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  • Oct. 21, 1893
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  • UNANIMITY OF VOTING.
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Unanimity Of Voting.

UNANIMITY OF VOTING .

ONE of the most pleasing characteristics of the Masonic Brotherhood is that those portions of its work which require an appeal to the whole of the membera of a Lodge are generally carried through without opposition , there very seldom being any divided voting or other proceeding -mplying opposition to disturb the unanimity of our proceedings .

Starting from the commencement of a Mason s career we find that in probably nine cases out of ten the ballot for the admission of a candidate for initiation is unanimous , while the same proportion of unanimity may be said to apply when the ballot has

to be taken lor the annual election of Worshipful Master , and generally in regard to other matters brought before the members of a Lodge and submitted to the vote of those present .

1 ms commendable feature will probably be ascribed to the desire of the minority , whenever a difference of opinion does exist , to fall in with the views of the majority , and probably that is the real reason for the general unanimity , but whatever the

cause it is none the less gratifying , and gives proof that'the assertion of the brotherhood that its affairs are conducted on fraternal principles is something more than an empty boast , and is really justified by the general course of events among the members of the Craft , in so far as their Lodae affairs are

concerned . A long experience of such matters in Freemasonry would almost induce the belief that voting is practically unnecessary , but such a view would be a most erroneous one . as it is on the basis of a free

and independent- ballot that much of the success of Masonry has been built up ; indeed , its very existence would seem to depend on a continuance of that principle ; and the maintenance of the right to reject

any proposal or candidate brought before the members must be enforced against any proposal to upset it , or in any wav limit its power .

Bearing in mind the almost universal unanimity that prevails in Masonic affairs it seems strange that the office of Treasurer should be so often a test of strength between different brethren , but we can in a measure account for this when we remember it is the one elective office , ontsidp , thai nf t . hp . Master .

which the brethren are called upon to periodically fill up . It does not seem to make much difference -whether ifc is a Grand Treasurer , a Provincial Grand Treasurer or merelv the custodian

of the funds of a Private Lodge who is to be appointed , there is almost sure to be a contest for the post , and this competition is so opposed to tho general working of the Order as to stand out all the more prominently

m consequence . We find brethren who are accustomed to work side by side with each other in a Lodge , regularly falling into each other's views , and shunning any tiling like opposition to each other ' s proposals , enter

Unanimity Of Voting.

unblushingly into a competition for the post of Treasurer , and supporting rival candidates without fear or hesitation , while on any other subject they would consider such a course almost or quite fatal to the interests of their Lodge , and wholly opposed to

their general sense of things Masonic . We do not know there is any advantage to Freemasonry derivable from this peculiarity in regard to Treasurerships , and would much rather see the general feeling of unanimity extended so as to obviate

the occasional contests that do occur in connection with the office , but , as we have said , it occupies a very peculiar position in regard to the general affairs

of Freemasonry , being virtually the one omce open to all , at least in so far in which English Masonry , is concerned . We have selected this subject for consideration .. at the present moment because we seem to so : " - -rom

afar the excitement that occurs when it is KIIO-. yn Hi at there are rival candidates in the field for the post of Treasurer of the Grand Lodge of England . We believe more than one candidate will be nominated

for the office on the occasion of the Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge in December , and although it is looking a long way ahead when we say we anticipate an active competition will take ^ luce for the appointment it is none the less a subject for

consideration now , when we may discuss tne possibility of preventing an apparent difference of opinion , by arranging that only one candidate should go into nomination . The question to decide in such a case

is , who shall give way ? It is very difficult , almost impossible we may say , to correctly guage public opinion on such a question , and the test of the ballot would seem to be the only fair and reliable means of arriving at a decision , but to do this a certain amount of opposition between members of the Craft seems to

be created , which it would be much better to prevent , if it could be done without upsetting the whole principle which governs the point , and seems to render a free and open expression of opinion imperative .

Looking at the question from another side it may be argued that if the office of Treasurer was periodically settled without a general appeal to the masses , it would rob the appointment of much of the honour that , now attaches to it . and reduce it below the lr-vol -

___„_ . . _ _ _ j __ . .. _ _ , w _ of the other appointments , whereas now it enjoys a glory entirely its own , and one that raises it to a premier place in the estimation of those who recognise that the popular vote supplies the truest and most genuine expression of appreciation the Craft can afford .

On the whole it may be urged , then , that opposition in this one particular , at least , is advantageous , and provided it is carried on with true fraternal spirit

there can De no particular reason to limit or curtail it in practice ; all we can ask is that contests for the post should be conducted with due regard for the principles of Freemasonry ; that all personal features

“The Freemason's Chronicle: 1893-10-21, Page 1” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 14 Aug. 2025, django:8000/periodicals/fcn/issues/fcn_21101893/page/1/.
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Title Category Page
UNANIMITY OF VOTING. Article 1
MASONRY'S DETRACTORS. Article 2
Untitled Article 3
ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS. Article 3
NOTICES OF MEETINGS. Article 4
Untitled Ad 7
Untitled Ad 8
Untitled Ad 8
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Untitled Ad 8
Untitled Ad 8
Untitled Article 9
Untitled Article 9
CORRESPONDENCE. Article 9
ROYAL ARCH. Article 10
THE THEATRES, &c. Article 11
MASONIC SONNETS.—No. 74. Article 11
Obituary. Article 11
THE FRENCH FREEMASONS. Article 12
DEVON MASONIC EDUCATIONAL FUND. Article 12
SCOTTISH MASONIC CLUB. Article 12
WOMEN IN "MASONRY." Article 12
Untitled Ad 12
DIARY FOR THE WEEK. Article 13
Untitled Ad 14
Untitled Ad 14
Untitled Ad 14
Untitled Ad 14
FREEMASONRY, &c. Article 15
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Unanimity Of Voting.

