Page:History of Delaware County (1856).djvu/438

414 APPENDIX. a brother is called to bury a wife. There is also some small provision made for the education of the orphan children of Odd Fellows. Inasmuch as this is not a matter regulated by law and statute, we know not how much such unfortunate children may or may not receive. It is also contemplated by means of these lodges to promote among the members a high degree of friendship, of which every member may avail him- self at home and abroad. To accumulate a fund adequate to cover the expenses constantly accruing, the association de- mands of every member a proposition fee of one dollar, initiation fee of five dollars, one dollar for each of four differ- ent degrees, and two dollars for another. There are also small weekly or monthly taxes or dues, which every mem- ber is required to pay, besides two intermediate degrees,'^ as they are called, for which a given sum is no doubt required, though the amount is unknown to us, and we think not specified in any of their printed constitutions. The supe- rior grand lodge, receives its funds chiefly by a tax of $30 for charters given to minor lodges and encampments; also from what is charged as expenses'^ and ^^per centage on reports,' ' from tax on representations, profits on the sale of books, cards, &c. To prevent too great and sudden drafts upon the treasury of the order, it is directed in the several constitutions, that the association be composed exclusively of male members, of a sound bodily constitution, and under forty-five years of age; and if one is admitted beyond this age, an additional fee is charged of one dollar for each supernumerary year, so that if the applicant is seventy years old, his initiation fee will be $30. The following list of the lodges in the county, the date of their organization, and the number of members, was furnished me by C. A. Foote, Esq., county secretary. Delaware lodge was organized March 7th, 1847, in Delhi the number <of members, as reporter! in Aiigust, 1855, was sixty-six.