Omaha daily bee., 1902-08-13
PYTHIANS BEGIN THEIRWORE
Delayed Specials Keep Some Of the 0ficsru
Away from Opening.
lively CONTEST FOR SUPREME PRELATE
Supreme Representative Graves Deliv-
ers weIcoming speech to Assem-
bIed KniEhtn In Behalf of
Chairman Patton.

SAN FRANCISCO. Aug. 12.--The biennial
convention of the knights OF Pythias was
formally opened today In the Palace hotel.
Nearly $50 delegates were seated when SUI
preme Chancellor Ogden n. Fethers raped
for order. There were few vacant seats
and these will be nlled before the second
days session convenes. The absent grand
officers have all teiegraphed that they will
be here as soon as the delayed specials are
able to move.
After the days session was called to order
Supreme Representative Walker G. Graves
of California assembled the rostrum and in
behalf Of Chairman Charles L. Patton Of
the executive committee delivered . well
coming speech to the assembled knights.
Governor Henry T. Gage sent his regrets
at not being able to attend In person to re-
ceive the visitors to California and sent a
message OF welcome, which was read by
Myron Wolfe.
Supreme Chancellor Fethers responded in
humorous speech to the welcome OF the
governor assuring him that the knights
would make the best Of their stay in San
Francisco.
The large number Of visitors who had
witnessed the opening scene then withdrew
and the supreme lodge went into secret ses-
sion.
After the formal opening Of the session
Of the supreme ledge Knights Of Pythias
the first business was the comforting OF the
degree on some twenty delegates who had
never attended supreme lodge. The COM
mittee on credentials reported the delegates
all entitled to their seats. The noon recess
was then taken.
A hA aff aaanf0n rQNOrtQ
read.
Interest in Supreme Prelate.
During the week the supreme officers for
the ensuing two years will be elected and
installed. Interest centers on the election
Of the supreme prelate. and It is expected
there will be a lively contest. The other
supreme officers will probably be advanced
one rank.
The supreme temple OF the Pythian Sis
terhood met In Elks hall at 10 a. m. and
the supreme temple Of Rathbone Sisters as
sembled In Native Sons hall at the same
hour There promises to be much friendly
rivalry between these two afiliated organ
izations.
4=.S=a!s= General plurnar has established
his headquarters in the pavilion and has a
full stan Of officers. This brigade probably
will be by tomorrow night the largest COM
mand at the encampment, as the companies
from British Columbia, Oregon and Idaho
are being turned to him aa they arrive.
Supreme Chancellor Feathers, in his an
nual report. said THAT December 81 the
order had $40. .1ss afiliated members. To
this should be added at least 500 900 who
have, been suspended for nonpayment Of
dues or have taken withdrawal cards, max.
ing total OF more than 100000. During
1901 the figures were: Initiated. 55. .102;
reinstated. 1888; admitted by card. 1851;
total 7O.e1e. During the same year 4915
died. 26s were expelled. S,S7S withdrew by
card and S2.s57 were suspended. The net
gain for the year was 1874. This marks
the steady and permanent growth of the
order, which stood for the sacredness of the
home. for the integrity OF manhood and
the purity Of womanhood.
The report Of r. v. L. White, supreme
keeper of records and seal. showed that the
total number Of subordinate lodges Deeem-
Der 81. 1901 was 7.Oo2. the net gain during
the year being 142 lodges. The net gain
in 1900 and 1901 combined was 262 lodges
and 1882 members. He said that a per
capita tax OF cents per annum win pro-
duce sufncient revenue to meet all require
ments
The states having over 10000 members
were as follows: California, II, ,60I; I'LL
nois. 44.10s; Indiana 42.9a7: Iowa. 26,S52;
Kansas. 11.961; Maine, 1S.101: Massachu-
setts. 1873; Michigan. 1s.411; Missouri.
21 .O4e; New Jersey. 1929; New York, 20, ,27s;
Ohio. 6O.115; Pennsylvania. 42.1Os; Texas,
1854
The report OF the board of control, En-
dowment rank, showed that during the last
two fiscal years 1s.s47 applications were
considered and 1879 death claims. amount
ing to ss.o0s.s77, were paid. Since the or
ganization Of the rank 1901 death claims.
aggregating s17 ,6S6. .462. have been paid. The
receipts were. 1901, 1851. .17s: 1909. 81 .s75.-
OFT. The disbursements were, 1901, 81 ,554,-
ss7; 1902, s2.010.sSs. The resources March
81, 1892, were $22s .401, exclusive OF a
monthly payment due April 1 Of $3.50, ,79a.
The liabilities were S25e,254. There were
unpaid March 81. 1902. ia claims. aggre-
eating s250.00o.
The report Of Major General James r.
Carnahan. commander Of the Uniform rank.
set forth that there are S6s companies IN
good standing organized into ninety-nins
regiments. twenty-four brigadea. There
are. in addition, twenty-five separate COM
panies and warrants have been issued for
twenty-three more. The growth Of the
rank during the last two years. he said.
has been most excellent.
BsIated Specials Arriving.
A number Of belated special trains bear
ing many supreme representatives and
visitors to the supreme convention arrived
today. The newcomers included delegations
from New York. Ohio. Michigan, New
Hampshire and Tennessee. The supreme
Temple Rathbone Sisters conferred the SUI
prems degree on twenty-seven representa-
tives. Mrs. Ida M. Weaver OF Boise, Idaho,
known as the mother Of the order. made
an address and was given the seat OF honor.
Mrs. NJ. A. Fitzgerald. supreme representa-
tive from California. presented to each
delegates q facsimile OF the seal Of Cali
fornia. The temple adjourned at noon to
tomorrow morning.
Tonight the delegates and visitors were
entertained at Mechanics Pavilion. where
the Battle Of Gettysburg was reproduced.
Competitive drills and dancing were also
features Of the evening
Imperial Prince Clark arrived from De-
troit this morning and called to order the
Knights OF Khorassan at Pythian castle.
A brief session was held.
The report Of the Endowment Rank will
show a reduction OF the indebtedness from
$500 900 10 $500 The contested claims
have been cut from ffty-eight TO ten. The
receipts Of the rank now aggregate 50. 7OO.-
ntln r.aH