The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1911-08-10
Especial to The Advocate

indianapolis, Ind, August S-But
q few days remain now before the
meeting Of the Supreme Lodge
Knights Of Pythias and Encampment
OF the Uniform Rank, which to-
gether form the largest gathering of
Negroes in America with the possi-
bic exception of one other organiza-
.tion.
With the near approach of the
supreme session in fomer years
there has been much jockeylng for
position in the great race for office.
This was particularly true Of the
meeting two years ago at Kansas
City. Mo-, where the methods pur-
sued by some of the candidates
1macked so much Of a political cam
paign that it became absolutely ne
cessary for the good of the Order to
call halt. This was done by the
passage Of a resolution disqualifying
Tor office candidates who distribute
literature or photographs, or dis
play flags in furthering their candi-
dacy.
Because Of this bar, there are but
lew candidates announced for the
session to be held here beginning
the 2lst inst. John Mitchell, Jr, or
Virginia, who was SO signally de-
feated for the Supreme Chancellor
ship at Kansas City by the present
incumbent, IS. w. Green, will, it Is
generally understood, put on his
coat Of mail and shy his castor in
the ring again. If Mitchell is really
candidate 1t must be because ne
takes a peculiar pleasure in leading
forlorn hope, for his chances Of
winning over Green are not discrein-
bic to the naked eye. .----. -------------
AS in the candidacy of Mitchell so
in that Of J. Rupert Jefferson, of
West Virginia, who has sharpened
his little hachet with the avowed
purpose Of cutting down JOS. L.
Jones, of Ohio, who sits in the seat
Of the Supreme Vice Chancellor
Jefferson has been at the head of the
Grand Court, the women's auxiliary
Of the Pythians, OF his State for
number Of years and has been a del
egate to the Supreme Lodge, but he
is not of that prominence in the Su-
preme Jurisdiction to warrant the
belief that his candidacy will. be
successful, even though it is sup
ported unanimously by his State
and Pennsylvania, to which he is re-
Lorted to have made overtures looKZ
ing toward some sort Of combination.
1t is hundred to one shot that both
Mitchell and Jefferson can not win,
for the South, which ho;Gs the prep
onderance Of power, will certainly
not vote the highest two offices in
the Order to Virginia and West Vir-
gina. 1t is equally certain that Nit
chell, who is by far the stronger Of
the two, will not jeopardze his can
didacy by tieing up with Jefferson,
nor will he throw his strength
across the Allegheny, even If he
himself is thrown into the discard.
Mitchell is not built according to
such plans and specifications.
Kentucky, too, has a favorite son
in the person Of Jno. B. Snowden
who has deluded himself with the
thought that he can supplant G.. x.
Robinson, Of st. Louis, as Supreme
Keeper Of Records and Seal, place
he has held since little acorns grew
into giants Of the forest, or nearly
that long. Three others had the
same brain storm at Kansas City.
but they were brought to full real
ization Of Robinson's standing with
tho delegates when the roll call
showed the total vote Of the three
combined less than that Of G. K
1'nt it Snowden Is the only candidate
against Robinson, the latter has
nothing to fear, FOR Snowden has put
himself out Of the running by
"crcularizing" the delegates, which
dsqualifies him under the resolu-
ton referred to above.
There are sure TO be other candi
dates for these and the other Off
Ces in the order, but they are fight.
ing from cover now or sappng and
mining with the intention Of touch
ing the fuse at the psychological
moment, that will be when the del
egate3 have all assembled here ant
they can see them in person.
No wonder Andrew Carnegie Oh
iccts to the waste Of money at the