The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-05-08


 Let us, as representatives of the Improved Order of Red Men show a more vigorous activity in keeping the fire of patriotism burning in the breast of every true American. Then ln- deed will we make ourselves worthy descendants of those who so willing ly sacrificed their lives that we might receive this priceless heritage or life, light and liberty.
 Brothers, I have done.
 EDWARD T. BUCKINGHAM, Great Sachem. Several hundred Red Men many Of whom were accompanied by their wives and families attended the con Vention Headquarters were eStab- lished at the Hotel Gerde, where were displayed the insignia of the order as we'll as the national colors. Old Glory is the emblem of the I. O. R. M., and the national colors in flag and bunting were conspicuously displayed, to- gether with Indian heads of all shades of copper hue, decorated in the green blue and red, the colors of the Red Men.
 Following the custom of former years, the hour of formally opening the convention was promptly at 10 this morning. In the absence of Cover nor Baldwin who was occupied in fulfilling previous engagements, Lieut.. Governor Bldk0SI0O VOlunIeeTeO lO formally institute the 26th annual con- vention.s His brief address of welcome was followed by a welcome to Hart ford by Mayor Louis R. Cheney. Great Sachem Edward T. Buckingham, head of the Great Council, and former May or of Bridgeport. responded fittingly.
 Great Sachem Buckingham and his chiefs then kindled the council fire. Past Sachems not members of the great council received the Great Council degree, making them eligible to sit with the council. The roll call was followed by the report of the last great council. in Waterbury, in 1911. Then came the long talk of Great Sachem Buckingham, with his recapitulation of the progress of the order for the year, telling of the in- stitution of new tribes, increase in the numerical strength of the order, re- port of his visitations to the various tribes and his recommendations
 Other reports were those of Will liam Saunders, of Naugatuck, great chief of records; O. s. Culver of New Haven, great keeper of Wampum; the report of the deputy sachems appoint ed to raise up elective and appointive chiefs of the various tribes; the state ments of the doings of the Great Coun- cil of the United States by the Repre- sentatives of the Great Council of Connecticut. Then in regular order were submitted the reports of the various committees including that Of the finance committee with its recom- medallion of the annual per capita tax.
 On the completion of this routine, general business was taken up, all leading up to the nomination of great chiefs for the following year. As a rule, in the great council of Connecti- cut advancement through the chairs has been the custom
 The 1911-1912 officers of the Great Council were B. T. Buckingham, Great Sachem; John Oetzel, Great Senior Sagamore; F. A. Wells, Great Junior Sagamore; HI. J. Hopkins, Great Prophet; William Saunders, Great Chief or Records; O. S. Culver, Great Keeper of Wampum.
 Great Sachem E. T. Buckingham was made Great Prophet, succeeding H. J. Hopkins, whose term expired. John Oetzel, Great Senior Sagamore, suc- ceeded Great Sachem Buckingham, and he in turn was supplanted by F. A. Wells, the present Great Junior Sagamore. No change was effect ed in the posts of Great Chief of Rec- ords and Great Keeper of Wampum.
 The election was followed by the raising up of the new chiefs by Judge Carl Foster. of Bridgeport, Great Sem for Sagamore of the United States.
 The delegates from Bridgeport and vicinity follow: