Grand Grove of United Ancient Order of Druids v. Garibaldi Grove, No. 71, of the United Ancient Order of Druids

The plaintiff is the supreme tribunal of Druidism in California, and the defendant, Garibaldi Grove, No. 71, is a subordinate grove of Druids, of which the appellant, Duchein, is the treasurer. The relation between the plaintiff and the subordinate grove is established by the constitution and by-laws of the order, by virtue of which the grand grove is given “ sole right and full power to grant charters to subordinate groves, to receive appeals and redress grievances, and, in its discretion, for good cause shown, to suspend groves, arrest charters,” etc. By section 15 it is provided that when any subordinate grove shall violate the terms of its charter or refuse or neglect to obey the direction and laws of the grand grove, or the general laws of the order, charges thereof may be preferred in writing to the grand grove, and a copy thereof shall be furnished to the grove complained of and notice when and where to appear for trial. The grand grove holds an annual session on the third Tuesday of June in each year, and it is provided in section 9 of article XX that, “ during the recess of the grand grove the noble grand arch may, whenever he shall deem it necessary, suspend a delinquent…