The Grand Treasurership.

THE GRAND TREASURERSHIP .

WE have often expressed the opinion that contests for the office of Treasurer of the United Grand Lodge of England , or for matter of that of any Private or Provincial Grand Lodge , are most undesirable ; and although we should be sorry to see the custom of election

for these appointments done away with , or modified to any considerable extent , we are strongly in favour of arrangements being made by which active competition is rendered unnecessary at the last moment .

Our opposition to an actual contest at the poll may be a mere sentimental whim , but we know that the opinion is shared by very many brethren who , year by year , take an active part in the election for Grand

Treasurer , and who nnd themselves m a very awkward position when they have to decide between one or another candidate , both being personal friends , and each entitled to support from a fraternal and friendly standpoint . It is on such occasions that one finds out

the drawbacks of the system ; it being impossible to vote for more than one candidate , or split up the vote between the friends engaged in the contest , and such being the case it must be admitted there is a very

strong argument in favour of arrangements being made between the candidates , with a view to the retirement of some of them from the contest , so as to leave the field open to the one selected brother , and allow of his

unanimous return . It is well known that this year four candidates have been nominated in Grand Lodge for the appointment of Treasurer for 1894-5 , and they have each expressed

determination to persevere in their candidature , and ultimately go to the poll if need be . It is difficult enough in many cases to decide between two candidates , when they are both popular men and well known , but

when four are before the Craft the trouble is far greater , particularly when , as is this year the case , all have merits known to brethren at large , while two at least —Bros . W , M . Stiles and W . Shurmur—move in what

we may almost describe as identical grooves , and are intimately associated with each other in their daily Masonic life ; in fact the difficulty of selecting which of the two old friends to support has been specially marked

this year , and has proved a source of trouble to many with whom we have come in contact . Several have had to decide on the first come , first served principle , giving their promise of support to whichever candidate first

made application for it , and having to express their regrets to the other that they could not also promise him their active sympathy . But happily this trouble is

ended so far as these two distinguished Craftsmen is concerned , Bro . Shurmur having expressed his determination to withdraw this year , in the hope that by so

The Grand Treasurership.

doing he will ensure the election of his old friend , Bro . Stiles , by an overwhelming majority . Early in the week we had the pleasure of receiving an announcement from Bro . Shurmur to the effect that

something of this sort was contemplated , but being m the nature of a private communication we could not make it public , and so had to wait until last night when , as a visitor at the Domatic Lodge Installation , Bro .

Shurmur had an opportunity of speaking , and then announced his determination . The grounds on which Bro . Shurmur explained his decision are those we have

touched upon in our present remarks . He found that his personal friends were also the friends of Bro . Stiles , and it seemed that the continuance of the candidature

in the two cases was creating a split which was neither desirable nor in accordance with the principles of Freemasonry . Moreover , it was continually pointed out to him , said Bro . Shurmur , that last year Bro . Stiles

stood aside so as to allow the triumphal return of the present holder of the office—Bro . Cochrane , and it seemed most desirable that a brother who had so acted one year should be equally considered the next , when

similar competition was rife . However , all ' s well that ends well , and we have had the satisfaction of hearing Bro . Shurmur announce his retirement , and in doing so

express a hope that every one of his supporters would transfer their allegiance to Bro . Stiles , so as to ensure his return at the head of the poll .

We are afraid that in our remarks so far we have to a certain extent lost sight of the other candidates . We certainly mean no disrespect to them , and hope that their candidature may ultimately prove successful ; we

say ultimately advisedly , because , as we have explained , we yet hope to see one candidate go into the office unopposed , and we believe that can only happen by the retirement of Bros . Hudson and Dimsdale from the

contest , as there is no doubt as to the friends of Bro . Stiles persevering to the end . Besides this we may explain our action in regard to Bros . Stiles and Shurmur on the principle that they virtually move in a different

circle to the others , Bro . Hudson being essentially a Provincial candidate , and Bro . Dimsdale being comparatively unknown to the wearers of the blue . We are pleased to hear from Bro . Hudson that he has already

enlisted the sympathy of a large number of brethren , as is only natural in the case of a Craftsman who is so well known as he is , and who has done so much for Freemasonry in his district . We feel that in ordinary

years he would stand a good chance of securing the appointment—but this is no ordinary year , Bro . W . M . Stiles being so well known and so generally

appreciated in London as to render the work of opposing him specially difficult ; and while we wish Bro .. Hudson every success in his endeavour , we cannot help feeling