A digest of the laws of the order of Knights of Pythias in the state of Pennsylvania
HS 1225 .P4A3 1872 ■ o s* «. »-A«n£«» «£*. A*' W *V-V ^ ##n o* •••* ^ vof 6°<* hoif.C- \\$t%\ jrf life %m% OF THE ORDER OF l'GHTS OF PYTHIAS IN THE $tate of Pei^ylv&qik COMPILED AND PUBLISHED AUTHORITY OF THE GRAND LODGE OF PENNSYLVANIA, WILLIAM BLANCB01S, P. G. C. PHILADELPHIA: KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS JOURNAL PRINT. 1872. HSl z 2. 5 is?*. Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1872, by WILLIAM BLANCBOIS, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. OFFICE OF THE mT<m& Recording and Corresponding ^cribc KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS OF PENNA. Philadelphia, Sept. 1, 1872. William A. M. Love, Esq., Chairman of the Committee on Law : Sir and Brother : At the semi-annual session of the Grand Lodge of the Knights of Pythias of Pennsylvania, held July 25, 1872, at Wilkesbarre, the following among other pro- ceedings were had, to wit : Whereas, The Committee on Law have reported to this Grand Lodge that Past Grand Chancellor Wil- liam Blancbois has prepared a compilation and classi- fication of the Decisions made by this Grand Lodge, and have recommended that he publish the same in book form : Resolved, That Past Grand Chancellor William Blancbois be requested to submit his said compilation to the Committee on Law, and that said Committee be requested to examine and compare the same, and finding the same correct, thereupon to authenticate the same with their signature, after which Past Grand Chancellor William Blancbois is requested to publish IV RESOLUTION. the same, in book form, for sale among the brother- hood, and with the sanction of this Grand Lodge. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Grand Lodge, year and date as above written. Fraternally yours, [seal.] GEORGE HAWKES, Grand Recording and Corresponding Scribe. GRAND LODGE OF PENNSYLVANIA, K. OF P. OFFICE OF THE n, ^airman of -rtommiitet on Jam and Hupercision. Philadelphia, Sept. 4, 1872. By request of the Grand Lodge of the State of Penn- sylvania, and in accordance with the foregoing resolu- tion, the Committee on Law and Supervision have examined and compared the compilation of Decisions herein contained, and find them to be correct. WILLIAM A. M. LOVE, No. 22, JAMES L. POYNTON, No. 11, DAVID W. WILSON, No. 18, JOHN B. MERRITT, No. 25, HERMAN HER OLD, No. 133, Committee on Law and Supervision. TO THE KNIGHTHOOD AT LARGE. In pursuance of a resolution passed by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, at the semi-annual session, held at Wilkesbarre, July 25, 1872, the undersigned submitted the following Digest to the Committee on Law for inspection. At the earnest solicitation of many members of the Order from different jurisdic- tions, and of the Committee on Law of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, this little work has been com- piled, with great care. It comprises all the decisions (not repealed) of the different Grand Chancellors of Pennsylvania; those made by the Committees on Law, and indorsed by the Grand Lodge; and the dif- ferent resolutions passed by the Grand Lodge ; also, the Constitution of Subordinate Lodges, and the Con- stitution and By-Laws of the Grand Lodge, and se- lections from Cushing's Manual, as well as other use- ful information to the membership. The Committee on Law having approved of the work, it is respectfully dedicated to the brotherhood, by the compiler, with the hope that it may be of some assistance to officers of Lodges and others. Fraternally, in F., C. and B., WILLIAM BLANCBOIS. Philadelphia, September 25, 1872. DIGEST OE THE LAWS OF THE KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS OF THE STATE OP PENNSYLVANIA. ABSENCE. 1. Absence from the regular stated meetings', of the Lodge for not less than three consecutive^ evenings or sessions, without lawful excuse, for- feits the right of any officer to the position he- holds : Provided, The Lodge notifies such offi- cer to appear and show cause why his seat shalL not be vacated. 2. Should an officer elect be absent on the night of installation, unless a satisfactory excuse be given for his non-attendance, the installing officer may require the Lodge to immediately elect another member in place of the absentee, and proceed to install him in the office. 3. An officer of a Lodge who is absent, on account of sickness, for a majority of the nights of his term, does not thereby forfeit the honors of the office. 2 (13) 14 DIGEST. ABSENCE. 4. A subordinate Lodge cannot grant an elective officer leave of absence for the majority of the nights of a term without working a for- feiture of the honors of the term to the officer to whom such leave of absence is granted. Ab- sence caused by sickness is provided for by the Constitution, and the officer is relieved from any penalties for absence caused thereby. 5. A Lodge being unable to hold a meeting for want of a quorum, occasioned by the ab- sence of one or more officers, and the By-Laws providing for a fine in case of such absence, the proper mode of proceeding is for the Recording Scribe, or, in his absence, for any member pres- ent, to note the absentees, keep a minute of those who are in attendance, and at the next stated meeting of the Lodge present this record and have it read ; this will establish the fact of the absence of certain officers, and justify the Lodge in imposing the fine. ADJOURNMENT. 6. The Worthy Chancellor cannot entertain a motion to adjourn until the regular order of business, as laid down for the government of Lodges, has been gone through with. When this has been done, and no member offers any DIGEST. 