may appoint to receive the same.
Sec. 8. It shall be the duty of the Junior Past Grand of this Lodge
to act in. the capacity of Past Grand, and to deliver the charge of that
oflace to candidates. Any Past Grand may act as Noble Grand or Vice
Grand when legally called thereto.
Sec. 9. All other ofl5cers (that is, all others than those enumerated
in previous sections of the Constitution) shall perform such duties as
are prescribed for them by the regulations and charges of their oflices
and the By-Laws of the Lodge.
ARTICLE IV.— Standing Committees.
Section 1. The Standing Committees of this Lodge shall be a
Committee of Trustees, a Visiting Committee, a Finance Committee,
and such others as may be created by the By-Laws.
Sec. 2. Five Trustees shall annually be chosen by ballot at the
regular election in March, and a plurality of votes shall elect. The
term of oflSce of Trustees shall begin on April first following their
election, after having qualified as hereinbelow provided, and shall hold
their office until their successors shall have been elected and qualified
by filing certificate of election as herein provided. It shall be the duty
of the Recording Secretary, within one week after said election, to file
with the County Recorder of the County where such Lodge is located, a
certificate of the election of said Trustees, such certificate setting
forth also that the term of office of said Trustees begins on April the
first following. It shall be the duty of the said nowly elected Trustees,
when qualified as above, to approve the bonds of the newly elected offi-
cers; also to act as an Executive Committee of the Lodge in carrying
592 CONSTITUTION FOR 1908
out all acts not otherwise provided for; to procure Lodge room, fuel,
lights, regalia, and all things necessary for the comfort of the Lodge,
under its direction. They shall have the guardianship of all widows
and orphans of the Lodge, and carry out all provisions of the Lodge in
relation to them; and shall from time to time recommend such action
as they may deem necessary for the prosperity of the Lodge; they shall
present to the Lodge at the close of their term of office a written report
of their proceedings.
Sec. 3. The Visiting Committee shall consist of at least three
members, one of whom shall be the Noble Grand. They shall keep
themselves informed at all times as to the condition of a brother who
has been reported siclv; they stall report to the Lodge what benefits he
is entitled to; and they shall provide for his care and watch, as his
case may require and the laws of the Order permit. If a member of
another Lodge be sick ^nd apply to this Lodge for relief, his case shall
be referred to the Visiting Committee as if he were a member of this
Lodge; and if he be entitled to receive benefits from his own Lodge,
this Lodge shall advance the sum thus due him, and forward an ac-
count of the same to his Lodge without delay. The Lodge may, by by-
law, add to the number of this committee and prescribe more specific
details of their duty; Provided that, in cities or towns having more
than two lodges, the Visiting Committees of the different Lodges may,
if they see fit, appoint one of their number to act with a like number
from the other Lodges in the town or city as a special Visiting Com-
mittee, whose duty shall be the care of traveling or sojourning broth-
ers who may be sick or disabled in the town or city where such Lodges
exist.
Sec. 4. The Finance Committee shall consist of three members,
to be appointed by the Noble Grand on the night of his installation.
They shall audit and inspect the accounts, books, securities, bonds,
funds, and other property in the hands of the Treasurer, and the books
and reports of the Secretaries, and other officers and comm_ittees
charged with the receipt and expenditure of money. For this purpose
they shall fix a time and place to meet the Secretaries and Treasurer,
after the last regular meeting in each semi-annual term, and shall re-
port in writing at the first regular meeting in the next term. They
shall also examine all other financial matters referred to them, and
report thereon to the Lodge as soon as practicable. Neither the Treas-
urer, the Secretary, the Financial Secretary, nor any member of the
Board of Trustees, shall be a member of the Finance Committee.
ARTICLE V. — Elections, Etc.
Section 1. No brother shall be eligible to the chair of the Noble
Grand unless he has served a regular term as Vice Grand; nor shall
1908 SUBOKDINATE LODGES IN ILLINOIS. 593
any brother be eligible as Vice Grand unless he has served one term in
some inferior office. But if all qualified members present refuse to
accept the office of Noble Grand or Vice Grand, a Third Degree mem-
ber may, under dispensation from the Lodge Deputy, be elected to
either of said offices without previous service.
