"To my regret I am compelled to say, that the growth of the Order is not as phenomenal as that of the two previous great suns when a gain of 1500 members was made, but still I am proud to state that, what a few moons ago seemed a probable loss in membership is reverted into a gain, and where the membership one year ago was 3269 we now have 3525 members. Since last Great Council Delaware Tribe, No. 23, at Lebanon, Ononga Tribe, No. 34 at Covington, Red Hawk No. 40 at Somerset, Tawawa, No. 52 at Vine Grove, Sagwa, No. 59, at Lawrenceburg, Wichita, No. 61, at Mayfield, Waukee, No. 62 at Fulton, and Black Hawk, No. 24, at Springfield have become defunct. After due investigation to ascertain the cause of so many Tribes quenching their council fires, I find that the most of the trouble can be found in the following three causes: First, lack of proper instruction; Second, the organizer did not exercise enough care when soliciting charter members for new tribes, placing therein members objectionable to a majority; Third, Tribes numerically and financially weak would overreach themselves in the matter of buying paraphernalia, then finding themselves involved would attempt to give a pow-wow, and instead of bettering themselves would plunge deeper in debt and dissolution would follow. To the credit of Bro. F. W. Jones it must be said that he exercised splendid judgement as to the character of the charter members of the tribes he instituted during the past great sun."
The Great Sachem enumerates his visitations, appointments of Deputies, and decisions rendered. From the recommendations offered by that Great Chief we quote the following:—
"The Articles of Incorporation need to be revised and I would urge immediate attention to this matter.
The minimum fee for the three degrees should be placed at ten fathoms.
The fee for adoption in Councils of the Degree of Pocahontas should be fixed. The laws are at present vague.
The Great Council should empower the Great Sachem to appoint an instructor or Exemplifier, and fix his compensation. A little wampum invested in this manner will materially enlighten and strengthen weak and tottering Tribes."
The Great Sachem recounted the memorial services held by the Louisville Tribes on the death by assassination of President Wm. McKinley, and paid tribute also to the memory of Past Sachems Wm. A. Metcalf, of No. 1 and Thos. Wendroth, of No. 17, who had passed to the great beyond since last Great Council.
The institution of fifteen new Tribes by State Organizer F. W. Jones is recounted, and also of two Councils of the Degree of Pocahontas.
The following consolidations are recorded:
Minewa, No. 53, of Beaver Dam with Kentucky, No. 54, of McHenry, the council fire of the former being quenched forever.