The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-05-15
GRAND LODGE MEETS
NEARLY EVERY SUBORDINATE
 LODGE REPRESENTED.
W. s. Lewis of Mobile is Elected Grand Master-Jacob Pepperman of Montgomery is Chosen
 GraiAd Representative.

Birmingham, May 14.-(Special.)- The sixty-first annual meeting of the Grand Lodge, Independent Order Odd Fellows of Alabama. convened at Magnolia Hall this morning with all most every subordinate lodge in the ju- risdiction represented. The Grand Lodge settled down to business at once tee on Credentials made it's report on the officers elected last November by mail ballot and canvassed in the office of the Grand Master, J. sPepperman, at Montgomery in January.
 The following were declared to have received the highest number of votes for their respective offices: For Grand Master. w. s. Lewis of Mobile; for Deputy Grand Masters John Ellis of Anniston: for Grand Warden. Jake Burger of Birmingham; for Grand Sec retary. H. c. Weaver. of Huntsville for Grand Treasurer,a J. c. Bowie of Talladega; for Grand Representative J. Pepperman of Montgomery.
 Committees were appointed with the following as chairmen: Credential, H. c. Weaver: State of Order. Dr. w, c. Wheeler: Judiciary, Judge O. J. Semmes; Petitions and Appeals, D. W. McGaughey; Legislation. A. H. Fur ner: Finance, H. L. Mckee; Constitu- ton. J. H. Donahoo; Distribution. J. H. Sloss; Widows and Orphans Home, George Huddleston; Mileage and Per Diem, E. H. Cahall.
 Grand Master Pepperman of Mont gomery presented his report to the lodge, which was quite voluminous The report gives the following statis- tics: Total increase to May. 1901, 1.5l5, making a total membership of 6,569 to I4l0 three charters for new lodges were rec commended by the Grand Master. one lodge resuscitated and two consoiida- tions effected.
 The finances of. the Grand Lodge were reported to be In good. condition, with the expenses for this session consider ably less than last year. The Grand Master urged that serious considera- tion be given to the proposition to es- tablish permanent headquarters in Birmingham, reserving the right. how ever. to meet in any other place in the State should majority of the mem- bers of the Grand Lodge so determine. The Grand Master expressed the opin- ion that if Birmingham is selected as a permanent meeting place, the Grand Lodge may be able to secure one fare rates for the representatives and oth- CTS attending it's meetings, thereby saving $750 annually.
 Among his recommendations. MT. Pepperman urges that the salary Of the Grand Secretary be increased from $750 to ssOo per year; that the laws of the Grand Lodge be codified; that classes or ten or more seeking admis- sion to the order be taken in at re- duced rates; that ministers of the gos- pei be taken in without initiation fee; that no electioneering be allowed for Grand Lodge offices through the as- sistance O. outsiders and especially politicians; that the Grand Lodge dis continue the publication of the reports of the Grand Representatives; that the constitution of the Rebekah State As sembly be revised. and that the Grand Master be compensated If he gives more than thEse months of his term to the affairs of the Grand Lodge.
 In conclusion. Grand Master Pepper man reported that he had travelled nearly 10000 miles during sis term, hhasd. hhasd. visited visited 75 lodges, irad met ana talked with members of 125 lodges, had exemplified the nnwritten work in g lodges, had made 22 public addresses on Odd Fellowship. had rendered i3 of- ficial decisions, had tread and approved 45 sets of bylaws. had instituted 2S subordinate and five Rebekah Lodges, and had increased the membership 1.545.
 The greater part of todays session was devoted to listening to reports and other routine work The Grand Lodge will probably be in session here for three days.