The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-06-13
DICT ATOR
IS REVERSED
Interesting Case Decided by
Knights of Honor.
THE COLLECTION OF DUES
A Change Made in the Whole Method.
Death of Another Member Re-
ported-Failure to Reduce
Salaries.

At its session held in the Masonic Tenn
ple In this city yesterday the supreme
Lodge knights of Honor handed down
an Important decision in an appeal case
which has attracted considerable at.ei-
ton and over which there appears 10
have been considerable discussion.
Just what are the details III this inter-
egting case cannot be ascertained. hein-
bers are chary of discussing tne lla Vel
and the chairman of the Press Coihllltlee
likewise declines to speak. Only me mere
fact Of the appeal and the decision arc
given out for publication
The appellant in the case was A. >.
Brand. OF Louisiana. For some cause,
which is not stated, this member was sus
spended. but was afterwards relnStateu
hy the grand dictator of the state. ope-
lousas Lodge NO. 349T, appealed from tlle
decision of the grand dictator and carried
the matter before the supreme dictator
of the order. Hero the decision OF the
state officer was reversed on question
OF law, Brand himself thereupon APP
pealed from this opinion 10 the Supreme
Lodge, the final court The queston
came up Yesterday In the Supreme Lodge.
and the decision of the supreme dictator
himself was reversed and the Louislanlan
was again reinstated. 1t was clear ana
decisive victory for the appellant.
The Meeting.
The meeting of the Supreme Lodge was
called to order at the usual hour yester-
day morning by the supreme dictator,
The body at once got down to business:
and during the day several matters or
interest and Importance to the members
were brought up and discussed.
Perhaps the most generally important
matter of the day was a change in tho
entire method of collecting the general
fund assessment and the lodge dues.
Heretofore the general fund assessment
for the Supreme Lodge has been sl.oo per
annum payable every quarter IN forty
cents instalments. The law was changed
so that this assessment shall be sl.oo,
payable at the rate Of thirteen cents each
month. In addition the lodge dues are
made payable in monthly instalments OF
not less than twenty-five cents. Ihese
instaments for the benefit OF the genera
fund and the lodge dues are made payaple
at the same time and In the same man
ner. with the same penalties for nom
payment as the benefit fund assessments.
The new law will go into effect December
], 1903. 1t provides for slight decrease
in expense to the members.
Another death Of a we'll known member
has Just occurred to further make this
session of the lodge q. gloomy one a
telegram received yesterday and read IN
the convention announced the death
Thursday night OF Supreme Representa-
tive Murray, Of Massa chusetts
An invitation has been received to
visit the virginia Club. which is doniciled
IN the old Van Lew residence. Many
have already accepted, and others will
visit the interesting old place before they
leave.
MEMBERSHIP AND SALARIES.
Considerable discussion developed yes
terday over the terms Of membership
OF certain of the members, who are al.
fo,. yYrn tcpg Of the Sill
preme Lodge. It was decided tina: the
term of those elected since last July,
when the change was made to biennial
sessions, and whose service began at
this session, should extend through the
full four years.
An effort was made to reduce the sala-
ries and the allowances for clert. hire for
the supreme dictator and the supreme
treasurer but the movement failed.
The appeal case of a. s, Brand, OF
Louisiana, was taken up and disposed
OF In the manner indicated above.
1t was voted to create George w. Ten
der IT, of Indiana, and Henry Walters,
or Louisiana, past grand dictators Tor
merltorlous services. The appointments
were requested through petitions from the
respective Grand Lodges of the two
gentlemen.
1t was also voted to donate . full set
OF supplies to the Vermont Lodge. at
Jacksonville. Vermont. which recently
lost its building, supplies, etc, In a fire.
Notes Of the Meeting.
The present session Of the Supreme
Lodge is one Of the most thoroughly
pleased and harmonious ever held. The
visitors seem to be pleased With the city
ard with the arrangements made Tor
them. Up to this time there has been no
suggestion of the next meeting place.
cd 1ro1a WILL snrOblljlY De
reached Monday.
Tomorrow the Supreme Lodge will Mt
tend services at the Second BAPTIST
Church, of which the Rev. DR.. ". r. l..
Smith Is the pastor Special seats VIII
be reserved, and any visiting members
| of the order will be welcomed by the
congregation. An attractive musical pro-
gramme has been arranged. The lodge
will assemble Sunday morning at lO:So
o'clock at the Jefferson, and Will attend
the services in a body.
A notable feature OF the present conven-
tlon is the unusually large attendance
| Of ladies'. the wives and daughters of the
members The ladies will meet at $3.50
| o'clock at the Jefferson this morning,
! and will take ride over the city, visit
ing the various points of interest.
In tho recent report OF the discussion
over the question of admitting women
Representative r, s. Fletcher, of Jack
son. Tenn, was omitted from the list OF
those who spoke. Mr.. Fletcher spoke IN
favor of the proposition.
Judge Clarke II. Johnson, Of the SUI
preme Court of Rhode Island, and Judge
l.. S. Ledbetter. both of whom were abb
ST. hnar h1N sin ~