Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-02-17
PYTH|ANS SCORE
LUNAGY STATUTES
AND URGE REFORM
Grand Lodge Demands Laws to
Prevent incarceration of
Sane Persons.
Especial to the Newark star.l

lSPtNiot ~ 'ht NhNhN RNI
TRENTON, Feb. 17.-One Of the most
important questions before the Grand
Lodge, knights of Pythias, at its an
nual session today was brought up by
John Ulrich, of Plainfield, a past grand
chancellor of the organization. Mr.
Ulrich introduced a resolution calling
the attention of the Legislature to the
luuacy laws Of New Jersey under
which he claims persons are committed
to asylums without being protected IN
their constitutional rights.
officers were installed today by Frank
Stanley, acting supreme chancellor
He was assisted by a number OF grand
officers. Major-General S~tobbard, oil
Minnesota, spoke on the uniformed
branch of the Pythian order.
Mr.. Ulrich's resolution, which was
adopted. was as follows:
'Wl1ereas, it is a fundamental doc
trine of this government as laid down
In the supreme law of the land that
no person shall be deprived of his lib
erty of property without due process
of law or an equal protection of laws,
and
"Whereas, 1t would appear that under
existing conditions in this State per-
sons can be deprived of their liberty
and inestimable rights through COM
mitment, confinement and detention
within asylums for the insane upon
mere ex-parte opinions or statements
without due process of law or equal
protection of laws, and in consequence
of which their liberty may become en-
dangered and they be deprived of the
same indefinitely, if not for life, and,
"Whereas, under such a system the
right, privileges and interests of our
members, or the membership of our
order may become jeopardized and suf-
fer egregiously.
Wherefore this grand lodge, whose
teachings are based upon the cardinal
principles of defending the rights; of
justice in preventing injuries against
the worthy; of loyalty to the consti-
tuted authority, under which it's men,
bership enjoys citizenship, looks with
alarm at the tendencies of such an evil
system, denying an equality of rights
before the laws or courts, and
''Resolves hat it deems 1t wise, ex-
pedient and timely. TO invoke the at
tention of the law-making body of the
State to the wrongs and evils OF such
duiibtiOuo laW ~ a y Ira hhS
Legislature correct such evils and pro-
vide for better safeguards in the in
terest of individual liberty and the
rights of defense before the court, and
further
Resolves hat a committee of three
members of this grand lodge be APP
pointed at this session with instruc-
lions and power to take such steps as
ii may deem wise and proper towards
manifesting the will of this grand lodge
towards securing more adequate legis-
lation to the better protection of the
citizen and the membership of this
order and towards u better establish
ment of justice"
The Grand Lodge has determined to
war upon the negro Knights of Pythias,
who are not recognized as a branch.
The use of the name is regarded as an
infringement Of the title of the origi-
nal order. After a discussion the mat
ter was left with the Grand Tribunal,
which will prepare a bill to be intro
duced in the Legislature making 1t un-
lawful for any unauthorized organiza-
ton to use the name of the order.