The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1916-05-27

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allied position, brothers NJ. o. Ricketts,
and R. T. Coles, quite different from
each other in disposition, temperament
and masonic labors, yet strongly alike
in zeal for the interests of the craft.
So the brethren found it very diff
cult to decide between the two and
the contest was the prime interest of
the whole session.
At the opening of the session adj
dresses of welcome were delivered by
the mayor of the city and by certain
state officials and local citizens and
members of the Grand Lodge were
eloquent in their responses. Among
the latter was the brilliant Nelson C.
Crews, well known as an orator and
afterwards to he signally honored by
the members of the Grand Lodoge.
In his annual address Grand Master
Williams kept ur the high standard
of former years and modestly referred
to the things he had accomplished dur
ing the three years. Chief among
these was the purchase and opening of
the Masonic Home at Hannibal. He
reported the institution properly fur
nished and caring for several inmates
who had early sought its shelter. The
Heroines of Jericho and the Eastern
Star sisters had heartily Joined in the
support of the Home and had made
substantial contributions to it's begin
ming, all of which was most crafty
ing to the brethren.
The dues in the relief department
having been increased the year previ-
ou sthe Grand Master reported that
the members of the craft had met
the change with fine spirit and that
the financial showing was the best in
the history of the Grand Lodge.
Under neurology was mentioned the
death of Brother ]. w. Baldwin OF
Kansas City, Mo He had for many
years been one of the most active
members of the Grand Lodge and was
at n time prominent among the
Royal Arch Masons. Being of strongly
energetic temperament and of highly
emotional spirit he strongly impressed
himself upon the work of the Grand
Lodge and mis- death was thoroughly
lamented by all.
Judge w. H. Upton, Past Grand
Master of the Grand Lodge of the
State of Washington (white) had also
passed from earth during the year.
He had endeared himself to colored
Masons all W. the world by his fear
less advocacy Of the legitimacy of
our work and his tireless efforts to-
ward securing such approval from
other swhite grand lodges of the coun-
try. This Masonic John Brown" or
John the Baptist" whichever may ap-
pear best suited, really became a fra
ternal martyr to the cause of Negro
Masonry, and when dying requested
that no monument be erected over his
grave until some white grand lodge
should join with colored brethren in
paying to his memory that tribute OF
respect.
AT this meeting of the Grand Lodge
the Grand Court, Heroine sof Jericho
sent up a formal communication ask
Ho II . tdlA iCod ACllOuS DSdIlllS
upon the eligibility of candidates for
the female degrees be removed. The
matter was referred to the jurispru.
dence committee which most wisely
decided that the Grand Lodge haC
nothing whatever to do with the mat
ter and that it was one that came
wholly within the province of tn,
Heroines themselves. 1t is apparen
that what the Grand Lodge really de
sired was the advance approval of
measure that the ladies' feared nigh
meet with the disapproval of tn,
brethren were such measure put int,
effect.
The election of grand officers cam
with a high tension of interest an,
suspense. When the ballots were car
vassed it was found that Brothe
Ricketts, had won the honor of Gran,
Master by a very slight margin an,
Brother Coles was returned to tn
office of Grand Treasurer by unan.
nous vote, thus showing the high es
TEEN in which both were held by tn
members of the Grand Lodge.
Uncle Sonny" Vaughn was mad
Grand Tyler and Hannibal was chose.
as the next place of meeting.