*Receipts and expenditures of the present session are not included. Excess of receipts over expenditures......... The balance of the Contingent Fund at the last session was........ .$939 98 156 82 200 00 Incidental expenses of the Secretariate, to date......... Balance......... $356 82 279 33 $77 49 The Committee respectfully recommend the payment of the following claims : 125 00 William Tufts, for refreshments provided at the session of 1877........$298 00 40 00 Josiah H. Drummond, for cash paid expressage, postage, &c............ 100 00 18 50 $881 50 The following tabular statement shows the receipt of dues from the subordinate Bodies for the term ending June 30, 1877, and the amount of dues remaining unpaid September 18, 1877: Ya-nun-dah-sis Lodge of Perfection, of Utica, N. Y., has forwarded its returns, but has not paid its dues of 1877, amounting to $68†. Excelsior Lodge of Perfection, Council of Princes of Jerusalem, and Chapter of Rose Croix, of Camden, N. J., and Princeton and Quincy Lodges of Perfection, Councils of Princes of Jerusalem, Chapters of Rose Croix, and Consistories of Princeton and Quincy, Ill., have failed to make returns and pay dues the past year. Your Committee can conceive of plausible excuses for the non-payment of Paid since Session. dues, but the failure to make returns approaches insubordination, is demoralizing to the Rite, and utterly inexcusable. Sharp reprimands should in all such cases be promptly administered by the Deputy of the District to the culpable Secretary for an unwarranted neglect of duty. The amount accrued for the Permanent Fund during the past term, and from the receipts of the Grand Secretary General at the present session, is........... The balance previously due the fund is (Proceedings of 1876, page 132)............ Total.............. Amount paid the Permanent Fund September 20, 1877.... Balance due the Permanent Fund..... .$1,512 45 7,143 92 .$8,656 37 1,000 00 .$7,656 37 With regard to the recommendation of the Committee on Foreign Relations, referred to this Committee, we would recommend an appropriation of sixty dollars, gold, or so much thereof as will purchase a sight draft on Paris for three hundred francs, to be remitted to the Supreme Council of Switzerland as a contribution for defraying the expenses of preparing and printing the documents forwarded to this Supreme Council. Your Committee recommend the following appropriations, with the distinct understanding that so much of each appropriation shall be expended as shall be found necessary, but in no case shall an appropriation be exceeded: For printing the Proceedings of 1877 and the revised Constitutions. $1,000 00 For printing the Rituals of the 15° and 16°. For printing the ceremonies of installation, etc.................... For the Contingent Fund of the Grand Secretariat.............. For paraphernalia .............................. Total appropriated....... Balance in the treasury September 18, 1877...... Fees for the Thirty-third degree received during the session....... Total...... Amount paid the Permanent Fund September 20, 1877.. Total of available funds........ The pay roll of 1877 amounts to......... The total of claims recommended for payment is.......... Total indebtedness........ Balance in the treasury.. All of which is respectfully submitted, $2,652 83 881 50 300 00 175 00 1,500 00 500 00 150 00 245 00 100 00 $3,970 00 5,147 80 800 00 .$5,947 80 1,000 00 $4,947 80 SAMUEL C. LAWRENCE, WILLIAM R. HIGBY, 3,534 33 $1,413 47 Committee on Finance. Ill... JOSEPH D. EVANS moved that the Supreme Council now close its Annual Session of 1877. Ill.. CLINTON F. PAIGE stated that circumstances had transpired which rendered it necessary to remove the office of the Grand Secretary from its present location; and desired the Supreme Council to give their expression whether it would be desirable to procure a location farther up town; or whether it would be preferable to locate it down town in the business portion of the city. On motion of Ill.. Bro.. EVANS it was recommended that the office of the Grand Secretary be located in the vicinity of the Post Office. The M.. P.. Sov.. Gr.. Commander announced the following Standing Committees: On the General State of the Rite. Ill.. JOSEPH D. EVANS, |