The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-09-22
ODD FELLOWS in SESSION
SOVEREIGN GRAND LODGE CONVENES
IN MONUMENTAL CITY.
Reports of Membership in Subordi-
ciaI Showing Exceedingly Good.

BALTIMORE, Sept. 21.-The opening ex-
ercises of the annual convention of the
Sovereign Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows be-
gan here this morning at o'clock in
Ford's Opera House. The Sovereign Grand
Lodge previously assembled at Rennert's
Hotel and marched to the opera house.
under command of Grand Marshal John r.
Cockrum, of Indiana, escorted by the
patriarchs militant. At the opera house
Grand Master Edward Rossman of the
Grand Lodge of Maryland delivered an adj
dress of welcome, which was responded to
by Governor John Walter Smith on the
part of Maryland and Mayor Robert NJ
McLane for Baltimore. Grand Sire John
b. Goodwin, of Georgia, then made an ad-
dress, after which the Sovereign Grand
Lodge proceeded to Odd Fellows Temple
and began it's secret deliberations.
The annual report of Grand Sire and
Commandment Chief John b. Goodwin.
which was read shows the order to be in
n f1ourishing condition. A large part of the
report is taken up in a recapitulation of the
decisions of lodge questions made during
the past year, amendments to the constitu-
tions of Grand Lodges and Grand Encamp-
mentS, new bylaws, new lodges and en-
campmentS chartered account of the fin
PRODUCTION of the order in the Philippine
islands, condition of the order in Cuba,
Australasia and other foreign countries
The condition of the order at the close of
1902 is shown by returns as follows: Subor-
dinate lodge members Dec. 81, 1902, LOGS, 906;
encampment membership, 154, $50; Rebekah
Lodge membership brothers, 151, 1876; sisters
25S, $500 add Australia (sex not given)
1854. making total Rebekah membership
All 955. Patriarchs Militant membership
IL. 754. Total membership of order, which in
cludes the subordinate lodge membership
and the sisters only of the Rebekah lodge
membership is 1886 The encampment
membership and the brothers of the Re-
bekah lodges are not included i'm the above
total, as they are subordinate lodge men,
bers.
Revenue, relief and invested funds are in
Dictated as follows: Revenues or receipts of
1902: Subordinate lodges, $40 PA, 900; encamp-
ments $712, 522. 40; Rebekah lodges, $626, 743 49,
total revenue, ST., $50, O5.29; an increase of
expended in 1902: Relief by lodges, 49,
559 749.3 Sc; relief by encampments, $3.50 ST.. 80:
relief by Rebekah lodges, So, IS; total re-
lief, s., 1888 220.0S. Total relief as shown by
records since 1890 TO 1902, inclusive, $g4 4eS,-
42532
The reports of the grand secretary, adiu-
tant general and grand treasurer contain a
review of work of the order during the year
1902, charters issued during the year, frater-
nal publications, Grand Lodge journals
homes and asylums owned by the order and
reports of the grand lodges to the Sovereign
Grand Lodge of receipts and expenses. The
cash balance in the banks to the credit OF
the Sovereign Grand Lodge on July 81, 1903,
was $45. 237, 90.
Tonight the thoroughfares and public
buildings and many mercantile houses are
Illuminated In honor of the % ,000 visitors.
This evening reception was rendered TO
| Grand Sire Charles Nj. Goodwin. of Atlanta.
Ga, and Gen. NJ. A Raney, commanding
| the Patriarchs Militant. Grand Master
| Edward Rossman. of Maryland. was master
of ceremonies. The reception consisted OF
the Introduction of the leading members
| and their families to the heads of the two
| branches OF the order. At the same time
| a concert at the Patriarchs Militant head
/ quarters was i'm progress.
| AT the meeting to-day of the Patriarchs
| Militant resolution was adopted TO permit
| the militant branch of the order TO recruit
! its forces from subordinate lodges. The
1 resolution will be presented to the Sovereign
/ Grand Lodge, the acceptance by the latter
| being required before il becomes law.
AT the reception tonight in Fifth Regi-
ment Armory Gen. NJ. a. Raney. command
| ing general of the Patriarchs Militant, was
/ presented with diamond-studded sword
/ by Grand Sire John b. Goodwin. on behalf
1 of the staff of the grand sire. The address
/ of presentation. and the words of General
/ Raney in accepting the gift. were listened
| to by several thousand persons, nearly halt
OF the audience being women.