15 ADJOURNMENT. matter for the consideration of the Lodge, the Worthy Chancellor will proceed with the closing ceremonies without a motion. AMENDMENTS. 7. After an amendment to a question, or an amendment to an amendment, has been either adopted or rejected, either of them is sus- ceptible of other amendments. But no amend- ment to the question, or amendment to the amendment, can be entertained which will de- stroy that which has already been adopted. Nor can an amendment be again received which has been rejected, unless such amendment be first reconsidered. 8. Every amendment to an amendment must first be decided, previous to others being enter- tained, as only two amendments are allowed at one time to a question. Therefore, the second amendment must be disposed of previous to entertaining other amendments. APPEALS. 9. A member considering that injustice has been done him by the decision of the Lodge, may present to the Lodge, within one month thereafter, a written appeal, setting forth his 16 DIGEST. APPEALS. reasons, and the Lodge, during the succeeding month, shall send the appeal, together with the journal and testimony taken by the Committee,, and a copy of all the minutes of the Lodge re- lating to the subject, certified by the signatures of the Worthy Chancellor, Recording Scribe, and seal of the Lodge, to the Grand Chancellor. The appellant shall also furnish the Grand Chancellor with a copy of his appeal, and proof of service upon the Lodge, within the time specified. In default thereof, the appeal may be dismissed to the disadvantage of the Lodge or brother neglecting to attend to the matter. 10. When an appeal from the decision of the Worthy Chancellor upon a by-law is before the Lodge, the Vice Chancellor, during the pending of an appeal, is virtually the presiding officer, and as such must decide all points of order that may be raised, and the appeal must be proceeded with and settled before any other business can be transacted. 11. No appeal from the decision of the Wor- thy Chancellor upon a question of law arising under the Constitution can be submitted to a Lodge for its decision, as the Lodge did not make, nor can it construe it; the only appeal being to the Grand Lodge, the Grand Chancel- DIGEST. 17 APPEALS. lor, or the District Deputy Grand Chancellor, as the case may be. 12. Any one member may appeal from the decision of the Worthy Chancellor on a ques- tion of order. 13. A counsellor in an appeal case must be a member of the Order in good standing, and neither the counsel nor a Committee from a Lodge can be acknowledged by the Committee on Appeals unless they present proper creden- tials from the Lodge, attested by the Worthy Chancellor and Recording Scribe, and with the seal of the Lodge. 14. When an appeal is taken from the deci- sion of a subordinate Lodge to the Grand Chan- cellor, or to a District Deputy Grand Chan- cellor, the decision of the Lodge stands as the judgment in the case, until it is reversed by the higher authority. APPOINTMENTS. 15. The Worthy Chancellor cannot appoint the Guide of the Lodge to fill the chair of Vice Chancellor in his (the Yice Chancellor's) ab- sence, and when there are Past Chancellors in the room. 18 DIGEST. ARREARS. 16. A member disabled or taken sick, when three months or more in arrears for dues, can- not, by the payment of such arrears, become i beneficial during such sickness or disability ; nor would his competent relatives be entitled to funeral benefits, in the event of death from such sickness or disability ; and the expiration of the penalty for non-payment of dues does not relieve a brother who becomes sick while in arrears ; nor does it entitle him to sick benefits, or his compe- tent relatives to funeral benefits, should he die from said illness. 17. A brother while sick and receiving bene- fits from his Lodge cannot become in arrears so as to be debarred from receiving benefits on that account, as it is the duty of the Lodge to deduct from the amount drawn for his benefits, and have placed to his credit a sufficient sum to keep him in good standing. 18. A member in arrears for dues, three months or more, is debarred from receiving weekly benefits, and is required to undergo the penalty as provided in the B}r-Laws, after all arrears are paid in full, before he becomes en- titled to benefits. Payment of arrears and expi- ration of penalty does not entitle a brother, who DIGEST. 19 ARREARS. was in arrears when be became sick, to weekly benefits. 19. A brother three months or more in arrears for dues, who pa}^s the same or any por- tion thereof, reducing the sum of his indebted- ness less than three months dues, is entitled to the S. A. P. W., can vote, speak, or be a candi- date, and hold office in the Lodge. 20. A brother who pays up his arrears when indisposed, and yet able to attend to his usual business, would be entitled to benefits should such indisposition terminate in sickness. The term sickness, within the meaning of the law relative to payment of arrearages while sick or disabled, implies a state of health which prevents one from attending to his ordinary vocation. 21. Should the Financial Scribe neglect to credit a member for money paid as dues in the Lodge, and the brother thereby become in arrears on the books, the error of the Financial Scribe in keeping the accounts cannot be made to result to his disadvantage and injury, as a Lodge cannot take advantage of its own wrong or that of its officers when acting in their official capacity. 22. A member in arrears to the amount of 20 DIGEST. ARREARS. one year's dues may be suspended from member- ship, and shall not be restored until he has paid such sum as the By-Laws of his Lodge may pre- scribe. 