The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1909-01-29
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Two days deliberations have IN the
past sutficed to dispose of the business
of the annual convention of the Sons
of Herman organization of Minnesota
but the session that opened this morn
ing i'm the local hall on south Front
street will it is predicted, continue
until Thursday night, business of nm
usual interest and Importance promis-
ing to claim attention at this time.
1t is the thirty third annual meet
inc of this fraternal order, and has
attracted to Mankato between ninety
and hundred delegates from all parts
of the state. The majority of the del
egates arrived last evening and early
this morning and all but dozen re-
sponded at roll call Immediately upon
the opening of the convention at ten
o'clock. Noon trains brought several
delegations which swelled the total at
tendance to nearly a hundred men.
Fritz Ziegler of Saltwater, as grand
president, called the convention to order
and the initiation of ex-presidents was
had.
j. w. Andrews, mayor of Mankato,
was to have delivered an address of
welcome to the delegates, but was I'M
able to attend because of the death of
a relative. A letter of greeting from
Mayor Andrews on behalf of the people
of MankatO was read and enthusiastic
cally received.
Year of Prosperity.
The reports of the different offices
which will be read before the cOnven-
tion will disclose the fact that the year
1908 was one of unprecedented pros
perity for the order. The report of
Grand Secretary Harpke will show four
thousand members in good standing
at the present time besides, the es-
Establishment of five new and flourish
ing lodges last year besides the mi
tiation of over five hunderd members
to strengthen the organization.
Funds on hand amounting to grand
total of $4,000 will be itemized in
which will also show disbursements
during the year of $4,000 paid for
death benefits, $4,000 paid for sick
benefits and $4,000 expended for generel
expenses.
This afternoon the session was given
up principally to reports and recon-
mendatiOns from the various lodges re-
presented. These are important because
they will greatly influence the subse
quent transactions of the convention.
The election of officers will probably
take place tomorrow, but it is not
thought that there will be many
changes i'm the roster of officers. Grand
President Ziegler has announced that
he will not be candidate for reelec
ton but every pressure is being brought
to bear to induce him to accept the
office another term. 1t is thought that
he will finally be prevailed upon, but
in case he is not the presidency viii
probably fall to Gustav Borchert OF
Minneapolis who is now grand vice
president. This prediction, however, has
not progressed to a point where sue
cessor to Mr.. Borchert is talked of.
st. Cloud Wants Next Meet.
st. Cloud is making big effort tc
secure the convention in 1910. Odds
favor st. Paul and Minneapolis, accord
ing to the statement of one of the
prominent delegates. The conventions
have been held in the Tin Cities nearly
every year with the exception of last
year when saltwater entertained, anC
the present meeting in this city, ant
it is now the desire of the metropoli