Sec. 2. All elective and appointed officers must have the Scarlet
Degree before they are installed.
Sec. 3. Nominations for elective officers may be made at the regu-
lar meeting next preceding the night of election, and on the night of
election immediately previous to the election for each office.
Sec. 4. The elective officers, except the Treasurer and Financial
Secretary, shall be chosen at the first regular meetings in March and
September, and shall hold their respective offices for six months and
until the next regular installation of officers. They shall be installed
at the first meetings in April and October. The Treasurer and the
Financial Secretary (if there be one) shall be elected in March, and
shall be installed at the first meeting in April, and botli shall serve for
one year. If a public installation of officers be had, it may be at
another time than that specified above, but not prior to the first meet-
ing in April and October.
Sec. 5. The election of officers shall be by ballot, except in cases
where there is but one candidate for an office, when the election may
be by acclamation. A majority of all votes cast shall be necessary to
an election. Ballots for persons not properly in nomination shall be
considered blanks; and blanks shall be counted as votes. When there
are several candidates, and there is no choice, at each successive ballot-
ing the name of the candidate having the smallest number of votes in
the preceding ballot shall be dropped from the nomination.
Sec. 6. If any officer shall be absent for three consecutive meet-
ings, except for personal sickness, his office may be declared vacant by
vote of the Lodge, if he is an elective officer, but by the officer who
appointed him, if he is an appointed officer. All vacancies shall be
filled in the manner of the former selection, to serve the residue of the
term; and the officer so serving shall be entitled to the full honors of
the office.
ARTICLE VI.— Degkees.
Section 1. No degree shall be conferred upon a candidate until, by
examination in open Lodge, he shall have been found proficient in the
highest degree he shall have attained, i. e., in possession of the un-
written worlc thereof, so as to give an intelligent explanation of its
uses, and, as near as may be, in the language of said work; Provided,
594 CONSTITUTION FOR 1908
however, that when urgent necessity is shown, and a dispensation
therefor shall have been granted by the Lodge Deputy Grand Master,
such examination may be dispensed with. The dispensation may also
permit the conferring of more than one degree at the same meeting.
Sec. 2. A member desiring to receive any degree or degrees shall
pay to the Secretary of the Lodge the fee or fees therefor, who shall,
under the proper order of business, make known his desire to the
Lodge, at a regular meeting thereof, stating which degree or degrees
are desired; whereupon (the candidate being in waiting), the Lodge
shall be opened in the highest degree the candidate has attained, when
he shall be admitted and examined by the Noble Grand, or other
brother under his direction, as to his proficiency, as required in the
preceding section: after which (the candidate having retired), the
Noble Grand shall raise the Lodge to the Third Degree and put the
question as to his proficiency to a vote of the Lodge; and if a majority
declare him proficient, the degree shall be conferred upon him, but if
declared not proficient, it shall not be conferred until, upon further
examination, he shall be declared proficient. The conferring of degrees
may be done at special meetings called for that purpose.
Sec. 3. A member of this Lodge who shall have paid the fee or
fees for any of the degrees may, upon application, receive a certificate
requesting any Lodge to which it may be presented to confer upon him
the degree or degrees therein specified.
ARTICLE VII. — Dropping, Trials and Penalties.
Section 1. Any member who shall become in arrears for the dues
and assessments accruing against him during the period of one full
year shall, after twenty days' written notice from the Financial Sec-
retary, delivered to him in person, if possible, otherwise mailed to his
last known address, be declared by the Noble Grand dropped from
membership, unless the Lodge shall otherwise direct, or unless, in the
meantime, he shall have paid dues so as to reduce the time of arrear-
age to less than one full year; Provided, however, that a member sixty.
years or more of age, who has been a contributing member of the Order
for twenty-five consecutive years, who shall become in arrears for dues
and assessments during a full year, shall not be dropped by virtue of
such arrearage, but he may be placed upon the list of "non-contribut-
ing members." If so placed, he shall thereafter be known as a "non-
contributing member"; he shall be entitled to receive all passwords
and fellowship of Subordinate Lodges; and, upon payment of the cost
to the Lodge, he shall be entitled to receive the special visiting card
provided by the Sovereign Grand Lodge for non-contributing members.