23. If a member whose appeal or grievance is before his Lodge, or a Committee thereof, the Grand Lodge or its Committee, becomes a year in arrears for dues, he is not liable to suspension for non-payment of dues. 24. Every member neglecting to pay, and in arrears to the Lodge to the amount of three months dues or more, shall not be entitled to vote, be disqualified for any office, and stand suspended from all benefits and privileges during the pleasure of the Lodge. 25. A member in arrears for three months dues or more is ineligible for nomination for office, and cannot, by paying his arrearages, subsequently qualify himself for election. ASSESSMENTS. 26. A Lodge cannot make and enforce the payment of any assessments, as the Constitution does not recognize them. AUDITING COMMITTEE. 27. On the night of election of officers there DIGEST. 21 AUDITING COMMITTEE. shall be appointed a Committee of three Knights in good standing, for the purpose of auditing the books and settling the accounts of the Recording Scribe, Financial Scribe, and Banker. Said Committee to report at the next stated meeting in writing. The Worthy Chancellor shall ap- point the majority, and the Vice Chancellor the minority of the above Committee. BALLOT. 28. A ballot properly taken, that results in the election or rejection of a candidate for mem- bership, "cannot be reconsidered" by the Lodge, neither can the Worthy Chancellor treat it as if not taken. The consent of the Grand Lodge must first be procured before a reballot can be had in such cases. 29. It being discovered, after balloting for and electing a candidate, that fraud and false- hood were resorted to in presenting his name to the Lodge, the ballot may be declared void and a new ballot had, provided two-thirds of the members present so decide. 30. Balloting, by ball or ticket, is a secret mode of voting, and so designed in order that the vote of one member should not influence that of another, but that every one should vote ac- 22 DIGEST. BALLOT. cording to the dictates of his own conscience, free from external influence; and it is a violation of the laws and principles of the Order to go into an investigation as to how a member voted. 31. At the close of a ballot, on balloting for candidates, the Guide must present the box to the Vice Chancellor, who shall inspect the vote and announce the same to the Worthy Chan- cellor, viz. : " The ballot is in favor of the appli- cant," or " The ballot is unfavorable to the appli- cant," as the case may be. The Guide will then present the box to the Venerable Patriarch, who will inspect the vote and confirm the announce- ment, if correct. The Guide will then present the box to the Worthy Chancellor, who will inspect the vote and proclaim the result to the Lodge and its effect upon the application. 32. In a ballot upon the report of a Com- mittee on the application of a member, suspended for non-payment of dues, to be reinstated, two- thirds of the valid votes cast are necessary to reinstate. 33. Upon the receipt by the Lodge of the report of an investigating Committee on a candi- date, whether favorable or unfavorable, a ballot must be taken. DIGEST. 23 BALLOT. 34. It is the inherent right of every brother Knight in good standing to deposit his ballot according to the dictates of his conscience. But no brother has the right to form a conspiracy to reject good men, in urging other brothers to deposit their ballots against applicants, to retard the progress of the Lodge and the Order, in order that his selfish ends may be accom- plished. 35. If a brother's conscience dictates that he is depositing his ballot for the best interests of the Lodge and the Order, he is right. But if for any selfish or vindictive motive, he is working against the best interests of the Lodge and the Order. 36. If a brother should so far forget himself as to boast that it was his intention to deposit ballots against an applicant or applicants for membership, and would urge others to assist him, he is liable to have charges preferred against him, and, after clue trial and conviction, be fined or suspended, as the Lodge may determine. 37. Upon the examination of a ballot it is not necessary for the "Worthy Chancellor to state the number cast; he merely announces the result, favorable or unfavorable, as the case may be. 24 DIGEST. BANKER. 38. The Banker shall be elected annually at the time prescribed by the Constitution. 39. He shall receive from the Financial Scribe all moneys received by him for the Lodge, and give his receipt therefor. A neglect of this duty, and a loss to the Lodge occurring thereby, the Banker would be responsible. 40. He shall keep a correct account of all moneys so received, and make no disbursements thereof unless authorized by an order from the Worthy Chancellor, attested by the Recording Scribe. BENEFITS. 41. A member cannot rightfully claim weekly benefits when disabled by any disease or in- firmity by which he was afflicted previous to his initiation or admission in the Lodge ; or for any sickness or other disabilit}7- originating from intemperance, vicious or immoral conduct ; or while charges are pending against him under the penal provisions of the laws, but when he has been exonerated or acquitted, after due trial, he may claim for the time if otherwise entitled ; or when so disabled as to prevent him following his usual occupation, but able to pursue some other business. DIGEST. 25 BENEFITS. 