UNANIMITY OF VOTING .

ONE of the most pleasing characteristics of the Masonic Brotherhood is that those portions of its work which require an appeal to the whole of the membera of a Lodge are generally carried through without opposition , there very seldom being any divided voting or other proceeding -mplying opposition to disturb the unanimity of our proceedings .

Starting from the commencement of a Mason s career we find that in probably nine cases out of ten the ballot for the admission of a candidate for initiation is unanimous , while the same proportion of unanimity may be said to apply when the ballot has

to be taken lor the annual election of Worshipful Master , and generally in regard to other matters brought before the members of a Lodge and submitted to the vote of those present .

1 ms commendable feature will probably be ascribed to the desire of the minority , whenever a difference of opinion does exist , to fall in with the views of the majority , and probably that is the real reason for the general unanimity , but whatever the

cause it is none the less gratifying , and gives proof that'the assertion of the brotherhood that its affairs are conducted on fraternal principles is something more than an empty boast , and is really justified by the general course of events among the members of the Craft , in so far as their Lodae affairs are

concerned . A long experience of such matters in Freemasonry would almost induce the belief that voting is practically unnecessary , but such a view would be a most erroneous one . as it is on the basis of a free

and independent- ballot that much of the success of Masonry has been built up ; indeed , its very existence would seem to depend on a continuance of that principle ; and the maintenance of the right to reject

any proposal or candidate brought before the members must be enforced against any proposal to upset it , or in any wav limit its power .

Bearing in mind the almost universal unanimity that prevails in Masonic affairs it seems strange that the office of Treasurer should be so often a test of strength between different brethren , but we can in a measure account for this when we remember it is the one elective office , ontsidp , thai nf t . hp . Master .

which the brethren are called upon to periodically fill up . It does not seem to make much difference -whether ifc is a Grand Treasurer , a Provincial Grand Treasurer or merelv the custodian

of the funds of a Private Lodge who is to be appointed , there is almost sure to be a contest for the post , and this competition is so opposed to tho general working of the Order as to stand out all the more prominently

m consequence . We find brethren who are accustomed to work side by side with each other in a Lodge , regularly falling into each other's views , and shunning any tiling like opposition to each other ' s proposals , enter

Unanimity Of Voting.

unblushingly into a competition for the post of Treasurer , and supporting rival candidates without fear or hesitation , while on any other subject they would consider such a course almost or quite fatal to the interests of their Lodge , and wholly opposed to

their general sense of things Masonic . We do not know there is any advantage to Freemasonry derivable from this peculiarity in regard to Treasurerships , and would much rather see the general feeling of unanimity extended so as to obviate

the occasional contests that do occur in connection with the office , but , as we have said , it occupies a very peculiar position in regard to the general affairs

of Freemasonry , being virtually the one omce open to all , at least in so far in which English Masonry , is concerned . We have selected this subject for consideration .. at the present moment because we seem to so : " - -rom

afar the excitement that occurs when it is KIIO-. yn Hi at there are rival candidates in the field for the post of Treasurer of the Grand Lodge of England . We believe more than one candidate will be nominated

for the office on the occasion of the Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge in December , and although it is looking a long way ahead when we say we anticipate an active competition will take ^ luce for the appointment it is none the less a subject for

consideration now , when we may discuss tne possibility of preventing an apparent difference of opinion , by arranging that only one candidate should go into nomination . The question to decide in such a case

is , who shall give way ? It is very difficult , almost impossible we may say , to correctly guage public opinion on such a question , and the test of the ballot would seem to be the only fair and reliable means of arriving at a decision , but to do this a certain amount of opposition between members of the Craft seems to

be created , which it would be much better to prevent , if it could be done without upsetting the whole principle which governs the point , and seems to render a free and open expression of opinion imperative .

Looking at the question from another side it may be argued that if the office of Treasurer was periodically settled without a general appeal to the masses , it would rob the appointment of much of the honour that , now attaches to it . and reduce it below the lr-vol -

___„_ . . _ _ _ j __ . .. _ _ , w _ of the other appointments , whereas now it enjoys a glory entirely its own , and one that raises it to a premier place in the estimation of those who recognise that the popular vote supplies the truest and most genuine expression of appreciation the Craft can afford .

On the whole it may be urged , then , that opposition in this one particular , at least , is advantageous , and provided it is carried on with true fraternal spirit

there can De no particular reason to limit or curtail it in practice ; all we can ask is that contests for the post should be conducted with due regard for the principles of Freemasonry ; that all personal features

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