This Lodge shall be exempt from the payment of per capita tax to the
Grand Lodge upon all such non-contributing members.
1908 SUBORDINATE LODGES IN ILLINOIS. 595
Sec. 2. If any member of this Lodge shall be found guilty of con-
duct contrary to the laws of the Order, or in violation of its principles
as set forth in its lectures, charges and obligations, or shall be found
guilty of any dishonest or immoral act or practice, injurious to him-
self, his family, or to society, or by which the Order may be scandal-
ized, he shall be subjected to such penalty as the laws of this Jurisdic-
tion or the discretion of the Lodge may prescribe.
Sec. 3. If any member of this Lodge shall have reason to believe
that any other has been guilty of conduct unbecoming an Odd Fellow,
as shown in the preceding section, it shall be his duty immediately
to give notice of such violation or offense, in writing, to the Noble
Grand. The Noble Grand shall forthwith refer a copy of such written
communication, concealing the name of the informant, to a special
committee of three members; which committee shall proceed, without
delay, to investigate the matter therein stated; and if, in their opinion,
there is just ground therefor, they shall, as early as practicable,
prefer a charge, or charges, against the member so accused, specifying
therein the particular matter of offense with which he is charged; and
the committee shall have charge of the prosecution on the part of the
Lodge.
Sec. 4. Any other Lodge in this jurisdiction, or a member of any
other Lodge, if his own Lodge will forward his complaint attesting his
good standing, or a member of this Lodge, may prefer an open com-
plaint or information against any member of this Lodge; and such
complaint shall be treated as complaints or informations mentioned in
Section 3 of this Article; but the complaint shall be read in open
Lodge and the committee thereon there appointed.
Sec. 5. Whenever a charge, or charges, are preferred against a
member, they shall be read in open Lodge, at a regular meeting. The
Secretary shall immediately furnish a copy thereof, under seal of the
Lodge, to the member so accused, and at the same time cite said mem-
ber to appear before the Lodge at the second regular meeting there-
after and plead guilty or not guilty to each charge and specification;
and if he pleads not guilty, then the Noble Grand shall appoint a com-
petent member of the Lodge as a commissioner or committee of one to
take the evidence, both for the Lodge and the accused, in deposition
form, by writing down both the questions and answers in full, and
that the said commissioner to take evidence shall be first obligated by
the Noble Grand to perform such duty, and he shall be authorized to
obligate witnesses who may be members of the Order, and cause such
witnesses who may not be members of the Order to be obligated by a
proper'oflicer authorized to administer oaths. Said commissioner shall
have power to pass upon the competency of evidence, and if objections
are made to his ruling, he shall note said objection, together with the
596 CONSTITUTION FOR 1908
question and answer, in the depositions. If the accused appears when
cited and pleads not guilty, the case shall be continued two weeks from
the night the citation is returnable, to give each side an opportunity
to have the Secretary cite their witnesses to appear before the com-
missioner. The commissioner shall have power to continue the taking
of said evidence from day to day, and when the evidence is all taken,
said commissioner shall report the same to the Noble Grand over his
certificate. The Noble Grand shall rule as to whether said evidence
objected to before the commissioner shall be read to the Lodge, and
for the purpose of passing upon the same, he shall, not later than
three days before the fourth regular meeting of the Lodge, at a time
and place selected by him, after notifying the committee of the Lodge
having the prosecution in charge, and the accused or his attorney, in
writing, of such time and place, hear both the prosecution and de-
fense before passing upon the objected evidence. The Noble Grand,
after hearing both sides, shall mark upon the depositions, at the place
where the objected evidence may appear, either the word overruled or
sustained, as the case may be, and the evidence read to the Lodge shall
be only that which the Noble Grand has overruled the objections
thereto.
Sec. 6. If personal service of a copy of the charges and citation
cannot be had on an accused member, by reason of his permanent ab-
sence, concealment, or because of his absconding, the Lodge may reg-
ularly proceed with the trial upon proof of the fact that such personal
service is rendered impracticable, and that a copy of the charges" and
citation has been deposited in the post office, postpaid, directed to him
at his last known postoffice address, and that a liKe copy of the charges
and citation shall have been left at his last known place of residence,
if the same be within the jurisdiction of the Lodge; Provided, such
papers shall be deemed to have been served upon the accused only from
the date when the constructive service above described is complete.