42. Every member who has passed the pro- bationary period fixed in the By-Laws, and re- ceived the Knight's degree, incapacitated by sickness or other disability from attending to his usual business or some other occupation, shall be considered a beneficial member, entitled to receive such weekly benefits as the By-Laws prescribe, (not less than two dollars per week :) Provided always^ however. That his disability is not of a permanent character, and such as does not prevent other men, similarly afflicted, from pursuing their avocations, and that he is in good standing in the Lodge. 43. The Lodge may classif}^ its dues and benefits above the minimum rates specified, prescribe the probationary period to expire previous to a member's becoming beneficial, and fix the time when weekly benefits shall commence to be paid to its sick and disabled members by laws of general application ; and upon satisfactory evidence that its funds are so reduced as to be unable to meet the legitimate demands upon its treasury, may be allowed a dispensation author- izing it to reduce its weekly benefits to a sum not less than one dollar per week. 44. It is not required of a sick brother to 3 26 DIGEST. BENEFITS. notify the Lodge that he is going away on a visit. If he should go and remain four weeks, he would then have to make application the same as other brothers who reside three (3) miles or more from the place of meeting. 45. If the Lodge has any doubt of the brother's sickness while absent, they may require a certificate from the physician who attended him while absent. But if the Lodge is satisfied that the brother was unable to attend to his usual or some other business, and was in good standing, the Lodge should pay him his benefits. 46. Absent members, desirous of claiming benefits, shall write or cause to be written an application to their Lodge for benefits within four weeks from the commencement of such sick- ness or disability ; if on land, to be attested as the Constitution requires, and if at sea, to be at- tested by the surgeon of the ship or vessel, and if there be no surgeon, by the captain or mate, to be forwarded to his Lodge at the earliest op- portunity. If the first application should be delayed, and the second should arrive before the first, the Lodge should pay the brother, as it would be rightfully due him: Provided, That the application be not antedated to cover time DIGEST. 27 BENEFITS. embraced in a previous application, and that the postmark and date of application be satisfactory to the Lodge. 47. It is not necessary for a beneficial mem- ber, when sick, to ask for benefits, the Relief Committee visiting him; it is the duty of the Relief Committee to wait on him until he has re- covered or deceased, and pay him his benefits when due, within forty-eight hours after the close of each meeting. , 48. If a brother reinstated is taken sick, or disabled while serving out a penalty prescribed in the By-Laws for the non-payment of dues, (if otherwise entitled,) at the expiration of the time specified he becomes a beneficiary, entitled to the same benefits and privileges as other mem- bers. 49. A brother disqualified by the Constitu- tion or By-Laws from receiving weekly benefits : a Lodge cannot evade the spirit of the law by the enactment of a by-law rendering such dis- qualified member entitled to a weekly donation, as it would then, under another name, give him a weekly claim upon the funds of the Lodge, which claim is denied by the Constitution. 50. A misrepresentation made by a member 28 DIGEST. BENEFITS. as to his age at the time of his initiation and discovered by the Lodge only after his death, would be a bar to the claim of his widow or com- petent relatives for funeral benefits. 51. If a Knight afflicted with temporary insanity, and in a deranged condition of mind, destroys his life, his competent relatives are en- titled to funeral benefits ; except where the dis- ease and destruction of life has been produced by dissipated habits or immoral conduct, when they would not be entitled. 52. It is not legal for a Lodge to pass a law to pay funeral benefits to "Legal Representa- tives " or " Executors and Administrators." The operations of such a By-Law would allow funeral benefits to go into the estate of a deceased brother, and be made liable for the pay- ment of his debts. Funeral benefits are not intended for this purpose, but for the relief of his family, and purpose!}' to aid them in giving their relative a proper burial. 53. The Relief Committee must pay the funeral benefits to the nearest competent rela- tive, provided the Worthy Chancellor is satisfied that such relative will apply the money faith- fully to the purpose specified ; otherwise the DIGEST. 29 BENEFITS. Worthy Chancellor shall apply the money for such purpose, and return the surplus, if any, to the Financial Scribe, with receipts for the ex- penses incurred. 54. Where the By-Laws of a Lodge require that applications for benefits shall be made ac- cording to a prescribed form in writing, and a brother is too ill to write, and a friend informs the Lodge, or a proper officer thereof, orally of the fact, the benefits must be paid if the bro- ther is otherwise qualified. 55. A Lodge cannot make it a condition of the reinstatement of a suspended member that he shall never receive benefits. 56. Should a brother, in good standing at the time of his death, be indebted to the Lodge for fines or dues, it must be deducted from his funeral benefits. 57. A brother, having drawn weekly benefits from his Lodge, through mistake of the proper officers, before he was legally entitled, and when informed of the fact, having promised to return the same, but failing to do so, the Lodge may, at any subsequent sickness of said brother, reim- burse itself by retaining an amount equal to that paid to said brother as above. 30 DIGEST. BENEFITS. 