The Savannah morning news., 1904-06-22
CHANGES IN RULES
RECOMMEN DED
BENEVOLENT ORDER ELKS.
ANNUAL REPORT OF PRESIDENT
MARTIN NAMES SUGGESTIONS.

stand AToof Might Re Won Over
nv JudiC1' Gus MISUNDERSTANDING
Session Co nsumed by speech Max
ing-In Afternoon Visitors Took
Steamer Excursion smoker AZ
Night Was Attended by Large
Crowd of ELL s-Win Adjourn To-
day.
Elks from ten Georgia cities gather
ed at the De Soto yesterday morning
for their annual state convention.
Oratory consumed the time of the
session and when the addresses of the
morning were concluded the hour for
adjournment had arrived
More than a hundred Epzs were
present when the convention was call
ed to order by President E. L. Mar
tin. Mr. W. H. Connerat, ~, exalt-
ed ruler of Savannah Lodge No. 1873,
extended a welcome to the visiting
Elks on behalf of the local lodge.
Mayor Herman Myers. on behalf of
the city, welcomed the visitors,
In welcoming you to Savannah"
said Mayor Myers, Il welcome you to
a city where the Elk is wesl known
and honored for his good works. To
be an Elk here is to be recognized as
a man with a big heart and generous
impulses. In this city the Elks are
looked upon as one of the greatest
fraternal orders, and no man can say
aught but good of them.
Therefore it is especially gratifying
o. l,se-
deem it an honor that you have Sc
lected Savannah as your meeting place
and l bid you a cordial welcome and
hope your deliberations may be of
mutual benefit and when you return
home you Will cherish many pleasant
"reminiscences of your stay in our
city"
The words of Mayor Myers were re-
ceived with prolonged applause.
Greeting to Brothers.
Past Exalted Ruler Robert L. Cold
ing spoke on Greetings to Our Broth
ers"
IF you were to ask me to speak up
on the cardinal principles of Elk
dom you would place me in the midst
of hfe's beautiful garden. where the
perfume to enrich and bless mankind -
he said.
Yet strange as it may seem. we
have been grossly n9isrepl.esented and
have been held up TO the ridicule Of
the world as an institution whose only
purpose is convivial pleasure.
w bile il is a cardinal principle of
ElkdOn never to let the right hand
know what the left hand doeth. I take
a pardonable pride in saying that the
Elks have established a home at Bed
ford. Va, which Is a haven of refuge
for those of our brethren VINO are nC
longer able 90 help themselves
Justice teaches rs that the faults
Of our brothers we write upon the sand
and their virtues upon the tablets OF
love and memory. We can say which
has the cleanest hands before man.
but who can say which has the clean
est soul before God.
In behalf of Savannah Lodge, No.
1873, il gives me pleasure to supple
ment the welcome that has just been
extended to you by the Mayor of our
city to enjoy our hospitality. We hope
you will have such a pleasant time
that you will be glad to repeat your
visit. All I can say is,
Come in the evening. or come IN
the morning,
Come when you are looked for.
Welcome and greetings you'll find
here before you,
And the more often you come the
more we'll adore you "
Col. Robert A. Denny, of Rome, Ga,
responded to the words of the speaker
in a humorous vein, his talk being
replete with stories ard jest.
Important Changes Recommended.
The annual address of President
Martin was read, i'm which he male
a number of important recommended
tions for the good of the state asso-
citation, and which he believed would
do much towards strengthening the
organization. Some of the lodges had
grown lukewarm in their allegiance to
the state association, and it was with
a view to removing the difficulties
that the changes were recommended
The president declared that the as
ISOLATION was very fortunate in the
selection of the place for holding its
second annual convention. The assemb-
ling of representatives of the cities
in which the order had lodges, at
tested the loyalty of those lodges.
Tribute 10 savannah.
Fortunate are We" he said, in be-
ing the guests of this fair city by the
sea-proud birthplace Of Georgia and of
Georgia Nalor, and world renowned OK
ponent OF Southern chivalry and true
Southern hospitality. Methinks that
the sun by day and the stars by night
must shine with brighter light and
smile with joyous pride, as from the
violet-vaulted dome Of heaven they look
down upon the enchanting vista that
beauteous Savannah spreads out before
their enraptured gaze"
Important changes in the organiza-
ton of the state association were
pointed out. II was suggested that the
present Grand Lodge constitution and
laws be amended so as TO provide for
the establishment Of state grand lodges
and the conversion OF the present
Grand Lodge into the supreme body
of the order. as is the rule with other
secret orders. II was asked that a me-
mortal TO this effect be prepared and
presented 10 the Grand Lodge at its
next session.
Another change urged was that the
president of the state organization be
appointed district deputy by the grand
exalted ruler. TO have charge of the
state Of Georgia. 1t was hoped by this
10 keep In closer touch with the vari.
GUS lodges, the law now requiring an
annual visitation by the district depu.
~ TO each lodge In the state.
He also recommended the creation al
the office Of chaplain and a board q,
three trustees. II was suggested thai
the annual per capita tax be reduced
from 70 cents TO Is cents. Changes IN
the order Of business were outlined.
Address Was Referred.