The Noble Grand shall appoint counsel to defend him, if none appear
for him.
Sec. 7. The Lodge, at said fourth regular meeting, or at such
other time as may then be fixed, shall open in the highest degree which
the accused has attained, if he be not of the Third Degree, and shall
listen to the reading of the evidence taken by the commissioner, both
for the Lodge and the accused. The accused shall be heard in his own
behalf in person or by counsel, and the committee appointed to prose-
cute on behalf of the Lodge shall have the right to also address the
Lodge. The Lodge shall then proceed to vote upon the charge or
charges preferred; but no member shall be entitled to vote unless he
were present during the whole of the reading of the testimony and of
the arguments thereon. If the charges be sustained, in whole or in
part, by a vote of two thirds of the members entitled to vote on the
1908 SUBORDINATE LODGES IN ILLINOIS. 597
question, the accused shall retire to the ante-room. The Secretary
shall then read to the Lodge the charge or charges, or part or parts
thereof, that have been sustained, when the Noble Grand, without
motion, shall proceed to put to vote the highest order of punishment-
expulsion; and if that be not agreed to, he shall put the next — suspen-
sion; and shall so proceed until some order of punishment is agreed
to by a vote of two-thirds of the members present. One penalty only
shall be inflicted as the result of one trial.
Sec. 8. Whenever the Lodge shall determine upon suspension, a
motion may be made to fix the time, and two amendments may be
offered thereto, which shall be decided without debate. The Noble
Grand shall put them to vote, commencing with the longest period of
time therein named; and if all of them be rejected, a second motion
may be made, and two amendments permitted thereto, which shall be
put to vote in a like manner; and the Lodge shall so proceed until
some period of suspension is agreed to. But suspension of member-
ship shall work no suspension of dues and arrearages, but they shall
run on during the time of suspension. If the Lodge shall decide to
punish by fine, the same course shall be adopted in determining the
amount thereof as is above provided in fixing the time of suspension;
and in either case, of fixing the time of suspension or amount of fine,
the majority of the members present shall decide the period of time or
amount. But no suspension shall be shorter than eight days, nor
longer than one year.
Sec. 9. When the misconduct is confessed by the accused brother,
the Lodge to v*'hich such case is referred may proceed to vote upon his
punishment without the formula of a trial.
Sec. 10. The only legal penalties for misconduct are fine, repri-
mand, suspension, and expulsion. Fine is not allowed as penalty for
violation of the principles of the Order.
Sec. 11. The penalty for intoxication is reprimand for the first
offense, suspension for the second, and expulsion for the third; and no
other penalties are legal. Provided, the penalty upon the conviction
of a brother who has been expelled for intoxication, has been rein-
stated, and shall again be found guilty of intoxication, shall be sus-
pension for not less than three months, and for the next conviction for
a like offense he shall be again expelled; and provided further, that if
a Representative attending a session of the Grand Lodge shall be found
guilty of intoxication at such session, the penalty shall be expulsion.
Sec. 12. When a definite penalty is fixed by law for any offense, a
brother convicted thereof is sentenced without further vote; if alter-
natives are fixed, the Lodge chooses one of them by vote.
598 CONSTITUTION FOR 1908
Sec. 13. If any accused member shall evade the receiving of a
citation, or, after receiving the same, shall neglect or refuse to attend
the Lodge at the time therein fixed, and there remain throughout the
investigation or trial of his case, the Lodge may proceed in h?s ab-
sence to expel him for contempt.
Sec. 14. At all stages of the proceedings the accused shall have
all opportunity to vindicate himself; and in case of suspension or ex-
pulsion following the constructive citation provided for in Section 6
of this Article, or in case of alleged contempt, the accused shall be
entitled to a new trial at any time within six months, if he shall show
that his absence was produced by unavoidable circumstances, or that
injustice was done him.
