Page 327 - Cornelius Hedges Story

For This And Succeeding Generations Gardiner 314

financial depression. As Grand Master Morris said in opening his
address “For the first time in our history as a Grand Lodge there
are seats vacant and Lodges unrepresented because dues are
not paid.” In spite of general depression, three new Lodges were
organized U. D. during the year, one at Victor in the Bitter Root
Valley; another at Choteau in Teton County, the third at Lima
in Beaverhead County, the extreme southern part of the State.
When charters were granted the name of Choteau was substituted
for Berkley, and the name of Evergreen for Lima. The decisions
received the approval they well deserved. The legislation effected
was not important. The Grand Lecturer, owing to severe and
protracted sickness, had been unable to discharge the duties of that
office. The dry bones of those old issues, “the single ballot,” “the
single paid representatives,” the prerogative powers of the Grand
Master,’’ etc., were brought out and rattled some, but went back
into the closet as they emerged. The percentage of revenue set aside
for the Grand Charity Fund was doubled and some use made of it.
The time of holding Grand Lodge was changed from the first
Wednesday in October to the third Wednesday in September. So long
as Montana was a Territory our general elections were held in August.
Then October was the better time for meeting. When we became a
State, general elections were held in November, and then September
was the better time for meeting. In order to hold the membership
in attendance, the election of Grand Officers and choosing the
next place of meeting were put off till the afternoon of the last
day. Brother F. C. Webster of Missoula was elected Grand Master,
and Billings fixed upon as the next place of meeting. The Grand
Secretary was instructed to codify and publishes the Constitution,
By-Laws, Regulations, etc., with corrections to date. There was a
sumptuous banquet at Electric Hall, prepared by the ladies of the
Eastern Star, followed by toasts, and then came dancing for those
who liked it.
The Thirtieth Annual Communication was held at Billings, pursuant
to vote of Grand Lodge, September 19-20, 1894, with Brother F. C.
Webster presiding as Grand Master. Business depressions continued
and seriously retarded the growth of the craft. No new Lodges were
organized; no special Communications held, and the increase of
membership was only eighty. But of the thirty-seven Lodges all but
two had paid dues and all but four were represented. The duties
of Grand Master had been faithfully performed and the address
called attention to all the matters that required the action of all the
representatives of the craft. The Grand Secretary during the year