The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-08-18
MEETS AT TUSKEGEE
NEGRO MAsoNs BEGIN THEIR DE-
 LIBERATI0Ns.
Grand Master Binferd Delivers [ Thoughtful Address on Conditions sf His People--Go0d Re-
 ports Received.

TAoughtful Address on C0zditions
 sf His People--Good Re-
 ports Received.
 Tuskegee. Aug. 7--(specia2.)--At . o'clock this morning, the negro Grand to order in the assembly room. Hunt ington Memorial Building. Tuskeges Institute.
 The meeting was opened by song and prayer by Grand Chaplain Davis.
 Warren Logan. treasurer. represent ing Principal Booker T. Washington. delivered a welcome address in be- half of Tuskegee Institute. and A. T. wiiborn. a trustee of the institute. de- livered an address or welcome in behalf of the citizens of Tuskegee. Professor A. A. Peters. of Girard. . leading educator. responded in behalf of the Grand Lodge.
 The lodge then want into executive session. The Grand Master appointed of W. H. H, Dixon. J. A. Byrd and ". Afford. The roll of 414 lodges was called. representing 1000 members. after which the following committees were appointed:
 Byrd. N. Afford.
  CTS. E. W. Kennedy, s. N. Dicksrsop Returns of Lodges--J. R. Curtis. E. D Davidson. William Clark. Charters and s--Profes- sor R. B. Hudson. B T. Brewton. A. A. Hill.
 Bylaws of Lodges--c. c. Todd. P. J. Heard. Jonas Smiley. Obituary-W. H. Nixon. c. e. Car ter. William Simmons.
 Appeals and Grievances-J. D. Adams, D. w. Daniel, TsJ. Hooks Accounts and Claims-P, F. Clark. Oscar Lee F. D. Smith. Jurisprudence-P. W. White. c. D. Shortridge. D. E. Altman. Temperance--J. H. Culver. R. W. Pope, c. H. Moore.
 Education--H. c. Binford, Jr., ]. F. McClellan.sF. M. Ferguson.
 Endowment-R. T. Thomas. R. D.. Leonard, E. M. Cater.
 Foreign Correspondence - Jeremiah Barnes. S. B. Hayes. R. w. Brazelton.
 Auditing Committee-P. F. Clark, Charles Hendiey, J. W. Powell
 Exemplification of the Work-W. H. Doak, B. l.. Nicholson, H. Fl. Garrett, H. P. stevens. J. W. Brooks. ]. H. Williams.
 Resolutions-J. W. Powell, Charles W. Lovett, Joseph Phillips. In his annual address Grand Master Binford said:
 'The past year has been one of pam ic. troubles and cares for us all. The effects of the union and strike in the mineral district is stiff felt. Some lodges have disbanded, others had to consolidate. Many of our men have been unable to obtain employment again at the mines and have left the State. All of this was brought about by listening to designing men from the North who were only using us as cats paws to pull chestnuts out of the fire.
 "You will remember that after the war, though we were living here among this people, on their land in their houses and in many instances, they furnishing us with the necessaries of life, yet by no sort of persuasion could we be induced to vote for one of them. We thought that we must vote for what was called Republican. and so we did When the Southern white men saw that they could not change us, they dIsfranchised us, and the former. so-called Republicans, were the first to clap their hands and shout.
 Now this union business is the same old thing. Look at the firemen's strike in Georgia. In the North our people are excluded from them, but down here they want to use you and they are in- viting you in. and mark my words as
  be the first to push you out. Stay out of them. Let the operators know that we want their ifriendshlp and that we are willing to do an honest days work for an honest days pay.
 "I am aware that the position I take is not popular but as I see 1t, 1t is the best course for us to pursue, and God being my helper, intend always to tell you what seems to me right. Had you needed my warning and kept this matter out of our lodge room l would not have alluded to 1t, but you brought it into the lodge; houses were blown up, trains were fired into and many people ambushed and Killed, to say nothing of the want and destruction it has caused.
 Masonry does not. and cannot, stand for this and I feel 1t my duty to de- nounce 1t as strong as I can. I think there were only few of our men con- nected with these operations. but that few were bringing disgrace and shame to us, and I had to denounce 1t.
 Notwithstanding this and many oth- CT hardships. we are still growing, building halls and getting homes. I think the lawmakers are learning that we are law-abidinE and peaceable citi- zens."
 Deputy Grand Master, Gregory. of Greenville, delivered a fine address on The Principles of Masonry"
 The report of Grand Treasurer H. c. Harris showed a grand total for the year of $11,50533 received and a dis bursement of $4,163.39. leaving a bal ance on hand of s7,341,s4.
 The report of Grand Secretary Me- Daniels through whose hands all money for this department passes to the treas ury, followed the report of Treasurer Harris. corroborating it,. showing also the progress of the order In raising money for current expenses. These two reports were received with ap- plause.
 Endowment Secretary c. W. Allen. of Mobile, read his report of which the foll owing is a summary:
 Balance brought forward, 190s$ 3,e2s.01 Collections through year. 5S,045.7O Refunded .... .... .......... 10000
 Total sss a7s n Amount current expenses
 through year ............$ 1,491.15 Endowment paid through year 5s.300.00 Balance on hand ............ 2.4S2.56
 IOtdI
 The present session Is regarded as the largest in the history of the order Up to late hour today. as many as fifteen t,.