The Washington times., 1902-07-06
AN IMPORTANT DECISION.


The report of the annual meeting of
the grand commandery of Knights Tenn
plar of the District of Columbia shows
the following important correspondence
to have been exchanged between the
eminent commander of De Molay Mount
ed Commandery and the grand COM
mander of District Templars:
Right Eminent Sir Knight George Glib
son, Grand Commander.
fright Eminent Sir: Permit me to
draw your attention to the Constitution
and Code OF Statutes and Digest of Tenn
plar Laws of the Grand Encampment of
Knights Tempiar of the United States
of America adopted at the twenty
seventh triennial conclave, held in Pitts
burg, Pe-. October H. u, IS, and "A.
1898, and 10 page IS thereof, part of Title
XLVIII. section 8, caption. How Re-
stored which reads: When a Knight
Templar is suspended from his COM
mandery a majority vote will restore
him TO good standing IN the order, and
unanimous ballot will restore to mem
bership also.'
Il submit herewith a copy of the by
laws of De Molay Mounted Conmandery
No. 4, K. T.. and draw your attention
TO Article VII, which seems to be, if not
in conflict. at least not as far-reaching
as is the instruction of the 'Constitu-
tion and Code of Statutes referred to-
and yet you will observe, by referring TO
page 20, that these bylaws were ap-
proved at the annual session of the
grand commandery of knights Tenn
plar of the District of Columbia. held
May 10, 1897.
"a for member of De Molay Com
mandery s suspended March 26, 1901
fer non-payment of dues. It is not an
ordinary case of suspension. for. accord
ing TO the statement Of this sir knight
he was Prevented from giving the atten-
tion which was demanded consequent
upon a wound received by him in bat
tie while engaged IN the service of the
United States in the Philippines. There
was set up In opposition TO the sir
knights statement a question as to its
reliability. Investigation proved that
as a fact the sir knight had served as
a soldier in the Philippines. but there
was no account given in the records of
the War Department OF his having been
wounded while in the service. On in
quiry being made of the frater, We were
advised that the wound in question was
obtained while acting as commissary
~
no record OF the same would be kept at
the War Department in consequence
Il go into details in order that you
may understand that there are two fac
tions 10 contend with-onc desirous Of
seeing the sir knight restored to mem
bership, the other apparently interested
in preventing the restoration. This case
seems to us to be one of easy settlement
under our bylaws, which direct that the
sir knight shall be re!nstated upon
payment of all arrears. il paid within
one year. and II not, he shall be rein
stated only on application. the same as a
nom affiliated Knight Templar. and the
payment of all arrears If we are to be
governed by the Code of Statutes OF the
Grand Encampment,' then a majority
vote will be required to restore the sir
knight to good standing in the order.
and a unanimous ballot to restore him
TO membership.
I'VE refer TO you, right eminent sir,
the question at issue, and will be CRATE
full TO you for a decision enabling us to
dispose of the matter. We will thank
you for suggestions, or advice. as 10 the
amendment of our bylaws.
ROBERT COOK. Commander"
"sir Knight Robert Cook, Commander
De Molay Mounted Commandery, No.
l. ~
"It Is my opinion that the words in
your bylaw. but shall be reinstated
upon payment Of all arrears II paid
within one year are in conflict with
the statute referred to. which prescribes
the manner in which a suspended mem
Der can be restored, viz: When a
Knight Templar is suspended by his
commandery, a majority vote will re-
store him TO good standing in the order,
and a unanimous ballot will restore him
TO membership also II seems clear.
therefore. that a suspended knight can
not restore himself by the simple pay
ment OF arrears within one year, but
that his restoration must be by vote OF
the comnandery as prescribed.
Having reason TO doubt the legality
of the act OF suspension in this case.
desire 10 call your attention TO section
OF the same title Of the statutes. which
is as follows: Suspension for nom
payment OF dues cen be inflicted by
the commandery only after due notice
TO the delinquent to appear at the time
II is proposed TO act upon his case. and
ar opportunity given him to be heard
i his defense; and any bylaw proyid-
intr for suspension without such notice