A. O. U. W. Convention

A.O.U.W. Convention

Over Three Hundred Delegates Are Present.

Prosperous Outlook

For the Order During the Coming Year.

Addresses of the Grand Officers. - The Lodge Will Visit the University Buildings in a Body Tomorrow, Electing Officers Tonight.

The members of the Michigan Grand Lodge of the A.O.U.W. met in the A.O.U.W. hall Tuesday. The first order of business was the admission of the new members to the grand lodge, over 100 taking the dregree. The reports of the grand officers were read and referred to the appropriate committees. The hall has been nicely arranged for the meeting. In the front of the hall were beautifnl potted plants.

Over 300 members were present representing on Jan. 1, 20,491 members of which 16,801 hold $2,000 certificates and 3,690 $1,000 certificates. During the past year there were 226 deaths on which $441,000 were paid. During the year 1,752 beneficiary certificates were issued to new members and with those re-instated making an increase of 1,886. There was a loss of 1,930 members making a total decrease of 44. This loss occurred chiefly at the time of the introduction of the graded assessments. The new system has worked so satisfactorily that Grand Master Golling says that he has received hundreds of letters from members who dropped out asking to be reinstated. Those that were past the age of admission could not be helped. The order is in a very satisfactory condition in general and particularly in this state. The general summary for the order in the United States shows the total membership to be over 355,000 and over $90,000,000 has been paid to widows and orphans. During the month of January, over 7,000 new members have been admitted, which shows how well it is thought of throughout the country.

Charles Golling, the Grand Master Workman, in his annual report said: "When we met in annual convention at Grand Rapids one year ago, we had before us the record of the most disastrous year in the history of the grand lodge. The admissions were less than those of any previous year and the suspensions were greatly in excess of any prior record. A net loss of nearly 2,300 members was one thing that could not be ignored. It was the element of danger that demanded attention. It was the barometer by which future success or failure was to be measured, had no change been made in our assessment plan one year ago. It is now certain that the 25 level assessments required for 1898 would have resulted in a total loss ranch greater than for 1897. The wisdom of your action in adopting classified assessments is seen in the record of the year. The death rate for 1898 was greater than any previous year. The assessment rate was the highest in the history of this jurisdiction. Continued opposition to the new plan by those who opposed the change increased the suspensions. The uncertainty which accompanies any radical change checked all progress for a time, and yet, notwithstanding the fact that the classified plan was in operation only nine months of the year the results have been all that the most sanguine advocate of the change could have expected. The admissions have been sufficient to overcome the suspensions. We have held our own. The new plan bas continually grown in favor, the last month of the year being one of the most successful in the history of the jurisdiction. The outlook for the future is bright. The clouds of doubt and uncertainty have passed away. All that is now necessary is: United effort, an abiding faith in the equity and fraternity in the new plan, a willingness to stand shoulder to shoulder from the causes of fraternity, and success is ours.

George Latcham, the Grand Recorder said: "Taking into consideration the short time the classified assessment plan has been in opperation in this jurisdiction, the opposition of the old members and the unsettled conditions that existed in the early part of the year by reason of the Cuban war, the record is a good one, and the results have been even greater than we had a reasonable right to expect."

Three members of this jurisdiction who answered their country's call to arms have died from diseases contracted during the recent war with Spain. They are as follows:

Cloyd Dalzell, a member of Grand Traverse Lodge, No. 169, Traverse City, who died at Traverse City on the 18th day of September, 1898, of meningitis, contracted at the front in Cuba.

Frank J. Muck, a member of Chassell Lodge, No. 163, Chassell who died at Santiago, Cuba, on the 7th day of July, 1898, of pernicious malaria, after an illness of 18 days.

Joseph Greiner, of Red Jacket Lodge, No. 129, Red Jacket, who died in camp near Santiago, Cuba on the 3d day of August, 1898, of malignant malarial fever after an illness of three weeks.

These three members held certificates for $1,000 and the amount due their beneficiaries was paid by the Supreme Lodge out of the War Relief Fund.

The delegates to the convention make a fine appearance. They are good representatives of the stalwart men of Michigan. They are all naturally elated at the success of the classified assessment system, which is working so well that this month there will be no assessment in the Michigan jurisdiction, and the prospect is now that the total number will not exceed 10.