58. A brother in good standing, whose wife dies through intemperance or from the effects of other vicious habits, is entitled to the funeral benefits as prescribed in the By-Laws. 59. A brother who attempts suicide while temporarily insane, and thereby incapacitates himself for work, is entitled to weekty benefits, provided his insanity arises from any natural cause or disease. 60. A Lodge may enact a by-law specify- ing that a brother entitled to weekly benefits shall not receive the same for the first week's sickness. BLANKS. 61. When a blank is to be filled, the question shall be first taken upon the smallest sum or number, and the longest and latest time pro- posed. BUSINESS. 62. All the business in a subordinate Lodge, except conferring of degrees, shall be transacted in the Knight's degree. BY-LAWS. 63. By-Laws in conformity with the Consti- DIGEST. 31 BY-LAWS. tution may be made, altered, amended, added to, or dispensed with, by submitting the proposition to the Lodge in writing, signed b}^ two members of the Knight's degree, and having it read at two stated meetings previous to being acted upon, wrhen, two-thirds of the valid votes cast concur- ring, it shall be adopted : Provided, hoivever, It does not contravene or conflict with any of the established principles, laws, rules, or regulations of the Grand Lodge, the Supreme Lodge of the Knights of Pythias, or the Order in general ; but they shall have neither force nor effect until approved by the Grand Chancellor, and all By- Laws or parts of By-Laws, which have been adopted by the Lodge, contravening or conflict- ing therewith, shall be considered as repealed from and after the date of such approval. 64. Subordinate Lodges wishing their By- Law^s approved must furnish the Committee on Law with not less than five printed copies, prop- erly attested ; an approved copy of the B}-Laws of each Lodge to be forwarded, and kept in the office of the Grand Scribe. 65. The By-Laws of subordinate Lodges, or amendments thereto, require the sanction of the Committee on Law of the Grand Lodge, and of the Grand Chancellor, before they go into effect. 32 DIGEST. BY-LAWS. 68. It is perfectly legal for a Lodge to have a by-law compelling a brother to sit up with a sick member, or pay a fine if he fails to do so. 67. A by-law not in accordance with the Constitution, general laws, or usages of the Order, although it may have inadvertently re- ceived the sanction of the Committee on Law and the Grand Chancellor, must cease to be oper- ative whenever the Lodge is officially informed of the fact. 68. The Grand Lodge may alter or amend such part or parts of its By-Laws as two-thirds of the Lodges present entitled to vote may de- termine, providing such alterations or amend- ments do not conflict with the Constitution, and have been proposed at a regular session previous to adoption. 69. A Lodge cannot set aside any part of their By-Laws by a mere resolution. CARDS. 70. Any member squaring his account on the books of the Lodge may apply for a with- drawal card, when a vote shall be taken, and in case the majority of those voting refuse to grant the card, the objections shall be stated in writing, DIGEST. 33 CARDS. and the applicant be entitled to a trial in the same manner and form as upon other charges. 71. The vote of the majorit}^ in favor of granting a withdrawal card severs the connection of the applicant from the Lodge, whether the card is taken or not. 72. A card ma}- be recalled or annulled by the Lodge for proper cause. 73. Members of a defunct Lodge, who were in good standing at the time of dissolution, may be admitted into another Lodge, after having applied for and received a card, signed by the Grand Chancellor, and countersigned by the Grand Recording and Corresponding Scribe, with the seal of the Grand Lodge attached ; the application for such card must be accompanied by the fee of two dollars, the card to hold good for twelve months. 74. A brother having lost his withdrawal card, and wishing to connect himself again with the Order, may apply for a duplicate card to the Lodge from which he withdrew, when, upon sat- isfactory evidence received by the Lodge of the brother's identity, the duplicate may be granted. 75. The Grand Recording and Correspond- ing Scribe is authorized to furnish blank with- 34 DIGEST. CARDS. drawal cards to the Representative or Recording Scribe of a subordinate Lodge, upon application therefor. 76. It is not legal for any subordinate Lodge to enact a by-law preventing any brother Knight from depositing his card in such Lodge, by reason of his being over fifty years of age. 77. The vote on granting a withdrawal card is the usual voting sign, and is merely taken to ascertain if there be objections to the granting of the card. Should a majority of the legal voters present vote against granting the card, or there be objections, they must be reduced to writing, and submitted to the Lodge at the same session ; otherwise the Worthy Chancellor, before the Lodge closes the session, must declare the card granted. 78. A withdrawal card entitles the holder thereof to the S. A. P. W. in force at the time the card is issued, and the card can be visited on during the period, and until the S. A. P. W. thus given expires, and no longer ; but the card may be presented for application to membership at any time before or after the term of twelve months, as expressed upon the card. DIGEST. 35 CARDS. 79. A member of the Order wishing to join a Lodge by depositing his withdrawal card from the Lodge of which he was formerljr a member, and being elected, but failing to present himself to the Lodge until some time thereafter, on ac- count of absence from the place of meeting, the dues of a member so situated do not commence until he signs the Constitution. 