Page 331 - Cornelius Hedges Story

For This And Succeeding Generations Gardiner 318

dedicated at Great Falls. There was a good attendance at Grand
Lodge. Besides the 102 on the pay-roll, there were over 300 Past
Masters entitled to seats, but no per diem or mileage is allowed them
and very few attend. The address was of more than usual length and
was effectively delivered. The Grand Master exemplified the work
of the third degree on the night of the first day’s session.

The most important piece of legislation was that requiring the Lodge
Secretaries to report the changes in membership during the month
to the Grand Secretary and he was to publish and send them to each
Lodge. It relieved the Lodge Secretaries but greatly increased the
labors of the Grand Secretary. The salary of the Grand Secretary
was increased to $1,000. The Trustees of the Grand Charity Fund
were instructed to incorporate in order to take and hold real estate.
A committee was appointed to codify the Constitution, By-laws,
Regulations and Decisions, with power to remove inconsistencies,
improve arrangement and to reduce to more convenient form for
publication. A testimonial was voted the Grand Secretary on the
completion of twenty-five years of service. It was a cut glass inkstand
on a silver tray, but the recipient prized most the presentation address
of the Grand Master. Helena was again selected as the place of
meeting, and Brother Charles W. Pomeroy of Kalispell was chosen
Grand Master.
During the year, July 4th, 1899, the corner-stone of our State Capitol
was laid with Masonic ceremonies by Grand Master Pomeroy,
assisted by all the Grand officers, nine Past Grand Masters, and a
large attendance of craftsmen from all over the State. The Grand
Commandery of Montana tendered their services as escort and there
was a large procession of civic societies and citizens.
Besides addresses by Governor Smith and ex-Governor Toole, there
was an address by Past Master Sanders, which was published in the
Masonic Proceedings of the year. The only other special occurred
about three weeks later in Butte at the laying of the corner-stone of a
church, at which Deputy Grand Master Barrett presided.
At the opening of the Thirty-fifth Annual Communication the
Grand Secretary reported that all of the forty-six chartered Lodges
had made returns and paid dues, and all but two were represented.
Though no new Lodges had been organized, one had been continued
U. D. The gain in membership was 150, and the total membership
reached an even 3,000. Aside from laying the corner-stone of the
capital the year had been quite uneventful. By means of a circular