The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-07-17
THE PYTH|AN SCANDAL.
Supreme Lodge Probing to the Bot.
tom of Trouble.
Hinsey is Made to Resign---His
Prosecution in Civil Court
Seems Certain.

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
member of the board of control. Fol
lowing this the supreme lodge adopted
resolution which instructed the su-
preme chancellor and board of control
to prosecute civilly all persons liable
for ofenses committed aginst the en-
dowment rank.
This resolution passed by unanimous
vote, as also did another which in
structed the chancellor commander
and board of control to proceed with
view toward expulsion against mem
bers Of the order in their respective
lodges who might be found guilty Of
violating their obligtions in the hand
ling of funds.
After adjournment of last nights
session it was said that if criminal
prosecutions are instituted, which now
seems to be almost certain, 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 involved.
The action of the supreme lodge on
accepting the resignation of Mr.. Hin
sey was taken after two days session at
which thessreport of the board of con-
troll of the insurance commissioners of
Illinois, 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. It was said that
his explanations regarding the invest
ments Of funds made while he was at
! the 5aead of the rank were far from
satisfactory to the supreme lodge rep
resentatives, 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 disposi-
tion to let the matter of Hinsey's con-
nection with the supreme lodge settle
his standing in the order of the
knights of Pythias The following
resolutions were adopted:
Resolved, That the supreme chan
cellor and the board of control be and
they are hereby authorized and en-
powered and directed to prefer charges
and prosecute or cause to be prosecut
ed before the proper tribunal or tribu-
nails of the order all persons heretofore
or now connected with the endowment
rank for any violation of their obliga-
tion, and for any and all offenses un-
der the laws of the order.
Reolved, That the supreme chan
cellor and board of control be and they
are hereby empowered and directed to
prosecute or cause to be prosecuted
criminally in any court all persons
| who hive misused the funds of the or
der. defraauded the order, committed
| perjury or any other offense in con-
nection with the endowemnt rank. and
bring or cause to be brought civil ac
tions against all persons who are ible
to the order from any cause in connec-
ton with the endowment rank.
The wording of this resolution is
generally regarded as containing the
charges under which prosecution is to
be instituted. Mr.. Hinsey is mem
ber. of the Inter-Domain lodge of this
city, and it is probable that the su-
preme officers will prefer their chrges
against him in that lodge.
p The supreme lodge today decided
that the most expedient way of meet
ing the deficiency Of s50o,000 in the
treasury of the endowment rank is to
raise the insurance rate to the maxi
mum prescribed by the National Fra
ternal Congress. II. 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 $500
The board of control will continue
to investigate the affairs of the endow-
ment rank. The only immediate ac
tion which will be taken will be, it is
said, the instituting of some foreclos
ure suits in an endeavor to rescue as
much as possible of the money said to
have been carelessly invested.