The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-02-22
BOND is CHOSEN,
Elected Grand Master by the
Masonic Grand Lodge.
Session One of the Most HarmO-
NOUS Ever Held.

The state grand lodge of Kansas
Masons reconvened at Representative
hall this morning at ten o'clock and
proceeded with the election of officers.
Thomas L. Bond of Salina was elected
to succeed S. R. Peters of Newton as
grand master Edward w. Wellington
of Ellsworth was elected deputy grand
iaster, H. F. Mason of Garden City,
grand senior warden; Fred Washburn
of Anthony, grand junior warden; AL
bert Sarbach of Holton, grand treas
urer and A. K. Wilson Of Topeka, grand
recording secretary.
The meeting was one of the most har-
moniOus ever held by the
grand lodge of the state, and If there
ever was at any time a doubt about
the succession of the carcidates to the
place next above that one which they
occupied it was not in ecide2ce at the
morning accommodation. There was at
no time two candidates for any of the
offices and the election of the officers
who eyre chosen was by an unanimous
ballot. The election this morning was
really an advancement of one cir Of
the officers elected, as is one of the I'M
written laws of Masonry. although
there are times when the rule is not fol-
lowed.
The chairs of the Masonic bodies are
usually filled by rotation with the ex-
ception of that of secretary and treas
urer, in these two offices an exception
to the rule is made. Grand Secretary
A. K. Wilson who was reelected today
has served for twelve years in his pres
ent capacity. His reelection today be-
ing just twelve years from the time he
was elevated to his present position.
Albert Sarbach who was again elected
as treasurer has served three years IN
his present capacity.
Aside from the election oc officers and
the reading of the reports of various
officers and committees there was notn-
ing done this morning in the way Of
transacting the business of the order
Newton lodge, No. 142, of which the
retiring grand master, S. r. Peters, IS
a amernb er. presented him with IAN
elaborate and elegant past grand
masters jewel as token of their
friendly feeling towards the retiring
officer. The presentation speech was
made by Brother Ely, who is mem
Der of the local lodge at Newton, and
was replied to by the retiring grand
master.
The business meeting Of the grand
lodge will close before noon Friday,
as about all of the business before the
body has been disposed of.
The semicentennial anniversary of
the grand lodge will be held in the
Auditorium this evening, commencing
at 8 o'clock. A musical programme
has been arranged. which will be
given under the direction of Prof
Penny, and will intersperse the talks
of the evening. The principal address
of the evening will be delivered by
Thomas z. Dewey, of Abilene, fol-
lowed by short talks by other mem
bers Of the grand lodge. This meet
ing VIII be open to all Masons, their
friends and their families.
The meeting tonight while it is the
celebration of the f1ftieth anniversary
of the grand lodge of Masonry in Kan
sas, is not the celebration of the.
foundation of the Masonic order in the
state as for number of years prior
to this local lodges existed in the state
under the direction Of the grand lodge
of Missouri.
1.-THE fight on the elevation Of z. w.
Wellington of Ellsworth to lha Office
of deputy grand master and which
must have emenated from the mind of
some over jealous newspaper man
failed to materialize," said Secret ~
Wilson, 'as did the other disagree
ments which have been said to exist
by one of the newspapers. The meet
Ing was one of the most harmonious
| that have ever attended and the fact
I that there was but one ballot ken On
each of the candidates Indicates that
! there was nothing but harmony in the
meeting. The meeting has been a
| splendid success from every standpoint
and there was between fifteen hundred
and two thousand delegates IN attend
ance at the meetings"