The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-07-15
Marshalltown, Clinton and the
Winner in Yesterdays Con-
test All Presented Invi-
tations.
BIG PICNIC Is ENJOYED
Rand Park Scene Of Great
Festivities Yesterday At
ternoon Power Plant
is Visited Today.

is Visited Today.
Selection of Sioux City as the con
yention city for next year, picnic yes
terday afternoon and lodge of sor
row last night, trip to the hydrs
electric plant this morning. thes'
were lust few of the hings that the
iowa grand lodge Of negro Mason:
did Yesterday and today. they start
Cd their final days business this
morning. and will complete their ses
sions in Keokuk this evening.
Fdward M. Pierce of Eft. Dodge
Iowa: Charles McGinnis OF Aledo, III.
and Arthur Moss of Ottumwa Iowa
A S. Jones of Quincy ILL.,; Robert
THOMAS of Eldon, Iowa. arrived 1ol
the afternoon session. The commit
tee on returns made its report II
which Grand Secretary Bailey was
highly commended for the eff1cien,
manner in which he has conducted
his Office.
The committee on credentials made
it's report, followed by that of the
committee on dispensations and char
tiers.
At3 o'clock the grand lodge took up
the question of holding the next grand
session and the names of the follow
ing cities had presented invitations:
Marshalltown, Sioux City and Clinton
Iowa, The Rev. j. w. Norris ABLY
presented the name of Sioux City;
c. C. johnson presented Marshall
town, and NJ o. Culberson presented
Clinton, Iowa At the conclusion OF
the ballot the count stood, Sioux City
AZ; Marshalltown, %, and Clinton, 70.
Sioux CITY was declared the conven-
ton city in 1921.
Past Grand Master John l.. Thomp'
son of Des Moines extended an invl-
tation to the grand lodge to- attend
the grand conclave of iMasons in Gin
cinnati, Ohio, August % to ~ Inc
Rev. j. III. Garrison of Ae limos
jurisdiction, on behalf of the ladies' OIL
the O. E. S. extended an invitation to
the grand lodge to attend the grand
session in Cincinnati. The committee
on Jurisprudence made partial report.
At this time, the hour having arrived
for the grand lodge to- indulge IN
picnic the grand body took a recess
and formed III parade line. Head
ed by the Peoples Institute band the
line moved down Twelfth street to
Main, west on Main to- Fourteenth,
north on Fourteenth to Orleans ave-
nue., west on Orleans avenue to FIT
teenth street, then to Rand park. roll
lowing the band came the focdmen
and then came autos containing the
grand officers and visitors. At the
park genuine good old fashioned
picnic was enjoyed by the visitors.
Ole friends and acquaintance met
and recalled the picnic days of their
childhood. Everybody was in happy
mood and as the sun broke through
the western clouds feeling of relief
ran through the large crowd for that
was an omen that the remaining part
of the day would be dry.
At five o'clock the Rev. ]. Sterling
Moore, master of ceremonies, called
the assembly to order and announced
the first number on the program by
the Peoples Institute band.
By way Of Introducing Mayor Theo-
dore A. Craig, Rev. Moore said that If
all men were like Mayor Craig there
would be no negro problem, every
man would have an equal opportunity
under the law. He said Masonry
owes as much to the Ethiopian as
the christian religion owes to the
Jew" He spoke of the part the BLACK
man had in the earliest days of Mas
onry and traced the negro in Mason
~ from Jethro to- Soloman.
Square Deal for All.
In expression of his appreciation of
being present on this occasion, Mayor
Craig said The presence CT this great
body of Masons is a benent to Keo-
kuk want you to feel that the city
is yours. l want you to feel welcome.
i believe in the square deal to- every
man. be he black or white This or
der represents the highest of citizen.
snip. DR.. Elliot sums up what the col
ored race did for this country in these
lines: Volunteered when disaster
ciouded the union cause, served with
out pay for eighteen months till given
onat OF the white troops, faced threat
ened enslavement if captured, were
brave in action, patient under dan
serous and heavy labors and cheerful
AMID all hardships and privations. !
lhey gave to the nation undying proof
mat Americans of African descent
possess the pride, courage and devo- /
non of the patriot soldier. One hun ,
1red and eighty thousand such Ameri- i
Ems enlisted under the union flag in ;
1885, -
4
is to the undying fame of the ,
sNored people that you have given !
'uch devotion to your country. Every
nan II snail stand on his own merit and
'hali nave square deal.
The next number was a selection
" the band
Mr.. Johnson's Welcome.
IN introducing F. s. Johnson to well
ONE the grand lodge on behalf of
mon lodge, Rev. Moore paid a glow
ng tribute to his splendid record 6