Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-06-09
HEPTASOPHs DEBATE
ADMISSION OF WOMEN
Supreme Conclave OF Fraternal
Order Opens at John Mar
shall High School.
WELCOMED By MAYOR AINsL1E
Torchlight Parade Tonight Will BE
Spectacular Affair-Election of
Officers Takes Place To-Day-Dis-
cuss Amendments to Constitution.

Richmond is in tho hands Of the Hep
tasophs. The city's gates have been
opened wide to them, and official we'll
wishes extended them From this time
on. until they bring to n close the pres
ent session of the Supreme Conclavc.
the men who compose the mystic order
of the Seven Wise Men are assured of
Richmonds most cordial hospitalitv
and of Richmond's most sincere SYM
pathy with the ideals for which the
organization stands
with a full quota OF accredited dele
gates in attendance and fair sprink-
ling of their wives and daughters tho
opening session Of the fifteenth biennial
convention of the Supreme Conclayc
improved Order of Heptasophs was
called to order yesterday afternoon at
o'clock in the auditorium of the John
Marshall High School Supreme Archon
Morris G. Cohen. of Baltimore was in
the chair. Immediately after the gavei
Tell for order. n. L. VonderIchr of
Richmond, n district deputy supreme
archon, introduced Mayor George Aims
lie. who, in his characteristic graceful
manner extended the city's hearty well
come and its best wishes for tho most
successful convention in the history of
the order. Richmonds chief pleasure
he said, would lie in helping to achieve
that end.
SUPREME ARCHON SUGGESTS
ADMISSION OF WOMEN
MT. Cohen in response on behalf
of the Heptasophs, thanked the Mayor
most warmly for his cordial welcome
saying that the delegates came here
not as strangers, but as men i'm whose
memories still fingered the generous
hospitality of the city on two former
occasions, the Supreme Conclave having
met in Richmond in 1889 and again in
1913 Probably the most striking part
OF Mr.. Cohen's speech was a declaration
IN favor of admitting women TO mem
pershipin the order. "A constitutional
amendment TO this effect will he intro
duced at the business session either
this morning or tomorrow
Orlin Bryan. of Philadelphia. general
counsel of the order, followed Mr.
Cohen. and spoke, in part, as follows;
We come again to this Queen City of
the South. in the consciousness that the
Southland has not only been re-
enthroned, but that we are n nation
with one thought, one sentiment and
one common purpose.
We come, bringing with US no ha-
biliments OF war, no sounding of trum-
pets, no bugle calls but bearing the
sceptre of peace, standing for home. for
country, and for humanity.
TRIBUTE TO VIRGINIA,S
ROLL OF INIMORTALS
Mr.. Mayor may we have the honor
to so use your hospitality in the fur
therance of these principles TO which
we are sacredly dedicated, during our
stay in your historic city and immortal
state. the birthplace of jefferson and
Lee, Marshall and Henry, Washington
and Wilson, that, departing we may
leave behind us imperishable memories
In harmony with those illustrious lives
which have SO maSniicently helped
and are now helping to make our land
blossom with deeds of Kindness .nd
self-sacrifice. the fragrance OF which
will sweeten the sorrows of the nations
of the world and heal the wounds OF
war. placing man in his rightful place.
not only in the kingdom of the earth
but in the kingdom of God"
Immedia tely after the public session.
a business session of the Supreme Con-
clave was held and the matters of
changing insurance assessments and OF
amending the contitution so as to ADM,
women into the order were discussed.
The constitutional amendment question
was referred to the committee on spe-
cial legislation. which will report it's
recomm endation either to-day or to-
morrow, and 1t was decided that the
assessment matter should be discussed
Mt a night session of the committee
of the whole to be held at Muir
phys Hotel. This discussion was
led by Michael Angelo Elias, Of
New York: ex-Congressman William
F. Murray, Of Boston: Thomas II. Cox,
OF New Haven. Conn: and F. ii. Sher-
ert, of Shenandoah, Pa. Plans formu-
lated by this committee will be sub