The Twin City star., 1912-09-21
b. N. c. OF ODD FELLOWS
GRAND MASTER EDWARD II. NOR.
Ris ADJoURNs THE coNvEN-
TIoN "sINE DIE" AMID
-- CONFUSION. a.-..
Failed to Elect New Officers.
(By Cary B. Lewis.)

(By Cary B. Lewis.)
Atlanta, Ga, Sept. IA, 1912. Especially
The 10th Biennial Session Of the G.
u. o. o. F. America, came to close
Saturday morning at 1880 A. M. amid
confusion and contention for the su'
premacy for the Order. Never before
in the history Of the Order was there
so much pickering, dissatisfaction
and lack Of harmony during an cleo.
tion. When the name Of Grand Mas.
ter r. H. Morris was presented, the
delegates from various states march
ed up and down the hall frantically
yelling and carrying banners. 1t was
done to stampede the convention, but
this failed. It was thought by the
majority Of delegates that Col. Nor
ris would not run, and that the name
of Mr.. B. J. Davis would be the only
one presented for Grand Master of the
Order.
Notwithstanding the fact that Grand
Master e. H. Morris stated in his bi-
ennial address: There would never
be time when dissension would come
to the lodges and that the letters Of
fire are blazing over the gates lead
ing to the Temple of Friendship, Love
and Truth" yet the scenes on that
morning made his address seem just
the reverse, for when he refused to
have the roll of Georgia's delegates
called dissension, turmoil and pande-
monium reigned supreme.
Election Of Officers.
After the session had gone on
smoothly for five days, the election
of the officers was the cause Of the
convention adjoining "sine die" 1t
came about this way, Morris was nom-
mated and SO was Davis. Deputy
Master Hcsryr lincoln Johnson took
the gavel. States were called. And
when it came to Georgia, Morris took
the gavel and refused to let Georgia
cast her vote by the chairman Of the
Georgia Delegation, or even to hear
the name Of each delegate called from
the Georgia roll. From every obser-
vation it was seen that Mr.. Davis
had the vast majority of votes for his
own state and several southern
states were pledged to him and votes
scattered elsewhere but Grand Mas
ter Norris refused to hear the roll
called, and finally decided that the
honor was big enough for him for the
next two years and adjourned the
convention "sine die"
The delegates sat in the hall from
ten o'clock in the night until 4:30 the
next morning. They amused them
selves by singing, marching and re-
citing. Some went out to lunch, and
others had lunch sent to them. Every
now and then some delegates would
yell vociferously Roll Call" Again
and again conferences were held to
harmonic things, but the "old war
rior stood pat" With the adjourn
ment, the same man will hold office
until the meeting the next two years,
the place having not been selected.
The most important matter trans
acted was the retention of the Su-
preme Court, headquarters to remain
at Philadelphia and Bureau of En-
dowment for the states in which there
are none.
Reports Of Finance.
Grand Secretary reported 10,750 H.
nancial branches, 1887 dispensations
granted by the s. c. M. during the
last two years, numerical strength
492,905 total assets $194,00S.15. J. c.
Johnson, Grand Treasurer Of the Or
der read his report which contained
an itemized account for all receipts
during the years 1911 and 1912, July
Is. L. N. Porter, chairman Grand
Auditing Committee, read his report.
Grand master e. H. Morris delivered
a Biennial Address as well as Hon.
Harry 8. Cummings, Attorney General
for the Order.
There was the grand parade with
10000 people in line. This was fol-
lowed by drill at Ponce De Leon
Park, where the Patriarchie Of Pitts
burg won first prize, Indiana second
honors and Chicago third. The same
night grand ball was given at the
Auditorium, which was attended by
300 people. The local Committee
headed by Mr.. B. J. Davis. was re-
sponsible for the preparations made
to entertain the delegates and Wis
itors. All were greatly pleased with
the hospitality and courtesy extended
them. and claim that the Biennial ses-
sion here was the grandest and most
successful In the history Of the Order.