Sec. 15. The accused or any three members feeling aggrieved by
the decision of the Lodge in a trial shall be entitled to an appeal to
the Grand Lodge, which appeal must be entered according to the laws
and regulations of the Grand Lodge on the matter of appeals. On
command of the Grand Lodge, the brother may be acquitted or tried
anew for the same offense.
Sec. 16. Any brother having been suspended or expelled, notice
thereof shall be sent without delay to the Grand Secretary and to all
Lodges in the same place; and a brother who has been legally expelled
shall not be admitted to membership again without consent of the
Grand Lodge or the Grand Master.
Sec. 17. If any member of the Lodge shall make to the Noble
Grand any accusation against a brother, under Section 3 of this Article,
which shall be proved to be without reasonable grounds, or false and
malicious, it shall be the duty of the Noble Grand to deliver up the
name of the informant to the Lodge, on demand of a majority of the
members thereof present, that he may be dealt with accordingly.
Sec. 18. This Lodge shall have a black book, in which shall be
entered the names of all persons expelled by this Lodge, or any other
Lodge of which they may have received due notice, with the date and
cause of such expulsion.
Sec. 19. If, at any time before passing upon the objected evidence
by the Noble Grand, the accused, or three members of a Lodge in
which charges may be preferred against a member, are of the opinion
that the accused will not receive an impartial trial at the hands of the
Lodge, and present such opinion in writing, such paper, together with
such evidence as may be desired bearing upon the question of preju-
dice in the Lodge, shall be forwarded to the Grand Master. The filing
of such petition shall suspend all proceedings until such request for a
change of venue is passed upon by the Grand Master. If such req*uest
1908 SUBORDINATE LODGES IN ILLINOIS. 599
be granted, a record of all proceedings had therein up to such time
shall be transmitted at once to the Lodge to which the venue is
changed. Such Lodge shall proceed with the case from that time in
the same manner as if such case had originated therein.
Sec. 20. Upon such removal, the Prosecuting Committee, or some
attorney appointed by them, or by the Noble Grand of the removing
Lodge, may present the case, and the accused may appear by himself
or attorney, as if no such removal had taken place.
Sec. 21. If either the prosecution or the defense shall desire the
testimony of a witness whose attendance cannot be secured, they shall
file with the Secretary of the Lodge the interrogatories they wish to
be propounded to the witness, naming him and giving his address.
The Secretary shall immediately deliver or cause to be delivered to the
opposite party a copy of the interrogatories. The latter party, within
one week of such service, may file counter interrogatories with the
Secretary. At the expiration of the week, or sooner if counter inter-
rogatories be sooner filed, the Secretary shall forthwith forward them
to the Noble Grand of a Lodge near the witness, with a communication
under seal, requesting him to take the deposition of the witness
named. Upon receipt of the same, the said Noble Grand shall, as soon
as possible, take or cause the deposition to be taken by some compe-
tent member of the Order, first obligating him as an Odd Fellow, if he
be an Odd Fellow, or swearing him or causing him to be sworn, if not
an Odd Fellow, causing every interrogatory to be propounded to the
witness and the answer to each to be reduced to writing in the pres-
ence of the witness; and when the deposition is completed, shall cause
the witness to sign the same under his obligation as an Odd Fellow, if
he be an Odd Fellow, or be sworn to and sign the same before one
authorized to administer oaths, if he be not an Odd Fellow; and then
the Noble Grand, or person taking the same, shall certify the same
to have been duly taken, and such certificate shall be verified by the
seal of the Lodge, and the deposition shall then be sealed and trans-
mitted by mail to this Lodge. Depositions thus taken and certified
may be read in evidence in the cause to which they relate.
Sec. 22. When the matter has been determined, a copy of the
record of the proceedings had thereon, with the register of the evi-
dence, shall be returned to the removing Lodge; and the same shall
be filed in its archives, and the judgment entered upon its records.
An appeal to the Grand Lodge may be had in case of a removed trial,
as in other cases.
Sec. 23. All votes taken under the provisions of this Article shall
be by ballot with balls.
Sec. 24. If any member of the Order who shall have been duly
notified to appear and give evidence shall fail to appear as notified, or.
BOO CONSTITUTION FOR 1908
appearing, shall refuse to answer questions as a witness, he shall be
deemed guilty of contempt, and the Lodge may proceed to expel said