Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1923-06-23
HOT TIMES At PYTH|AN SESSIONS.
ORDER IS NOT RETURNED TO THE LEGALLY
ELECTED OFFICERS AND DELEGATES ARE IN
TURMOIL ASPROTEsT IS MADE ORR|CHTS

Petersburg, Va, June 20.-A
peculiar state of affairs took place
here this week. For the first time III
frs existence. the meeting of the Grand
Lodge, knights of Pythias and the
Grand Court, Order of Calanthe con
yened under the control of the Com
missioner of Insurance, a receiver ap-
pointed by the Circuit Court of Rich
mond His unfamiliar!ty with Pyth
ian Law made many embarrassing
complications, which finally resulted
IN his naming the officers of the Grand
Lodge and a demand from him that
they be elected by the Grand Lodge
as he would reconize no others.
This created a peculiar situation
and when Sir S. w. Green, Supreme
Chancellor injected himself into the
pa oceedings, bedlam reigned. For ap-
proximately two hours. Chairman J..
Thomas Hewin endeavored to secure
order. Col. Giles B. Jackson, who
maneuvered the program sat as help
less as babe on the rostrum while the
delegates expressed themselves in no
uncertain tone. Many got up and walk
ed out and with their retirement, he
addressed the body being followed by
Sir r. G. Harrington of Evansville
Indiana, Supreme Vice Chancellor
and the head of the Courts of Ca
lanthe.
Col. Button had stated that the Su-
preme Chancellor. S. W. Green had
agreed to pay over s21.000.00 TO the
Grand Lodge Of Virginia on fits death
claims with the understanding tha.
the Grand Lodge Of Virginia would
paw 100000 for the expense OF the
litigation. This sounded mighty
good" but It was later admitted that
Supreme Chancellor Green had no au-
thority to make any such promise
The slate finally offered by Col. But
ton, Commissioner OF Insurance and
which was forced upon the Grand
Lodge Of Virginia was Grand Chancel-
Tor William M Reid OF Portsmouth.
Va; Grand Vice Chancellor W. B. F.
Crowell of Roanoke Sir Crowell was
en- the slate For Grand Chancellor.
Sir Clifton &. Cabeli of Lynchburg;
Grand PreIate: Sir A. v. Norrell, Sr,
Grand Keeper Of Records and Seal;
Sir E. r. Jefferson, Grand Master OF
EAchequer. Sir A. A. Tenant, Grand
Medical Register; Sir 7. E. Byrd.
G: and Inner Guard; Sir w. T. Stokes
Grand Outer Guard; Sir Joshua Will
liams, Grand Master at Arms
Some Of these were on the Mitchell
Slate. Sir w. III. Reid was named 90
preside over the Grand Lodge This
was protected inasmuch as the form.
er Grand Officers should preside.
Counsel for the old officers was pres.
ent and advised in the premises.
Notice was served that inasmuch as
tie officers were elected in a way con
trary to the constitution OF the Grand
L,dge of Virginia. they would not be
recognized as the legal officers Of the
Grand Lodge. The Supreme Lodge Off
cisls made addresses, but they did not
confirm the report of Col Joseph But
ton.
The Commissioner Of Insurance an
ncunced that he would not turn over
the order to it's officers at this session
and announced that It would be six or
seven months before he would do so.
although it might he sooner. The
Grand Representatives in both bodies
were grievously disappointed and IL
se:ms to be that trouble will be the
result Of this action.