Grand Master Charles Golling, of Alpena, is a man of state reputation. He has been mayor of his city and is now president of his council. He is a prominent Shriner, and served for two terms as president of the Arbeiter Bund of the state of Michigan. He is a man of fine education, very thorough and forceful in what he undertakes. He is one of those men who is a power for good in the community in which he resides.

Midnight of Tuesday saw the close of the Grand Lodge of the A.O.U.W. of Michigan. Never before in the history of the order has the work of the annual meeting been transacted so quickly and more satisfactorily. There was no friction but real enthusiasm for the order which is now growing, having withstood the shock of age which each fraternal assessment society must pass through at one time or another. Only two material changes in the laws of the order were made. After July 1 no further notices of assessments will be sent out, it being understood that there will be one assessment payable every month, excepting that when none is made notice is to be sent out. There was no assessment this month and it is hoped there will be one more month this year when this will occur again. The other change in the laws was to make the Grand Lodge the place of last resort, so that all questions settled by proper officers for the purpose designated will be final. This will obviate all opportunities for litigation. At the evening session the following officers were elected: Grand master workman, Fred C. Wetmore, of Cadillac; grand foreman, William Cochrane, of St. Johns; grand recorder, George Latcham, of Detroit; grand receiver, John C. Ellsworth, of Fowlerville ; grand overseer, Frank Herrington, of Detroit; grand guide, Byton W. Hewett, of Maple Rapids; Grand Watchman, Theodore N. Iler, Saginaw ; Grand Master elect Wetmore yesterday announced his appointment of John F. Hollings, of Detroit as Deputy Grand Master and Dr. Finch, of Detroit, as Grand Medical Examiner. The standing committees appointed were; Finance, Edward D. Foster, Detroit, August Quandt, Detroit, Frank H. Shuttleworth, Detroit; Jurisrprudence, William H. Baxter, Detroit, Benjamin F. Geiger, Detroit, Herbert E. Winsor, Marshall; Advisory, Robert Barrie, Detroit, Henry Kohlhepp, Grand Rapids, J. Lumm, Batttle Creek.

The election of Fred C. Wetmore, of Cadillac, as Grand Master, can be considered an honor to Ann Arbor; as he was formerly an Ann Arbor boy, being the son of W. W. Wetmore, of W. Huron st. His election was an unusual occurrence, in that Mr. Wetmore has never before held an office, in the grand lodge and with one jump landed in the highest office in the gift of the grand lodge. It was entirely contrary to precedent, all previous grand masters having held a subordinate office before being elected to the high office. The remarks made by Grand Master Wetmore when he was installed, showed that he is a fluent, graceful speaker, who will do houor to the order.

Deputy Grand Master John F. Hollings, of Detroit, receive a deserved compliment in again being placed in the field as grand lecturer during the coming year. He has done as much if not more than any one man in the state to stem the prejudice and ignorance in reference to the graded assessment plan. Mr. Hollings is an untiring worker. Wherever he visits, that lodge is stronger for his visit.

Yesterday the board of trustees and the various committees finished up their business. The delegates remaining in the city devoted the morning to visiting the University. They took in the various buildings, general library and museum. In the afternoon many enjoyed Hon. Charles A. Towne's lecture in University hall. Through the considerate thoughtfulness of S. Sanger, the chairman of the committee of the law students, seats were reserved for the delegates in the hall, where they were treated to an exhibition of wind power before the lectures such as they will never forget.

The local committee of which Gottlob Luick was chairman, was indefatigable in their endeavors to provide for delegates. A very handsome souvenir containing many views of Ann Arbor, had been provided and handed each delegate, and will be greatly prized by them. The excellent halftones were not marred by advertising matter. It is a book that would be of great value to the city if it were spread broadcast over the land. A meeting like the one just held cannot but help our fair city. Every citizen should work to get as many conventions here as possible.

A Narrow Escape

Thankful words written by Mrs. Ada E. Hart, of Gorton, S.D., "Was taken with a bad cold which settled my lungs, cough set in and finally terminated in Consumption. Four Doctors gave me up, saying I could live but a short time. I gave myself up to my Savior, determined if I could not stay with my friends on earth, I would meet my absent ones above. My husband was advised to get Dr. King's New Discover for Consumption Coughs and Colds. I gave it a trial, took in all eight bottles. It has cured me, and thank God, I am saved and now a well and healthy woman." Trial bottles free at Eberbach & Son's, Ann Arbor, and Geo. J. Haeussler, drug stores. Regular size 50 cents and $1.00. Guaranteed or price refunded.

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