80. Blank withdrawal cards are furnished to subordinates by the Grand Lodge, none others being legal. CEREMONIES. 81. The Lodge cannot deviate in the cere- monies from the instructions given by the Com- mittee of Superintendence. 82. The ceremony of installation must be performed in the Knight's degree. CHARGE BOOKS. 83. The charge books of a subordinate Lodge are in the official keeping of the Worthy Chancellor. He shall neither take nor allow them to be taken from the Lodge-room ; he shall place them in a secure place (which must be provided by the Lodge) immediately after the close of each session, and no copies of or ex- 36 DiaEST. CHARGE BOOKS. tracts from any part or parts of the books shall be taken for any purpose whatever ; and no offi- cer or member, except the Worthy Chancellor, or in his absence the Yice Chancellor or Guide, shall be intrusted with the key of the receptacle for the said books; and any other officer or member opening the same subjects himself to charges, and is liable to suspension. CHARGES. 84. Charges or complaints made against members of the Lodge, under the penal pro- visions of the laws, rules, and regulations, shall be reduced to writing, and distinctly state the cause, time, and place of occurrence, and the Recording Scribe shall furnish the accused with a copy thereof and notice that the matter will be taken up for consideration at the next stated meeting of the Lodge, one week thereafter, when a Committee of five members, of the Knight's degree, shall be appointed. 85. The Committee to whom a charge has been referred shall examine the parties, their proofs and witnesses, carefully and impartially, after giving them notice and fair opportunity to be present at the time specified, when the ac- cused and accuser each have the privilege of DIGEST. 37 CHARGES. being represented by a member of the Order in good standing, having the Knight's degree ; but no witness or person other than the accused and accuser, their representatives, and the Commit- tee, shall be allowed to be present during the examination ; and the Committee shall keep a correct journal of the proceedings, reduce the testimony received to writing, and have it signed by the witnesses in the order it was received, and, after having received all the evidence and proofs presented, reduce their opinion as to the guilt or innocence of the accused to writing, and present the same, together with the journal of their proceedings and the testimony received, to the Lodge, at a stated meeting, as early as prac- ticable thereafter. 86. It is the duty of a brother taken sick while under charges to report himself to the Lodge, and the Relief Committee must visit him. 87. Charges preferred against a District Deputy Grand Chancellor, in regard to his offi- cial acts, must be preferred in the Grand Lodge. As to his acts as a member of the Order, the proper tribunal is the subordinate Lodge. 88. A Committee on Charges having made their report to the Lodge, at the next stated 4 38 DIGEST. CHARGES. meeting the same shall be considered and a ballot taken, (the white balls in favor and the black opposed,) when the majority of the ballots cast being in favor of the report, it shall be re- corded as the judgment of the Lodge. 89. When an impeached Lodge neglects or refuses to answer within a given time, it may be tried, suspended or dissolved for contempt. 90. A Lodge is required to entertain a charge against one of its members when brought by a member of another Lodge, if the said charge is in regular form, properly attested, and thought worthy of investigation by the Lodge to which the brother making the charge belongs. 91. All members present are required to vote upon the report of a Committee on Charges, and upon the penalty to be imposed, except those whose interests are involved in the result. 92. Any member of a Lodge who has been regularly tried upon a charge containing several counts, and acquitted, cannot be again tried upon that charge, or any of the separate counts therein contained. 93. A member under penal charges cannot be refused admittance to the Lodge, and may DIGEST, 39 CHARGES. participate in the work of the Lodge. If an officer of the Lodge, he may continue to perform the functions of his office, unless the Lodge de- cides otherwise ; the only effect of undecided charges being to deprive him of the right to be installed into an office, or take a withdrawal card, and where the charges bear upon the right to benefits, to suspend the payment thereof until a final decision is given. 94. When a charge is regularly preferred against an officer elect before installation, the incumbent must hold over, filling the chair pro tern, until the result of the trial upon the charge is known, when, if proven guilty, and the pen- alty is simply a fine, the officer elect may be in- stalled on its payment ; but a suspension will cause a vacancy which must be filled by a new election. 95. When charges are preferred under the penal provisions of the law by one brother against another, they must be reduced to writ- ing, with the signature of the brother attached who preferred the charges. 96. It requires no action of the Lodge to receive charges regularly made. It is the duty of the Worthy Chancellor to receive them, in 40 DIGEST. CHARGES. justice to the brother preferring them, if he be in good standing, the brother being responsible for the same under the law ; the Worthy Chan- cellor shall direct the Recording Scribe to read the charges to the Lodge, after which the whole matter lies over until the next stated meeting, the Recording Scribe furnishing the accused with a copy of the charges, and notice that they will be taken up for consideration at the next stated meeting of the Lodge ; when a Committee of five will be appointed, as the By-Laws of the Lodge may direct, the Committee to proceed in accordance with the law as laid down in the Constitution. 