedient way of meeting the
deficiency of $4,000 in the treasury of the
endowment rank is to raise the insurance
rate to the maximum prescribed by the
National Fraternal Congress. If, in this
way, money shall not be forthcoming it
is likely a special assessment of so cents
will be put on every member of the order
for the benefit of the endowment rank
This will raise $4,000.
The board of control will continue to in
vestigate the affairs of the endowment
rank. The only immediate action which
will be taken will be, IL is said, the insti-
tuting of some foreclosure suits I'm an
endeavor to rescue as much as possible
of the money said to have been carelessly
invested.
A resolution was adopted by the Su-
preme Lodge. pledging ali necessary legis-
lation to fully protect holders of certifi-
Gates issued by the endowment rank, and
producing full and prompt payment of all
claims due thereon.