Omaha daily bee., 1902-10-09
PYTHIANS COMMENCE WORK
officers of the Grand Ledge Elected Without
Any Contests.
ADDRESS OF RETIRING CHANCELLOR
Recommends Eliminating Sick Bene-
fits and Regulations Dealing with
the Property of Defunct
Lodges.
CFrom a Sian Correspondent.l

DIES MONIES, Oct. ESPECIAL THE
grand lodge of Iowa, knights OF Pythias,
met this morning and took up the work OF
the session. IN open melting was held in
which the words of welcome were said and
compliments paid. Governor Cummins and
Mayor Bfenton addressed the sFand lodge
and there was a response by Grand Chan
cellor Porterield. This afternoon the grand
lodge was opened in secret. The matter OF
the election of officers, which promised to
cause some trouble, was disposed OF be-
fore the meeting. An effort had been made
to combine those who represent the opposi-
ton to what was called the ring" and
to thus defeat the slate which had been
made out before the delegates arrived in
the city. This morning 1t was announced
there had been an utter failure to combine
the opposition and that o. M. Gillett of
Independence would be elected grand chan
cellor to succeed Porterfeld and the
other officers would be substantially as
named several, days ago. The following
were elected.
Grand Chancellor-o. NJ. Gillett, Inde-
pendence.
Vice Grand CHANCELLOR. T. Gutelius,
Centerville.
Grand Prelate-S. L. Hill, Weldon.
Grand Keeper of Records and Seals-H.
H. ("Dad") Walker, Mount Pleasant.
Grand Master Of Exchequer-WlIl H.
o'Connell. Audubon.
Grand Master-at-Arms-T. B. Holmes.
Boone.
Grand Inner Guard-G. s. Pingrey, Cher
okee.
Grand Outer Guard-H. C. Pfnner, EN-
metsburg.
Grand Trustees-WilIiam Clark, Mar
shalltown, and A. C. Savage, Adair.
The address Of Chancellor Porterheld on
the order In Iowa was listened to atten-
lively. That part which related to the ef-
forts to make it appear that those in once
had been guilty of un-Pythian conduct was
received with favor.
Growth of Order in Iowa.
The annual report Of Frank Porterheld,
grand chancellor OF the domain OF Iowa,
contained a gratifying statement as to the
growth OF P~ythianism in Iowa, made a
number of radical recommendations and re-
ported on a vast amount Of work done dur
ing the year. Chancellor Porter1eld said
he had hoped when he took the once to be
able to report a membership OF 10000. On
January l last the membership actually
reported was 1880. and reports Of Increase
up to July 1 indicate that at that time the
membership was 20, 290. Since July 1 three
lodges have been organized and another in
stituted, so that it is certain the member
ship is now actually more than $4,000. In
the thirty years of the existence of the
gra Id lodge there has not been a year but
that there has been a gain In membership.
There were consultations Of lodges in sew
eral cities during the year and the chan
cellor recommends that not more than two
lodges be permitted in any city. In order
to secure efficient officers he would reward
them. as, for instance, creating a keeper
OF records and seals a past chancellor after
1--WE years Of service in that ONCE.
Sick Benefits Cause Trouble.
In regard to sick benefits Chancellor Por-
terheld urged that they be eliminated en-
tirely, as they cause more trouble than any
other thing in the Pythian lodges. Some
drastic legislation Is needed in regard to
defunet lodges and the law governing the
same. He recommends that the grand lodge
be incorporated and that the title to all
lodge property be vested In that lodge and
loaned to the subordinate lodges and some
one be required to report 1t.
There have been no appeals for permits
sion to circulate petitions for aid during
the year. The growth OF the order has
made IL necessary that special deputies
be appointed more freely than usual, and
during the year the following past chancel
lOrs were so commissioned: H.. G. Palmer
Emmetsburgi r. A. Pettibone. Lehigh; A. G
Cook, ottumwa; c.. A. Tibbitts, Council
Blufs; e. B. fainter. Carroll; f. A. Welch
OTTO; C. S. Hopkins. Lake City; Ed Mills
Red Oak; NJ. NJ. NJ. Clark. Marshalltown
and Peter stepsany. Manning.
The Uniform rank OF the order. under tn
I management Of ]. C. Manchester of OF
! tumwa, has increased to thirty-one com
panies. with sos men. The Endowmeu
rank is now In GOOD financial condition.
The Rathbone Sisters was organized 1
1891 with eight temples. and there are mo-
! $50 temples. with hVe not reporting an
several others In prospect.
Creates a Sensation.
e Grand Chancellor Porterfeld created
sensation by the manner In which he wer
n after persons who had been seeking vote
p for once in the grand lodge by Attaekin
otheFs and laying claim to knowledge Of