The oldest truly American fraternity has grown greater, stronger and better in our Reservation and its present position fills with pride those who have assisted in its marvelous growth during the past Great Sun, and every member must rejoice in his affiliation with such a powerful thoroughly American organization.
The Great Sachem, assisted by the brothers of all the Tribes in Jefferson County, organized a mammoth class adoption of 500 palefaces, and on the sleep of the 28th of Beaver Moon, G. S. D. 415, in the presence of Great Incohonee W. A. S. Bird, more palefaces were adopted than at any one time in the history of the Order in Kentucky."
The Great Sachem offered many recommendations for the consideration of the Great Council, in the nature of amendments to the laws, particularly regarding the matter of sick and funeral benefits, and among these recommendations the following:—concerning the clause forbidding electioneering:—"This portion of Kentucky Laws is unreasonable, inasmuch as it does not give to the members of our Order the privileges usually accorded to an American citizen. No harm can be done, and no wrong committed by the publicity of the personal wishes of a brother of our Order."
Great Sachem Russell records a vast amount of business transacted, decisions made, appointments, etc., and concludes the records of a remarkable administration as follows:—
"We come to this Great Council with every Tribe having reported and paid its per capita tax, and when the great number of Tribes in this reservation is considered, it is a remarkable condition, and it is due to the enthusiastic fraternal spirit that exists in the hearts of every Red Man in our Reservation.
The American Flag, the emblem of Freedom, renews in every Red Man's heart the true American spirit that was breathed into the souls of the Sons of Liberty and which later proclaimed for them their Independence.
The spirit of Liberty was the foundation of the greatest fraternity of modern times and this same spirit of freedom that prompted the Sons of Liberty has been given additional force by the presence of the Stars and Stripes in the council chambers of the various Tribes, and engenders more thorough fraternal and patriotic feeling than any one emblem. I suggest that the Great Council of Kentucky give each and every Tribe on the night of institution this emblem of freedom, so this same spirit will be injected into the hearts of all the newly adopted brothers."
From the long talk of the Great Chief of Records the following statistics are taken:—adopted since last report, 2,853; admitted by card, 81; reinstated, 145; suspended, 1,623; expelled, 14; withdrawn by card, 95; deceased, 65; present membership, 8,933; Number of tribes last report, 109; new tribes, 31; tribes resuscitated, 5; tribes extinct since last report, 17; whole number of tribes Jan. 1st, 1907, 128. Disbursed for relief, $13,721.55; for burial of the dead, $2,941.50; for other purposes, $41,566.25; invested by Tribes, $49,872.96; Total worth of Tribes, $78,001.86.
The Great Council of the United States had, since the last session of the Great Council of Kentucky, adopted an enabling act, permitting State Great Councils to legislate for the care and maintenance of Widows, Orphans and Aged Red Men, and a bill was now introduced with the following title, being quite similar to the one previously enacted by the Great Council of Kentucky, but which had been declared unconstitutional by the supreme authority:—
"A bill, to provide for the support of Widows and Orphans of deceased Red Men, and of Aged Red Men, and the ultimate establishment of a Home for the same."