The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1907-02-09
MASONIC GRAND LODGE.
,Ninety-fifth Grand Communication Held
at New Orleans with Record At
tendance of De1egates-MucIl

tendance of De1egates-Much
Business Transacted.
The ninety grand communiea-
ton of the Grand Lodge of Louisiana
Masons was held in New Orleans this
week and the attendance was larger
than that OF any previous session,
there being present approximately 600
delegates who represented $50 lodges
| from all parts of the jurisdiction. r..
Henderson and Lazard Meyer repre-
sented Ascension Lodge No. 251, of
Donaldsonville, and A. Fl. Landry
acted in like capacity for Milford
Lodge No. 1T, of Hope Villa, while
DR.. John S. Thibaut, also of Donald
sonville, was present in his capacity
of district deputy grand master.
Grand Master T.. c. Allen, of Shreve-
port, presided, and interesting ses-
sions were held Monday, Tuesday,
Wednesday and Thursday, the total
volume of business transacted being
very large. The grand master read
his annual report on Monday and
among the more important statements
and recommend ations contained in the
document were: the forwarding of $4,000
to the Grand Lodge of California for
the relief of the San Francisco earth
quake sufferers; to provide literally
for the needs of the Louisiana Relief
Lodge; the granting of dispensations
for new lodges at Slidell, Trout, Sum-
merfe1d, Rayne, Tioga, Vivian and
Pelican, and the proper observance of
Sunday. The grand master also called
attention to other matters of great in
terest to the craft and to the inade-
quacy of the Temple to the present
needs of the grand lodge, stating in
this respect that while the building
was in good order and bringing rev.
enue of $4,000 year, there was no
question but til at the attendance at the
annual communications was entirely
too great for the present grand lodge
room, and that an offer of $170,0 600
from a New Orleans club for the pur-
chase of the property would be con-
sidered later.
This matter came up Tuesday and
after much discussion the motion to
sell was tabled, most of the members
taking the view that the price offered
was altogether too low. It was de-
cided instead to use the funds accruing
from the temple building rentals in
purchasing site for a new Masonic
Temple to be erected at some future
time, and to set aside $50, 900 for the
enlargement and renovation of the
present structure, which will include
an entire repainting, retiling of the
floors, recarpeting, refurnishing and
the installation of a steam heating APP
paratus.
The election of officers took place
Wednesday and resulted as follows:
L. f. Thomas, Shreveport, grand
master; Fred. Marsh, Franklin, grand
senior warden; W. B. Null, Ruston,
grand junior warden; James Caldwell,
Robeline, grand lecturer; Richard
Lambert, New Orleans, grand secre-
tary; A. G. Kicks, New Orleans, grand
treasurer. Upon being installed the
newly. elected grand master announced
the following appointments: DR.. A.
Leigh, Lecompte, grand senior dea-
con; G. Girard, Lafayette, grand junior
deacon; John Puleston, Amite City,
grand marshal; W. M. Wallace, VIM
field, grand sword bearer; r. Fl. Po-
lack, New Orleans, grand pursuivant;
J. W. Armstrong, Welsh, T. H. Rob
erts, Downesville, G. F. Ratcliff, Zach
airy, and Charles E. Cormier. New Or
leans, grand stewards; Joseph Cath
art, New Orleans, organist; John A.
Davilla, New Orleans, grand tyler;
w. NJ. Baker, Arcadia, grand lee
turer. The appointment of deputy
grand masters for the several districts
in the state will be made in few days
and it is very probable that DIR. John
S. Thibaut will be reappointed, as he is
hard worker and is extremely popu-
lar with the lodges in his jurisdiction,
and if they have any choice in the |
premises the Doctors continuation in
Office is assured.
Meetings of the Grand Chapter of |
Royal Arch Masons, Grand Council |
of Royal and Select Masons and the |
Grand Commanderv of the Knights
Templar were held during the week
and at the election of officers of the
frst-named body DR.. John S. Thibaut
was complimented by being advanced
to the post of grand master of the first /
vale.
Among the pleasant features of the
session and one greatly enjoyed by
the delegates was an eloquent Grafton
upon Masonic subjects by Hon. Chas.
F. Buck.
Preparing for Emergencies.
Tho hoard IF oouni ionore of &ba