Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1912-10-22
GRAND ENCAMPMfNT
 OFFICERS ELECTED
Continued from page. one.)

the City of Pine Bluff, and on behalf of her generous citizens, it becomes my duty and pleasure to welcome you 10 our live, progressive c'ty. We welcome you as citizens of the great and glorious state of Arkansas, and as nlembefs and co-workers Tn the memorable and noble cause.
 While 1 have never had the honor of being duly initiated and passed through the ceremonies of your order nevertheless I feel somewhat akin by inheritance and by nature: my father be ng 3 lifelong member of youf order, and having married the daughter of prominent officer III your ranks, and having been all my life considered somewhat of an odd fellow myself, I am confident that these three links in the chain of evi- dence will give me kindly recognition at your hands.
 "It has been a decade since Pine Bluff was last honored by the pres ence of this grand lodge, and if there be any here tonight who participated in that meeting, I doubt if they are able to realize he wonderful growth and advancement this city has made n that tlme By the energy and en- terpiise of her chivalrous people, she has grown from small country town to the plendid city you now be- hold. Located as we are in the very heart of the great marvellous cot on belt of the world and in the garden spot of this great state, with happy, prosperous and contented people, she sits enthroned like crowned and sceptered queen, pointing to the won- derful lpssibilit es of the usuTe. Be- fore another decade shall have passed we nope to show you 2 metropolitan city, of largely increased wealth and population. Connected, as we soon shall be, with our neighbors of tae north by free bridge across the Arkansas river, giving access to con- peting lines of ra lroad now con en- plated. a quickened commerce and a location of large and successful fac tories, bringing in their wake untold treasures of wealth; dare I predict that in the very near future Pine Bluff will be on the direcl line of a great transcont mental railroad, con- meeting he great northwest with our beau iful land Furthermore, the day is not far distanct when the gteat Mississippi and Arkansas valleys will be the scene of the deep waterways extending from the great lakes on the north to the gulf on the south, thus giving direct transportation Ia- c'lities to- the outside world through the great Panama canal, which IS nearing completion. <This fact, dem- onstrated as it must and VIII be" pea the satisfaction of the commefelal world who can foreteli this measure e. less influence and development and enriching of this great and fert le valley.
 "In conclusion I congratulate you upon this large gathering of repre- sentative citizens and it is ouw ear ness desire thal your stay within our gates may be as pleasant and your meeting as profit able as our welcome is cordial. We trust that all your de- Alterations may be signalized by love- truth and friendship that large and lasting good may result from your association here, and that, when you return to your homes, you will bear with you not only pleasant memories of your v,sit to our city, but the con sciousness of having contributed something to the great cause in which you are engaged.
 Again, I bid you welcome, thrice welcome, and extend to you the hos pitalijy of all our people,"
 Following other announcements by
 
 cere monies the ceremonies was brought to a close by the benedict on by Rev. Frank Thompson.
 Today's Program.
 The Sixty-thlrd annual session of the l. o. o. F. Grand Lodge will con- vene at the Eiks Theatre this morn ing at 9 o'clock with George w. Par dee, grand master, presiding.
 The first hour of the meeting will be given over to the conferring of the grand lodge degree upon.346 can- d da es by the grand officers of the lodge.
 At 10 o'clock regular business will be taken up. The first will be the re- ports of he grand officers which will continue to the noon hour
 After dinner the election of officers and the selection of the convention city in 1913 W Il be the principal busi- ness. No contests are anticipated for any of the grand officers except the cffice of grand warden and wben nomina ions for this office are in tr- der it is understood that several name; will be placed before the ledge and the ballotpng W Il be spirited.
 The office of grand warden is a coveted position for the reason that it is a. stepping stone 10 the highest office ilh.n the gift of the state lodge and from there to the office of grand representative to the sover- e gn assembly.
 Already invitations are in hands of rEe committee for next years gathering from Hot Springs and Mammoth Springs. Large delegations have come, armed with cordially worded invita- ions and endorsements prom business assoc ations and that order of business is expected to pre-. clpitate a warm contest wish Hot Ct, ,,1; fa