The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-17
The Strange Condition Is that 1t Will
Receive a Hearty Welcome
from All Citizens.
PATRIARCHS MILITANT MEET
TODAY THE GRAND ENCAMPMENT
WILL HOLD SWAY.
Grand Lodge Will Hold Its Meeting
TO-MorrOw-Disting uished Visitors
-Rebekahs Serve Banquet.

The Annual Council of the Indiana depart
ment of the Patriarchs Militant, Independ-
ent Order of Odd Fellows, was held yes
terday afternoon and evening in the Odd
Fellows Hall. corner of Pennsylvania and
Washington streets. To-day the Grand En-
campment will meet, and nearly one thou
sand Odd Fellows are expected in the city
from all parts Of the State Tonight an
exhibition of camp work will be given in
the hall, and tomorrow the Grand Lodge
viii! begin it's semi-annual session.
The Council was called to order at
o'clock yesterday by Gen. j. L. Bodine, of
Indianapolis. department commander, with
about seventy-five representatives present.
The afternoon was devoted largely to the
port showed that the condition of the de-
partment is now in better condition than
ever before. and the reports of the depart
ment clerk and treasurer were also satisfac-
tory. The latter part of the afternoon was
spent in general legislation. the most i'm
portant question being that of membership
in the Patriarchs Militant the issue arising
at the national meeting of the Grand Lodge
officers in Baltimore several months ago.
Under the present system a member to
become Patriarch Militant must first pass
from the subordinate lodeg to the encamp-
ment from which he enters the Patriarchs
Militant. The new plan, however which is
now before the various state departments.
is to make 1t possible for a member of a
subordinate lodge to pass directly into the
Patriarch Militant. The question was given
thorough discussion by the department yes
terday, although there was not much op-
position. As a result the department in
dorsed the new system. 1t is thought by
members of the uniform rank that the plan
VIII receive the support of a majority of
the departments of the State.
GIVEN A BANQUET.
AT 5 o'clock the Council adjourned and
banquet was served the officers by the In
dianapolis Rebekah Lodge, No. $50 Last
night the session was devoted to comforting
degrees on a. number Of new candidates.
The ritualistic work was most elaborate,
and was said to have been the finest that
has ever been given in this country among
the Odd Fellows. Among the distinguished
visitors were Gen. M. A Raney. of Des
Moines, Ia, commander of the Patriarchs
Militant army of the United States: Brig
Gen. L. +. Robinson, department COM
mander OF Michigan, and two members of
his staff.
Various questions of Jurisdiction and
grievance are expected to come up to-day
at the Grand Encampment The election
VI ohicelS VIII diSo occur, out IL is tnougnt
there will be no contests. An exhibition of
camp work tonight in the hall will be the
feature of the day.
When the Grand Lodge convenes to-mor-
row, 1,5OO Odd Fellows and Rebekahs from
lodges throughout the State are expected
to be present. One of the most important
matters to come before the Grand Lodge
will be the appropriation of $4,000 for an
addltional building at the Odd Fellows
Home, near Greensburg. At present the
home is crowded and more room is needed
1t is thought the appropriation will be
Endorsed. special excursion will be run
Friday or Saturday to the home at
Greensburg to give the visitors an opportu-
nifty TO visit the institution.