Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1908-06-11

line Grand secretary reported that the veterans
jewel, ordered at last grand session, had been
awarded to Judge e. H. Norton, of P ate City, who
has held continuous membership in Nebraska Lodge
No ~ at Platte City, for 63 years. The awarding
OF this jewell has brought out the fact that
contains number of brothers who have been mem
bers fifty years or more and our Grand Secretary is
preparing roster of these names
Wednesday forenoon was also largely used in
consideration of the reports and the submission of
proposed changes which under the rules must be
referred to proper committees for later action.
In the election of Grand Warden on Wednesday
Past Grand D. E. Bird of Kansas City, was selected
on the first ballot. Bro. Bird was formerly mem
Der of Comet Lodge No 2s4, Quitman, and is
well-known to the membership of District No Is as
we'll as the brotherhood of the entire state
The greater part of the time Of this session was
used by the Grand Lodge Committee Of the Whole
in the consideration and adoption OF the new Grand
Lodge Constitution. The new laws as sent out asst
year were adopted with but little change as a matter
of fact those laws not very interesting to the
members Of our subordinate lodges and shall not
devote too much time to discussion Of the changes.
The most radical change was the doing away with
the Odd Fellows Home board and putting the prop
erty and management Of that institution into the
hands of the Grand Lodge trustees. Another i'm
portant change was the admission Of the members Of
the Rebekah degree to full privileges Of the Home
after tve-years membership in the order.
The 1907 laws for subordinate lodges were not
changed to any great eXtent-only few sections
were disturbed and in most cases these changes
were in laws that did conform to the new Soyer-
eign Grand Lodge laws. The Grand Secretary will
soon have these changes made and three copies will
be sent to each lodge.
In the unfortunate controversy between the
Grand Lodge and White Cloud Lodge No. o. Of
Maryvillc, the Grand Master was fully sustained
and the charter of the lodge was surrendered The
lodge management took appeal which will delay
re-orgf nizaton that could otherwise have been made
at n early date, and we hope it may soon be per-
manently settled, but until such time the least said
about the matter will be the best,
Late Friday afternoon the following Grand
Officers for the ensuing year were installed.
Judge w. 7. Marshall Charleston, Grand
Master; Rev. J. Sullens Springfield Deputy Grand
Master; j. W. Wilkerson, St Louis, Grand Secre-
taty; Charles F. Vogel, ST. Louis Grand Treasurer;
D. e. Bird, Kansas City, Grand Warden. S. F..
Clark, Webb City, L. j. Eastn, St. Joseph, repre-
sentatyes to the Sovereign Grand Lodge OF !. O. o.
F. of the World, which meets in Denver in Septem-
ber
Appontive offices were filled as follows:
Thomas J. Douglass, Carruth Grand Marshal;
Rev. a. Stirling, Gum City. Grand Chaplain: J. c.
Russell, East Prairie, Grand Conductor; Leo L.
Lemon Springfield, Grand Guardian; John W.
Black St. Louis, Grand Herald
There are number Of other things l would like
to say to you. but space forbids. will gladly an
visit each lodge in our district at an early date I
wish that more of our Past Grands could visit the
Grand Lodge meetings and catch some OF the enthu-
slasm and fraternal spirit that prevails on these oc
cassions. In many ways this was a remarkable ses-
sion-remarkable for the amount Of work done, tor
the earnestnes of the workers and for the good feel
ings manifested in spite of the great interests at
stake. Another good of this session was the
conduct of the new members 90 per cent being first
termers, yet the work dspatche1 with the ability
and care of old timers. 1t q credit to be a MEM
Der OF the Grand Lodge of 1908 and 1 predict the
next session. which will be held in Springfield May
1909, will be good one in many ways. I cannot
close the letter without saying good word for the
Grand Officers of the year just closed. Grand
Master Clark devoted his entire time visiting almost
every part of the jurisdiction. Grand Secretary
Wilkerson is still the same rustling, pushing ener-
getc Billy Wlkerson and is planning for other
big things in the future Let give him and our
new Grand Master our hearty support in building
up the interests of our noble order.
\. J. SHEPARD.