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Article UNANIMITY OF VOTING. Page 1 of 2 Article UNANIMITY OF VOTING. Page 1 of 2 →
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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
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