Page 309 - Cornelius Hedges Story

For This And Succeeding Generations Gardiner 296

very public spirited, once Mayor of Helena, always in attendance at
his Lodge and very influential in its affairs. He died March 30, 1897,
while at an outing with his wife, and so suddenly that he did not utter
a parting word to her. The universal respect in which he was held
was evidenced at his funeral. His address bristled with individuality.
Some of his views being at variance with the prevailing sentiment
of Grand Lodge at the time were subsequently adopted. His official
acts were few and no noteworthy incidents marked the course of the
year. Nor was the business of the session of a very important char-
acter or marked by any unusual incident.
There was a special report from the correspondence committee,
outlining our relations with foreign jurisdictions. We had the year
before dissolved relations with France and there were no countries
in Europe with which we could heartily fraternize. Even with
the British Grand Bodies we were at variance on the subject of
exclusive territorial jurisdiction. These resolutions were discussed
at length but were adopted without opposition and have continued
to be the basis of our policy ever since. It was the custom in early
years, when no other business was ready for action, for me to read
from my correspondence report such portions as were called for and
the whole when completed was ordered printed. Now we do better
by having it printed in advance and copies put in the hands of all
members. In spite of resolutions deprecating the custom of the local
craft giving banquets etc., to members of Grand Lodge, there have
been found ways of evading it and Grand Lodge has never been
known to decline a ball, banquet or other entertainment. At one time
it had grown to be a custom to expect a banquet at every raising at
the expense of the candidate and this expense sometimes exceeded
the cost of the degrees. The better opinion of the older members
seeing the hardship in many cases prevailed to stamp this out and
whenever the lodge wanted a banquet it had to assume the expense.
Without controversy Bozeman was selected as the next place of
meeting, and the date was fixed for the third Thursday in September.
Judge Knowles was elected Grand Master. The attendance had been
somewhat greater but the greater distance traveled increased the bill
for mileageand threedaysattendancenear$500 morethaneverbefore.
The Sixteenth Annual Communication was held at Bozeman,
commencing September 16, 1880. Grand Master Hiram Knowles
was not present, being detained by his judicial duties. Bro.George
W. Monroe as Deputy Grand Master presided in his absence and
the Grand Master’s address was read by the Grand Secretary.