The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1912-09-19
KNIVES AND CANES ARE BR.AND-
ISHED AND BLOODSHEDi ia, ),
.. NARROWLY AVERTEsD. 50 :
Morris Victorious
over the Davis-Johnson Combination
Which Attempts to Vote Absent
delegates, Precipitating Turmoil
Which Threatened Orders Disrup-
tiOn.
Especial to The AdUOcdte.)

~-.s Atlanta, Ca, Sept. 1.-THE 18th
Biennial Session of the G. u. o. o. o.
f. America came to a close Saturday
1:olLing at 4:30 a. m. amid confusion
ANA contention for the supremacy Of
the order. Never before in the his
tory OF the order was there so mucn
pickering, dissatisfaction and lack Of
harmony during an election. When
me name Of Grand Master E. H. Nor
IS was presented, the delegates from
Vll:ous states marched up and down
The hall frantically yelling and carry
mG banners. 1t was thought by the
1rAErity Of delegates that Morris
would not run, and that the name of
y. J. Davis would be the only one
presented for Grand Master of the
Order
Not withstanding the fact that
Grand Master Morris stated in his
biennial address There would never
be time when disunion would come
TO the lodges and that the letters of
hre are blazing over the gates leading
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
allow Georgia to vote the 987 delegates
certified to the credentials committee
when only sos were present, disunion,
turmoil and pandemonium reigned SUI
preme.
After the session had gone on
smoothly for five days, the election Of
the officers was the cause of the con-
vention adjourning "sine die" 1t
came about this way, Morris was nom
mated and so was Davis Deputy
Grand Master Henry Lincoln johnson
took theI gavel. States were called.
And when it came to Georgia, Morris
seeing that Johnson was determined to
vote Georgia's absent delegates, took
the gavel and refused to let this be
done. Ia the turmoil, the police were
called and while they were restrain
Ing Johnson, the roll call proceeded
without Georgia voting. From every
observation it was seen that Morris
had the vast majority of votes, for
even Davis own state and several 9th
er southern states refused him a unan-
imous vote. 1t was likewise apparent
that If the session was prolonged
greater disorder might be expected,
since several hotheads were brandish-
ing knives and canes. Grand Master
Morris to prevent possible bloodshed
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 themselves by
singing, marching and reciting. Some
went out for lunch, and others had
lunch sent them. Every now and
then some delegate would yell vocifer-
ously "roll call" Again and again
conferences were held to harmonize
things, but the "old warrior stood
pat" With the adjournment, the same
men will hold office until the meeting
the next two years, the place having
not been selected.
The most important matter tran
sacted was the retention Of the ST.
preme Court, headquarters to- remain
at Philadelphia, and a Bureau of En-
dowment for the states in which there
are none.
Grand Secretary reported 10,750 fl =
nancial branches, 1887 dispensations
granted by the s. G. M. during the last
two years, numerical strength 492 9O5,
total assets $194,008.15. J. C. Johnson,
Grand Treasurer Of the Order, read
his report which contained an item
lied account Of all receipts during the
years 1911 and 1912, July IS. L. N.
Porter, chairman Grand Auditing Com
mittee, read his report. Grand Mas
ter E. II. Morris delivered biennial
address, as we'll as Hon. Harry s.
Cummings, Attorney General for tn ,
Order.
There was the Grand Parade vita
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 a grand ball was given at the
Auditorium, which was attended by
5000 people. The local committee