Concerning The Ballot.

CONCERNING THE BALLOT .

FROM THE MASOXIC ADVOCATE . AT tho organization of tho Grand Lodgo of Indiana , among other regulations enacted for tho government of Subordinate Lodges , Avas ono requiring a separate ballot for candidates for each degree , This rule has been continuously in force up to tho present timo , and every Master Mason made in this jurisdiction has passed the ordeal of this triple ballot . It has also a standing rule that tho ballot must

bo a secret one , and to maintain this secrecy no ono is permitted to inquire how another voted , or oven to disclose how ho voted himself . That all may sharo equally in tho responsibility of tho result of tho ballot , every member present when it is taken is required to vote . So far as pertains to tho first degree , the samo regulations exist in the jurisdiction of all the Grand Lodges in tho United States , and

thero is but one opinion among tho best informed Blasons as regards tho correctness of them . All agree that no ono should bo made a Mason against tho wishes of a single member . But as regards a ballot for the second and third degrees , thero is not only a difference of opinion among AVOII informed Blasons , but also a difference in the regulations of tho Graud Lodges of different States . AVhilo tho

regulations of Indiana are the moro general ones , thero aro some jurisdictions in Avhich only ono ballot is required for tho three degrees . Wo aro informed that an amendment to that effect will bo presented at the annual meeting of tho Grand Lcdgo of Indiana next May . Such being the case , wo call attention to the fact , that tho delegates may have timo to consult the subject before being called upon to act

in regard to it . The Grand Master has been notified of tho proposed amendment , so as to bring the matter before tho Committee on Jurisprudence previous to tho annual meeting . There is much to bo said on both sides of this question . We do not propose to disenss it fully in this number , but may do so in onr next issue . Wo will at this time onlv call attention to somo points that

should bo duly considered . Tho present regulations have governed the Craft in this jurisdiction for moro than sixty years . Under them Masonry has prospered , while Lodges havo been established in every city , town and hamlet in the State . As a rule , to " let AA'ell enough alone , " is a safe one to follow . But is fche question Avhether thero shall be a separate ballot for

each degree or only one ballot for three degrees , one of any special importance to Masonry ? When a man presents his petition to a Lodge it is to be admitted a member of the " Ancient and Honorable Institution " of Freemasonry . In other words ho asks to bo mado a Master Mason . His qualifications and fitness are then thoroughly investigated before tho ballot is taken . If found Avorthy to receive

tho first degree he is certainly Avorthy to receive tho second and third degrees , for the qualifications ( breach degree arc the same , excepting that ho is required to make suitable proficiency in tho ono taken before advancing to another . If after ho has taken one degree tho question is simply as to his proficiency in that degree to entitle him to pass on to the next degree , then why may not tho vote bo taken in

tho usual manner of taking tho sense of tho Lodgo upon any other subject ? What objection could any member havo to this manner of deciding whether a candidate has learned his lesson ? Unless tho candidate is examined in open Lodge no voto at all is necessary , for a Avell posted committee could decide as to his proficiency . It may be said that a candidate , after taking one degree , may

commit some offence that should debar him further advancement . Would ib nofc be bettor in such cases to stop him by preferring charges against him ? If he is nofc worthy to advance , ho is certainly nofc Worthy to remain where he is . Besides , having assumed a Masonic obligation he is entitled to be heard in his OAVII defence . Is it nofc sometimes the case when a ballot is required for each degree that a

candidate is rejected without any apparent cause , to his own injury and that of tho Lodge ? These are somo of the points to bo taken into consideration in connection with this subject . If any of our readers havo any thoughts to present for the good of the Craft generally wo shall bo

pleased to publish them in the next number of the ADVOCATE , Avhich Avill be the only one issued before tho meeting of the Grand Lodge . Let us give the subject the attention its importance demands , and endeavour to act for tho best interests of Masonry in this Grand Jurisdiction .

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