The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1914-08-07
A FRATERNAL TRAVESTY.
G. u. o. of o. F. Treasury Depleted

We are appalled, at the statement
of facts covering the present condi-
ton of the Grand United Order OF
Odd Fellows contained in the editor
ial in last weeks Atlanta Independent
under the caption THE TRUTH IS
THE LIGHT" Can it be possible
that the greatest fraternal organiza-
ton among our people in the world
must be sacrificed to satisfy the lust
for power and office by one individ-
ual, Edward H. Morris, of Chicago,
the present Grand Master; a man
who has had his nose in the trough
of the organization for more than a
quarter of century; who has had all
the honors and their accompanying
emolutions that it was possible to get
by means that were fair and some
that were foul, and who now appears
to be determined to hold his present
office for life, or ruin the greatest
opportunity that the Negro has for
good in organized effort.
We are surprised to learn the condi-
ton to which Morris has reduced the
Odd Fellows during his past four
years administration as shown by the
following paragraph from the Atlanta
Independents editorials:
"Our information is that the Treas
ury of the Subcommittee is prac-
tically depleted. The administration
is not able to meet the legitimate ex-
penses of the order. 1t has not only
wiped out the 100000 surplus re-
ceived from the Houston administra-
ton, but it has spent the entire re.
ceipts for the four years, and is MOI
able now to meet its obligations. Now
this is the truth We know about the
annual receipts of the order, anc
either Morris people have collected
this money and spent it, or it is oweo
by the subordinate branches. 1t i.
up to the administration to show who
is indebted by itemized statement tc
the order for legal obligations. Blu
the public cannot expect an admins
tration that holds its life by force to
economically or wisely spend Their
money so it is evident, and obviously
So that it is not the cost of the Su
preme Court that wiped out the Hous
ton surplus and depleted the treas
ury"
We read from subsequent paragraph
in the Independent that the Supreme
Court has been a rather small item
considering it's worth, as compared
with the expenditure of over $15o,o
to run the Odd Fellows Journal tc
secure delegates to the B. M. c., a
Boston. We met the Supreme Cour
when in ST. Paul to codify it's laws
The principle of government of the
Odd Fellows is the same as that o.
our National Government. Those who
are affected by decisions from all SUI
preme bodies are always for Their
overthrowal. Hence the Court shoulc
have many enemies. We have hearc
Hon. w. R. Morris, and Hon. w. T
Francis of our city praise the SUI
preme Court, and tell Of it's accomp
lishments, and to our recollection the
Court was instituted by Grand Mas
ter Morris, with Ben. J. Davis of At
lanta as Chief Justice, it was believed
that Davis and Morris would ex
change positions at the last B. M. c.
at Georgia, but the slate was broken
Morris refused to step out and he adj
journed the convention without ar
election, holding his position by pow
ers invested. His brotrer did not ap
prove his action. The affair was {
disgrace to the order and the white
newspapers gave it wide publicity
But whether the Court is necessary O,
not, where is that money!. If Bos.
Ed. could go to Georgia and hold hi.
own, we fear he can go to Boston
and re-elect himself even if by con
fusion, and abolish the Supreme
Court. Edward Morris is King of the
G.. u. O. of O. F." and the King car
do no wrong; but the divine right Of
kings has caused some trouble ir
Europe recently as we'll as in older
days. We hope not to have razors
drawn at this B. M. c. If so in.
terest of G.. Y. O. for Grand United
Order, we suggest d. d. D. for Damn
Divided Disturbance, if these tactics
prevail in the future Let the prin.
ciples remain Grand; it's member:
United, and the Order of Odd Eel
lows the most constructive organiza,
ton of Negroes in the world. Editors
Ben Davis can do effective work with