Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-23
RADICAL CHANGE MADE
IMPORTANT LEGISLATION BY THE
SOVEREIGN GRAND LODGE.
Power Of Grand Sire Increased
Lodge Rejects Proposition to Bar
Liquor Manufacturers.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

PHILADELPHIA, Pa, September 23.-In
the closing hours of Its session the Sow
ereign Grand Lodge. 1. o. o. F., has accom-
plshed some legislation Of great impor-
lance. The principal itemis a radical change
in the system of representation in the body
Itself. Heretofore the term of all grand
representatives has been two years, but
this is now altered so that one grand rep
resentative shall be elected for a term of
one year, but the other representative shall
be elected for an indefinite term. This was
done so that each Jurisdiction can have at
least one experienced representative pres
ent at each annual communication.
1t is also believed that it will lead to the
custom of electing each grand master and
grand patriarch to the Sovereign Grand
Lodge at the end of his term OF office for
the short term. This change is an expert
| ment that many grand representatives re-
garded a doubtful, but :. was carried by
a large majority.
After considerable discussion as to the
| advisability of changing the funeral cere-
mony of subordinate lodges it was de-
cided by a vote of 1i5 to IS to make no
changes in the ceremony now used The
main objection to. the ceremony as now
worded was on the ground that 1t was
sectarian. This the committee showed to
be a misstatement, and, further, that the
same resolution had been rejected at the
sessions OF 1893 and 1894.
The power of the grand sire was increased
by giving him authority to hear and decide
all questions arising out of the constitutions
of state, district and territorial grand
lodges and encampnents, which has hther-
to been prohibited by the Sovereign Grand
Lodge constitution. The amendment also
gives him power to FIJI vacancies in Sow
ereign Grand Lodge Offices created by the
death of the incumbent, such appointees to
serve the unexpred term. His decisions i'll
all such cases are final, except when re-
versed by the Sovereign Grand Lodge.
Rejected Liquor Ban.
The Sovereign Grand Lodge defeated the
proposition to bar from eligibility to mem
bership all persons engaged in the manufac-
ture of liquor, except those who make wine
from grapes raised by themselves This &C.
casioned one of the most animated discus
sions of the entire session, and the amend
ment was finally indefinitely postponed.
On the vexed question of affiliation with
the Manchester Union, the committee re-
ported that the matter was too broad to
be acted upon In short time, and rec
commended that 1t be referred to the next
annual session.
The proposed legislation concerning the
Patriarchs Militant has not been disposed
Of
No changes were made in the ritual of the
subordinate lodges, but some minor changes
were made in the ritual Of the Rebekah
branch.
When the Grand Lodge meets at Toronto
next year the use of the parliamentary
buildings will be extended to the order
This courtesy was secured through the eff
forts of DR.. ]. c. Campbell, lord mayor of
London. Ontario, who has been present dur
ing the session in this city. Expressions of
thanks to Philadelphia were general yes
terday and on all sides the city was praised
for the courtesy extended to the order
Mileage accounts aggregating $50, 600 were
paid last night and the grand representa-
tives are getting ready to spend it in going
home. Nearly all the visitors have preceded
them.
Montague Put Forward.
Virginia will present the name of Hill
Montague Of Richmond for deputy grand
sire at the Toronto convention next year
He is very popular in the Sovereign Grand
Lodge and will probably be elected
The unwritten law of the order which
makes the deputy grand sire step up to
grand sire at the expiration of his term,
will make Deputy Grand Sire Conway of
Chicago the grand sire of the order next
year, when r. A. Wright Of Allentown joins
the ranks of past grand sires. If elected
deputy grand sire Mr.. Montague will be the
head of the fraternity for the term of 1908
1910.