To Force The Colored K. of P.s out of State.
June 9, 1906
Summary
The Knights of Pythias of Georgia make efforts to prevent the use of the words “Knights of Pythias” by black people in Georgia.
Transcription
To Force The Colored K. of P.s out of State.
Resolution Looking to that End Adopted by the Grand Lodge.
(Savannah, Ga. Press.)
The Grand Lodge, Knights of Pythias of Georgia is going to see what can be done in this state to prevent the use of the words, “Knights of Pythias,” by the colored organizations. To this end, under a resolution adopted near the close of the session yesterday, a committee of three attorneys who are members of the grand lodge, has been empowered to investigate that matter and decide upon the best method to proceed to force the colored pythians to discontinue the use of the name in this state. The committee consists of Messrs. J. P. Ross of Macon, grand prelate of the grand lodge; Mr. Thos. S. Meli of Athens, a member of the finance committee, and Mr. S. L. Olive, a member of the judiciary committee. These are three lawyers of ability.
It is expected that by the time of the next grand lodge convention these gentlemen will have found some way to get at this question. If so, the colored organizaitons which pretend to work with the ritual of the Knights of Pythias will be debarred by the court decree or otherwise from fostering the name of the order in the illegal manner in which they now do it. The adoption work for one of the most important pieces of legislation to be considered by the next grand lodge.
Resolution Looking to that End Adopted by the Grand Lodge.
(Savannah, Ga. Press.)
The Grand Lodge, Knights of Pythias of Georgia is going to see what can be done in this state to prevent the use of the words, “Knights of Pythias,” by the colored organizations. To this end, under a resolution adopted near the close of the session yesterday, a committee of three attorneys who are members of the grand lodge, has been empowered to investigate that matter and decide upon the best method to proceed to force the colored pythians to discontinue the use of the name in this state. The committee consists of Messrs. J. P. Ross of Macon, grand prelate of the grand lodge; Mr. Thos. S. Meli of Athens, a member of the finance committee, and Mr. S. L. Olive, a member of the judiciary committee. These are three lawyers of ability.
It is expected that by the time of the next grand lodge convention these gentlemen will have found some way to get at this question. If so, the colored organizaitons which pretend to work with the ritual of the Knights of Pythias will be debarred by the court decree or otherwise from fostering the name of the order in the illegal manner in which they now do it. The adoption work for one of the most important pieces of legislation to be considered by the next grand lodge.
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Lower Left Quadrant
Contributed By
Emma Roberts
Citation
“To Force The Colored K. of P.s out of State.,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed May 12, 2025, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/437.