Single Voters And Combinations.

SINGLE VOTERS AND COMBINATIONS .

rpHE severe competition which exists in connection - *¦ with the elections for the Central Masonic Institutions is in itself sufficient to deter many who

would like to help the widow or the orphan from attempting to secure relief through their means , but add to this the enormous power secured hy judicious organisation and combination , such as is carried out

by the leading provinces , and the task becomes infinitely more difficult , and may truly be said to appal the ordinary supporters of the Charities , many of whom labour year after year in the hope of winning an annuity or a scholarship for a deserving case , only to find themselves heavily handicapped in the struggle , and surrounded by almost insurmountable difficulties .

We have often spoken of the great advantages enjoyed by the Provinces in the matter of voting combinations , and the very unfavourable position in which London stands in this respect ; but combination among the metropolitan voters , although pretty generally regarded as most desirable , has not yet

been found practicable , and as a consequence London loses ground year after year as the elections come round . The advantages of efficient management and thorough organisation are perhaps more apparent in connection with the Benevolent Institution than with the Schools , from fche fact that in the former case a considerable number of the candidates die off while

they are striving to secure an annuity , thereby losing all the votes which may have been polled on thenbehalf ; while in the latter the supporters of a candidate know exactly know when the age limit rule will come into effect , and can act accordingly ; death occurring so seldom among the candidates for the Boys ' or the Girls' Schools that it need hardly be taken into

account in this direction . One of the principal features of strength among the voting combinations is the fact that they do not lose votes . They concentrate their efforts , and make sure of one or two cases , rather than spread their proxies over half a dozen or more , with the result that the position of all is

improved , but none are elected . Thus they obtain an immediate advantage , and can afford to subscribe a little money among themselves in order to render some help to those whose turn had not come round , and assist them during the period which must elapse ere the time for another election arrives . They also enjoy the power of borrowing votes to an almost unlimited extent , which privilege is denied the single

voxer , or smaller combinations , in consequence of the uncertainty which exists as to the repayment of votes in the case of death , or the difficulty of localising responsibility in the case of disagreement or

it T ? amsatlon 0 l the smaller association . Many of the Provinces regularly appoint representatives , and it is understood that the Province as a whole accepts tne responsibility of repaying any votes loaned to their umcer , so that almost certain security is given , and

Single Voters And Combinations.

loans of votes are arranged without hesitation or fear . Thus it may happen that a district with perhaps a thousand votes can lend them with advantage to another district , which latter makes sure of its case ,

whereas without these combination the two Provinces would have to poll what they had got and wait for the succeeding elections before they secured any return ; in the meantime the candidate may have died , and the whole of the votes polled on his or her behalf

lost . The more the matter is looked into , the more desirable it seems that some steps should be taken by the metropolitan Craftsmen to place themselves on a more equal footing as regards their provincial friends , who are certainly to be commended on the success which has so far attended their efforts in the way of combination . Truly in this respect Union is strength .

The Jesuits Again.

THE JESUITS AGAIN .

AT last ifc seoms a method has been found to check , or afc least refute , the scandalous charges periodically made by fche Jesuits and other religious fanatics against Freemasonry . Strange to say it has been left for tho Craftsmen of a far-off colony to put the new form of

refutation into motion , and although the prime movers in the affair are , so to speak , no brothers of onrs , from the facfc that they own allegiance to the Grand Orient of France , they yet have our sympathy , and we can applaud

them for the stand they have attempted . We also hope tbey will be able to successfully upsefc any appeals to be made fco superior authorities , and that others will be found , even in England , if necessary , to follow the example they

have set . From the accompanying extract from the Times it will be seen that the principal members of a Madagascar Lodge commenced an action for libel against the head of the Jesuit Mission there , with fche result that the defendant

was fined £ 40 , and ordered to pay damages to the amount of £ 400 . Monetary penalties might not stop the fanatics in their abuse , bnfc ifc would go far fco check fche local

colourings which are now introduced by enthusiastic priests , and which add so much to the pain and annoyance caused by fche utterances of their chiefs .

FREEMASONS AND JESUITS IN MADAGASCAR . Antananarivo , 30 th March . By a judgment given in the Court of the French Residency General at Antananarivo , on the 18 th of February , the head of tho Jesuit Mission in Madagascar , Monseigneur Cazet , was fined £ 40 , and

was ordered to pay damages to the amount of £ 400 , together with the costs of the suit , which was an action for libel , instituted by the principal members of a newly-established French Lodge of

Freemasons . The following is an extract from the pamphlet whioh gave rise to the action . It is entitled " Ny Mamasao , " and was published last year in the Malagasy language by the Jesuit Mission at Antananarivo : —

Chapter IV . "And what , on the other hand , are the fruits of Freemasonry ? " " If all the disreputable and loathsome fruits of Freemasonry were set forth , they would be too many for enumeration . Two of the principal only , therefore , will be treated of briefly ,

rebellion and filthiness unspeakable . " After quoting Lonis Blanc's Histoire de la Revolution Framjaise , vol . 2 , p 82 , with the object of showing that kings and princes have been so beguiled by the social pleasures and feastings of Freemasonry as to shelter beneath their