The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-06-12
TRIBUTE TO
THEIR DEAD
A Sad Service Is Held by the
Knights Of Honor.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Ex-Governor j. 6. Sheppard, of South
Carolina, Chosen Supreme Oicta-
tor-The Others Who We're
Chosen.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS

While the remains OF the late lamcnted
treasurer of the order were being borne
to the grave in st. Louis yesterday after
noon. the members Of the Supreme
Lodge, Knights Of Honor. now In annual
convention here, gathered sorrowfully
at the Masonic Temple to pay tribute
to the memory of the distinguished
brother and to the others who, like
him, have departed this life.
In more respects than one the occasion
was sad and pathetic. THE consciousness
Of the fact that even MS they sat there
the obscques Of the supreme treasurer.
news of whose sudden death came as an
appalling shock to the convention we're
being conducted in the far-away city.
cast over the nssemblage gloom deeper
even than that which would ordinarily
accompany a. service Of such charac-
ter. Several touching tributes were
paid to the memory of the deceased
members. and particularly to him who
has SO recently passed away.
THE SERVICE
The service was called to order by the
supreme dictator, Mr.. .. S. Bggs Of
Boston, who. In opening, made an appro-
pirate address.
One Of the features OF the day was a
+ Dcdutllui musical programmes, rendered
under The direction of Professor Jacob
Rclnhardt. OF this city. A quartette COM
posed OF Mrs. Jacob Reinhardt soprano:
Mrs. Z. II. Cloves. contralto: Captain
Frank Cunningham. tenor. and Mr.. Os-
car z. Lehman. bass. sang several selcc-
tons. including "Still. Still With Thee"
Peace Perfect Peace and LEAD.
Kindly Light" In addition. Captain
Cunningham sang elders Take Ne.
YSat <>ft no. ,net Jt,-
tinguished speakers of the Supreme
Lodge were included in the list Of those
who paid tributes to the sacred dead
Among them were Ex-Governor Sheppard.
OF South Carolina. now the supreme die
tator: Supreme Reporter Givan, Judge
Savage. of the Supreme Court of Maine;
Past Supreme Dictator Gratz. Represent
tative Riggs, of Kansas; Representative
Neal Of Tennessee. and others.
When the gentlemen spoke In feeling
terms OF the late treasurer who died SO
recently tears filled many eyes. So 1t
was, also. when the Committee on Me-
crology made It's report, through Rc1re-
sentative Boyle. Concerning the much
loved officer. this report said, in part:
when the dispatch announcing the
death of Joseph w. Branch was read 1t
caused subdued silence. which was
only relieved by the copious tears that
stood upon the cheeks OF all-even those
who are not given to weeping. The uni
versal expression was that n great man
had fallen by the wayside. For one yen,-
liz was our supreme treasurer by the
choice OF n majority OF the members of
the Supreme Lodge and for eighteen
years he has been the unanimous choice
OF his brethren to succeed himself Dur
ing that time over seventy million dollars
that was az sacred as any money ever
coined. passed through his hands. ard
when he gave a n account OF his steward
ship II was shown that there was no rea-
son to doubt his business capacity nor
his honesty He was discriminating and
tenacious In his friendships. and com
prehensive and tender In HIS dealings
with all There was always about him
M earnestness OF spirit, dignity of ex-
preston. and n character OF sincerity
that challenged the respect and confi-
dence Of those who differed from him.
His engaging personality bound MS to
him with ties never to be broken. While
he developed traits that made him promi-
nent in the business mart and the social
circle, he reached his highest altitude
through his domestic virtues. Neither
song nor story contains anything more
touching than his devotion to his wife,
to whom, till he drew his last breath, he
was still the lover
The Business Session.
AS might be supposed. the lodge. in
view OF tho memorial service, transacted
no business yesterday afternoon. The
only other meeting 1t held was In the
morning, when it succeeded In accom-
Jlishing vast deal of work. Chief
among these transa ctions was the cleo
lion of officers and the selection of Gov
ernor Sheppard as supreme dictator. A
successor was also chosen to the late
treasurer. A notable feature of the day
was the entire smoothness with which the
election was made. The lodge has an un-
elected for a second term, but every two
years 1t changes all around, This was
one of the years for these changes, and
they were made, but made under most fla
ycrable circumstances. There were but
few contests, and the best of good feeling
election of officers, the morning session
was conspicuous for several important
decisions reached
CALLED TO ORDER.
Tho lodge was called to order about 10
O'Clock in the morning by the supreme
dictator. Two or three absent members
reported, and Past Grand Dictator Louis
p. Pacquet, of Louisiana, was admitted
and initiated.
The report of the Committee on Good
of the Order was taken un and discussed
and acted upon. In the first place, the
lodge sustained the Recommendation OF
the report declining to change the laws
of the order providing that no person
shall designate his subordinate lodge as
his beneficiary. The only legal beneficiary
of man is a blood relation or, In some
cases, his Wife The lodge also adopted
the recommendation of the committee
which declared it ineSpedent at this time
to change the laws so that two aged
members who have paid the full $4,000
may remain in benefit and stop further
payments
Efforts We're made to return to the plan
formerly followed of holding annual ses-
sions, hut without effect, This question
was fully discussed at last years meeting
ot,the lodge, and the decision In favor of