97. When the Worthy Chancellor receives charges, regularly preferred under the penal provisions of the law, they become the property of the Lodge, the accused and the accuser, and cannot be withdrawn without the consent of the three parties above named ; and if the Lodge and the accuser should withdraw them without the consent of the accused, they would be doing great injustice to the brother charged, as an ac- cusation has been made against his character, and it is but just and right that he should have a fair, just, and impartial trial, if he demand it. DIGEST. 41 CHARGES. 98. Charges may be preferred for cause against a sick member who is absent from the place of location of the Lodge, but they cannot be tried in his absence; the brother charged must have a fair opportunity to be present at the trial, either in person or by counsel. 99. A Committee on Charges having been appointed, and before proceeding to a trial, a member of said Committee notifies the Lodge of his inability to serve on account of absence from the cit}r, town, or borough, the Lodge must pro- ceed to fill the vacancy in the manner in which the Committee was originally selected. 100. It is not the official duty of any officer of a Lodge to prefer charges against a member on information given by persons not members of the Order; but in case such information is given by a creditable person, the officer should com- municate the subject-matter of it to the Lodge for its consideration and action. 101. The Worthy Chancellor or Yice Chan- cellor of a Lodge, preferring a charge against a member, are not competent to appoint the Com- mittee to try the case, or sit as officers when said charge is under consideration, and the Lodge must select a Committee by ballot, unless the 42 DIGEST. CHARGES. By-Laws provide a way of selection other than the appointment by the Worthy Chancellor or Yice Chancellor. 102. A Committee investigating charges against a brother must exclude all persons from the room except the parties to the trial, and ad- mit and examine the witnesses separately. 103. A brother, pleading guilty in open Lodge to a charge preferred against him, waives a trial ; but the Committee appointed to try the case may present a resolution prescribing the punishment for the offence. 104. In the ballot upon the report of a Com- mittee on Charges, as to the guilt or innocence of the accused, a majority decides. 105. In balloting to prescribe the punish- ment to be inflicted on a member found guilty of a charge, it requires a two-thirds vote to repri- mand, fine, or suspend. CHARTER. 106. Not less than nine Knights in good standing, sound in health, mind, limb, and body, not less than twenty-one years of age, may apply to the Grand Lodge for a charter or dispensa- tion to establish a new Lodge, which application DIGEST. 43 CHARTER. must be accompanied by a sum of not less than fifteen dollars, exclusive of the printed Ritual of the Order, which shall be furnished at such prices as the Grand Lodge may determine : Provided, however, That in places where the Order is not established, it is not necessary for the applicants to be Knights. The application must be accompanied by the withdrawal cards from the former Lodge. 107. A Lodge may be suspended or dissolved, and its charter or dispensation forfeited to the Grand Lodge, for improper conduct ; for neglect- ing or refusing to conform to the Constitution or laws of the Grand Lodge, or the general laws, rules, and regulations of the Order; for neglecting or refusing to make its returns, or for non-pay- ment of dues to the Grand Lodge; for neglecting to hold regular stated meetings as provided, unless prevented from doing so by some unfore- seen circumstance ; by its membership diminish- ing to less than a constitutional quorum. 108. The charter or dispensation shall not be forfeited until the Lodge has been duly notified of its offence by the Grand Recording and Corresponding Scribe, and opportunity given to answer the charges made against it. 44 DIGEST. CHARTER. 109. No Lodge shall have power to keep their charter books open for a longer period than three months, unless by special permission from the Grand Lodge or the Grand Chancellor; but in no case shall such permission be granted to any Lodge which has two hundred and fifty members. COMMITTEES OF GRAND LODGE. 110. The Committee on Law and Supervi- sion shall, when such subjects are presented to the Grand Lodge and duly referred to them, in- quire into all cases of infraction of the estab- lished laws and regulations of the Order, and recommend such measures as they may deem expedient for correcting the innovation. During the investigation, said Committee shall be actu- ated by impartial justice alone, and a strict adherence to the Constitution. They shall ex- amine the By-Laws of all subordinate Lodges before being printed, reject any article or section which may conflict with the Constitu- tion, and present them to the Grand Chancellor for approval, before returning them to subordi- nate Lodges. The Committee shall consist of five members. 111. The Committee of Finance and Mileage DIGEST. 