The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-06-11
Imperial Council of the Order Be.
gins Its Sessions at San
Francisco.
ELECTION is EXPECTED TO-DAY.
Only Contest Is for Post of Impe-
rial Oriental Guide, for Which
There Are Thirty-One
Candidates.

! San FTanclsco. June 1o.-Nobles of the
| Mystic Shrine began the sessions of their
! Imperial Council here to-day. and tonight
| they appeared in parade which filled the
/ streets with the splsndor of the Orient and
made occidental San Francisco look like
| some city Of the Far East enjoying a festi-
| val.
Preceding the meeting to-day. mobiles OF
the order participated in a parade, which
gave forecast Of the glories displayed to-
| night. II included about I.5yo mobiles, some
Of them mounted, and many in picturesque
CElental attire.
Grand Marshal Z. p. Hurlbut. with his
stan and aides, rode in the lead, Immediate
ly followed by 4 mounted bugle corps Then
came body Of men. all in white except
their REQ Tez and flowing white capes, form
ing strong contrast to the black horses
they rode. Another body OF aides preceded
Dand which played weird Eastern music,
to which marched the Arab patrol.
Then came succession OF bands and
sorgeously attired mobiles on foot and on
horseDack- AT intervals the various drum
coIps performed beTiIderlng evolutions ana
We're enthusiastically cheerei by the thou
SANDS OF spectators. who lined the side
walks; The Denver Band and Drum Corps
preceded a carriage drawn by four black
hcrses, IN which rode Imperial Potentate
shangT ana Past Imperial Deputy Poten-
y long line Of carriages followed. con-
tanning the delegates to the Imperial Coun-
Gil, and their guests of honor brought up
the rear OF the procession. On arriving at
Golden Gate Hall. the imperial escort halt
ed, opened ranks and stood with drawn
scimitars, while the distinguished officials
passed into the building. The paraders then
dispersed.
Welcomed to Western Oasis.
Inc open session Of the Imperial Council
was begun with prayer and music. Illus
'trious Potentate Charles II. Murphy, on be-
hdt Of the California nObIeS, welcomed the
pAsrlmS TO the Western oasis and Mayor
Schmitz spoke for San Francisco. extending
the freedom OF the city. The council tnen
went into secret session.
Ihe Committee on Credentials made its
report and standing committees were ap-
pointed ImI erial Potentate Shaffer then
delivered his annual message TO the Inn
perlal Council the condition of the or
DER IN North America, ana its progress
the last year. The record of the last wear
is the prOudest in the history of the order
showing a gain OF 500 mobiles in the juris-
dlCtlon, with eighty temples in the United
States, TWO N Canada and one in Hawaii.
Inc increase IN the finances is the largest
known in the order. While no new temples
have been instituted applications are on
hand for new temples from Galveston, Tex,
Roanoke, Va, and Seattle, Wash.
Reports from the treasurer, recorder and
the standing committees were all satisfac-
tory. Saratoga Springs. n. Y, will be the
next meeting place OF the Imperial Council
tomorrow. In accordance with a tine-hon-
ored custom. Deputy Imperial Potentate
Cush Aiken of Omaha will be chosen i'm
pSriaI potentate without opposition.
The other officers will be advanced one
rank, except the treasurer and recorder
who will be reelected. The only contest will
De over the coveted place of imperial orr
entail guide, which Is the stepping stone for
hgher places. For this position thirty-one
candidates have been named. and there NAV
be more in the field