Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1913-07-29
NEGRO KNIGHTS
 IN SESSION HERE Mayor Bloom Welcomes the Colored Citizens Who Are Upbuilding Their Race. STIRRING ADDRESSES Four Hundred Delegates and Six Hun. drcd Visitors Are Attending
 Sessions.
STIRRING ADDRESSES

the grand lodge of colored Knights o1 Phythias, which opened yesterday morning ill the chapel of the Brancl Normal college, has brought to the city fully a thousand men and women from all parts of the state who arc working for the moral. intellectual and financial development of the Ar. kansas negroes. A number of visi. tors from other states are here.
 The negro Knights of Phythias is one of the strongest benevolent or. gaaizations in the state, and the grand lodge is composed of doctors lawyers, ministers, professors, teach CTS, editors, bankers, merchants farmers, porters, laboring men-in fact every line of business, trade or profession followed by negroes is represented. The grand lodge will be in session until Friday when the newly elected officers will be in- stalled.
 Prof. Henry ,Avant, of Helena. is grand chancellor, and in his opening remarks yesterday morning outlined the work for the week and appoint ed a committee on credentials; which reported a constitutional num mber present. The grand lodge ,wasno opened in keeping with the ritual of the order, and then followed the election of Frank Robinson to the position of assistant Grand Keeper of Records and Seal. S.; w. Green of New Orleans was introduced to the grand lodge, and made a short address. He will speak this morning at the open- ing. He said that he was pleased to be in Pine Bluff and to see the won- derful progress being made by the negro.
 A list of committees were appoint ed. and J. H. Rhone, was elected of- ficial reporter of the grand lodge. was then turned to busl- ness.
 The afternoon session was spent in the past chancellor's de- gree on 120 men from various parts of the state. The grand chancellor said that the grand lodge was in order for business and after the ad- dress from Supreme Chancellor Green this morning, he will deliver his an nual address, which will be followed by the report of the grand lodge of- .icers.
 It was impossible to get inside of he chapel of the Branch Normal last night. Long before the hour. he members of the grand lodge and grand court filled the building. It vas the reception to the delegates y the colored citizens of Pine Bluff, when addresses of welcome were de- ivered.
 When Mayor Simon Bloom, was in- reduced to extend welcome to the city. he was given an enthusiastic ovation by the Negro Knights. His welcome was on behalf of Pine Bluff. Other address of. welcome were de- |ivered by Dr. H. l.. Jordan, Rev, P. w. Delyles, of St. John A. M. E. Laura c. Burnett. The res- ponses were made by Dr. s. w. Har- rison, of Fort Smith; Prof. w. l.. Forest City; Prof. H. c. Yerger, Hope; and E. Pembroke Of Gaines Landing. Dr. D. w. Young and Katie Havis, rendered solos.
 There is lively contest for the office of Grand Chancellor Frank A. Young. representing the young men, is mentioned for the place to succeed Prof. AvaIt, it is thought by many that he will be elected.
 Grand Court Meets
 ''The negro must win his way to as other races have done. declared J. J. T. Warren, of Hot Springs. in calling to order the ele- venth annual session of the Court ot Clanathe which is the female branch of the negro Pythians, 'ana we believe that one of the great ciyili- gers in this country is the home Believing in this we have instituted this department for our wives sisters and daughters, who are the real makers of the home. ! am indeed glad to see so many ot you here today.
 Woman fills an important place in this world. There are two shrines at which enlightened men worship God. and woman. :Thegreatest minds the ypurest iheslts' ,,.have { sung the praises of woman. sFairf in her vir- tues, resistless in her power, polish ed in her manners, affectionate i'll her disposition, she at once entwines
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