43 COMMITTEES OF GRAND LODGE. shall audit the accounts of the Grand Scribe and Grand Banker once in each term, and report their proceedings at each regular meeting, or whenever they may be required to do so by the Grand Lodge. They shall examine all bills pre- sented against the Grand Lodge, and approve the same, prior to an order being drawn for their paj^ment; submit, at each annual meeting, a full estimate of the expenditures of the ensuing year, and also an inventory of all property owned or claimed by the Grand Lodge ; compute the mileage of officers and Representatives, and report the amount to which each is entitled, and no order shall be drawn for such amount until the bill for the same is indorsed by a majority of the Committee. It shall consist of seven members. 112. The Committee on Appeals and Griev- ances shall hear all appeals and grievances from Lodges or members of Lodges referred to them by the Grand Lodge or Grand Chancellor, and report their decisions with the utmost despatch to the Grand Lodge, or to the Grand Chancellor during the recess. But no member of this Com- mittee shall serve on any case of appeal from the Lodge of which he is a member. It shall consist of five members. 46 DIGEST. COMMITTEES OP GRAND LODGE. 113. The Committee on Returns and Cre- dentials shall examine and report to the Grand Lodge on the regularity of returns of subordi- nates, and upon the correctness of certificates of Representatives and Past Chancellors. It shall consist of three members. 114. The Committee on Printing and Sup- plies shall have charge of and superintend all the printing, binding, and supplies which may be from time to time ordered by the Grand Lodge, and make a report to the Grand Lodge of their transactions at each stated session. It shall consist of three members. 115. The Committee of Superintendence shall consist of thirteen members, residing within the limits of the city of Philadelphia. They shall effect an organization within three weeks from the time of their appointment, by the selection of proper officers, (provided, the first person named on the Committee shall act as Chairman,) visit officially each subordinate Lodge in the city of Philadelphia at least twice in each term, for the purpose of instructing in the unwritten work of the Order, and endeavoring to secure uniformity in the same, and report from time to time to the Grand Chancellor. Each member of DIGEST. 47 COMMITTEES OP GRAND LODGE. the Committee shall be furnished with a certifi- cate of his appointment, by the Grand Corre- sponding and Recording Scribe, under his hand and the seal of the Grand Lodge. 116. The Committee on the State of the Order shall consist of five Representatives, to whom shall be referred all appeals from subor- dinate Lodges for aid and assistance. 117. All Committees shall be appointed from the qualified Representatives, and every Repre- sentative neglecting to attend to the duties assigned to the Committee, after being duly no- tified, shall be dealt with as the Grand Lodge may determine. 118. The first Representative named on a Committee shall be the Chairman thereof; it shall be his duty to convene the Committee within ten days of receiving notice of their appointment, unless otherwise provided for, and proceed to the consideration of the matter or subject, or the discharge of the duties that have been assigned to them. 119. Every Committee shall have authority and power to call for such books, documents, papers, and other articles as are necessary to a correct understanding of the matter or subject 48 DIGEST. COMMITTEES OF GRAND LODGE. under consideration or the business they have been charged with. 120. The report of a Committee shall be made in writing and signed by the majority of its members, but the minority or individual members thereof shall be entitled to present their views and conclusions in writing. 121. The Committee on Appeals cannot re- ceive new evidence, except to prove irregularity, informality, or unfairness in the proceedings of a Lodge or its Committee ; nor can a Lodge introduce testimony to contradict its own min- utes. 122. The person first named on a Special Committee shall act as Chairman until another is chosen by the members of the Committee ; and the mover of a resolution referred to a Special Committee is usually the first named thereon. 123. Any member may excuse himself from serving on a Committee, if, at the time of his appointment, he is a member of two other Com- mittees; but a member cannot be appointed on a Committee when absent from the Lodge. 124. A Committee cannot be discharged until all the debts contracted by it shall have been paid. DIGEST. 49 CONSTITUTION. 125. The Constitution for subordinate Lodges shall not be altered or amended unless the pro- posed alteration or amendment be submitted in writing, signed by five Representatives, at a regular session of the Grand Lodge, when the Grand Recording and Corresponding Scribe shall have the provision printed and furnish each Rep- resentative with a copy, and each Lodge with three copies. The proposition then being ap- proved by the concurrent votes of two-thirds of the Representatives present at the next suc- ceeding stated session, it shall be considered part of the Constitution, annulling and repealing all such parts as conflict therewith. 126. The Constitution of the Grand Lodge shall not be amended, unless such proposed amendments be submitted in writing at a regular session, signed by three Representatives, when the Grand Recording and Corresponding Scribe shall cause said amendments to be printed, and distribute copies thereof to each subordinate Lodge within this jurisdiction, and at the next regular session the question shall be taken on their adoption, and if approved by a vote of two-thirds of the Lodges represented entitled to vote, and the Supreme Lodge, they shall become a part of this Constitution. 5 50 DIGEST. 