Offensive Blackballing.

OFFENSIVE BLACKBALLING .

WHILE we recognise certain divergencies in the working of English Freemasonry , as compared with the systems in vogue nnder other Constitutions , we find there are really few cases in which there is any real difference , or in which laws promulgated by one Grand Lodge are at variance with those

of other ruling bodies . In various parts of America and Canada laws are in force which appear somewhat strange to the average English Mason , but , on the other hand , there are many points there treated in a matter of fact business sort of way , and laws framed to govern them , which in this country are left to be included in the unwritten code of Freemasonry , and

among these matters may be included the subject we have selected for consideration this week—that of the offensive Blackballing of Candidates , either for initiation or joining .

We do not believe this illegality is practised to any considerable extent in this country , but that it is prevalent , and occurs with a certain amount of regularity in various parts cannot be denied , and it would seem that Freemasonry across the Atlantic is troubled

in much the same way , for at a recent meeting of the Grand Lodge of Canada it was proposed that " the systematic blackballing in any Lodge , of candidates for admission to the Craft , with the view of accomplishing some ulterior obiect , and not on account of

the unfitness of such candidates , shall constitute a Masonic offence . " We cannot imagine one Mason in a hundred attempting to countenance the irregularity which this proposed law is meant to check , rather we should expect ninetv-nine out of everv hundred to

tell us that conduct so . un-Masonic is almost impossible , yet we must believe that in Canada , at least , the system of illegal blackballing has been carried to such an extent as to call for some severe action at the hands of the Grand Lodge . Let us hone that matters

are not so bad in England . That they are bad enough in this respect we are prepared to admit , but let us trust the evil will never be so pronounced as to necessitate the discussion of such a proposal as that set forth above , and which was lately set down for consideration bv the Grand Lodere of Canada .

We are almost afraid we shall be accused of harping too much on one string when we state that , the principal offenders in this matter of illegal blackballing are those who establish and work so-called Class Jud ges , but such is the case , and we think that for ™ is reason alone Class Lodges should be prohibited , vve remember listenin g to a distinguished Grand

r iff ) 0 / 1 ' a * ? recen * kan ( l uet—perhaps we have no fiht to listen , but some men have such a an fi ' Wa ^ ° * ^ scussm S private affairs as to make „ y other course an irrmossibilitv—when wn hoard a

i . p Ascription of the methods adopted in order to eep a certain Lodge up to the desired standard of ls krand Officer and two or three of his friends .

Offensive Blackballing.

If Mr . So-and-So , proposed as an initiate , did not meet the approval of this clique—for a combination for such purposes is nothing else—he was quietly blackballed , and—said our loud talking informant—the

Lodge being a tolerably large one , they were pretty sure , in blackballing a candidate , that they would not be found out . Let us think for a moment what this means . A gentleman is proposed for initiation into

a Lodge , but in a minor matter of business or residence does not meet the approval of two or three members , and they proceed to blackball him when his name is put to the ballot . They simply exercise

their just rights , we shall be told ; but if they make a rule' of conspiring against candidates , simply because they do not conform to their special ideas of what is right and wrong , without any

consideration for the feelings—even the reputation of the candidates—then they are guilty of a great Masonic offence ; whether the offence be included in our published penal code or otherwise is a small

matter , they are none the less guilty . The ballot and its immense privileges are intended to protect the Order from the admission of unworthy candidates , and it was never intended to afford unworthy

Masons an opportunity of exercising their particular whims or fancies to the discomfort of honourable men and the annoyance of the friends who proposed them for initiation .

It is no pleasure to us to extend the list of disagreeablenesses that give rise to Offensive Blackballing in our Lodges . A private quarrel or a public remark is sometimes sufficient to start the objectionable practice , and once it has been called in to aid

either side . to a dispute the breach is widened , if not beyond the hope of a compromise , at least to a very considerable extent . Fortunately for the good name and reputation of Freemasons , rejection on the

ballot is at most a very rare occurrence . In the first place the majority of members of the Order are scrupulously careful as to who they propose as new members , and in the second anything like a definite

objection to a candidate is generally made known to the proposer , and the candidate is withdrawn . There are , however , a sufficient number of rejections on the ballot each year to prove the

necessity for its continuance , and we can but regret that what should be an inestimable privilege—the right to so reject an objectionable candidate—should occasionally be put to an improper use . We have in the past pointed out the nroner course

to -be pursued by any Mason who finds on the agenda for a Lodge meeting the name of an objectionable candidate . He should at once place himself in communication with the proposer , or if he does not care

to take so prominent a part in the rejection he may approach the Worshipful Master of his Lodge on the subject , who can communicate with the brother desiring the admission of the candidate , and explain

that an objection to him exists , although he heed not give the name , or in other way identify the objector .