Grand Lodge Of New York.

GRAND LODGE OF NEW YORK .

FUOM THK KEYSTONE . fpHE 102 nd Annual Grand Comnnnieition of tho Gr . ind Lodgo of L New York was hold on Tues lay and Wednesday , 5 th and fith instant , Bro Benjamin Fhglor , M . W . Grand Master , presiding-Thero wero over eight htm lrel roproso-itativcs of Lodges present . Grand Master ' s Addre . 11 . —After ojngratulatiu : » tho as-iomblod ropivsontatives npju tho close of n year of general prosperity to tha

Craft throughout tho jurisdiction , Grand Master Flagler reviewed the official work of his year , and roonnmndo . l the recognition of tho now Graud Lolges of Ariz wi and Peru . In relation to tho penalty attaching to tho non-piymonfc of dues , a subject which interests every member of the Fraternity , ho said : In 1873 now regulations wore alop ' . el by U \ o Gr . wl Lodgr > ,

providing a penalty for the uon-piymsnt of dnes . I am forced to the conclusion that thoso regulations do not properly protect the interests of the subordinate Lodges . So long a * tho Grand Lodge requires payment of a stated sum from tho subordinate bodies , ifc must of necessity permit those Lodges to c H : ot dues from membars , and as their existence depends entirely u , > > n their ability to piy to the

Graud Lodge each year the rmneys demanded , thoy should havo tho authority to compel payment of the du i provided for by their Byelaws . Every Mason , when ho becomes a member of a Lodge , signs his name to the Bye-laws , and by his own act outers into a contract to pay into that Lodgo each year tho amount therein stated as duos . Any failure ou his part to do this indicates a want of integrity , and

is a clear violation of a solemn compact . And as the Lodge enters into obligations based upon the agreement of each member to pay a certain sum each year , tho neglect or failure to pay often proves a source of embarrassment to the Lodge and brings scandal upon tho Fraternity . The Penalty for Non-payment of Du-is . —Thero has been iu my

opinion a groat deal of mistaken sentiment brought into tho discussions of this subject heretofore . If tho neglect or refusal to pay was confined to onr indigent Brethren , all this might do , but experience demonstrates thafc it is not . The representatives of Lodges here present will , I think , boar me out in tho assertion that at least threefoarths of those unaffiliated by Lodges for non-payment of dues are

those who could well afford to pay if they choso so to do . Therefore my opinion is , the neglect or refusal to pay by members who can do so without injury to their families , should snbject the delinquent to a loss of his Masonic privileges , and that the penalty should be suspension from all tho rights and privileges of Masonry until payment be made of the amount due at the time of such

suspension . There is another consideration that has arisen out of my experience during the year , namely , thafc the penalty of unaffiliation for non-payment of dues fixed by our regulations , leaves the particular brother free , except that he owes his Lodgo a certain amount whatsoever thafc may be , and we havo a clear ri ght to provide that he shall not affiliate in any other Lodge in this

jurisdiction until he has satisfied that claim . But we cannot enforce outlaws on other jurisdictions , nor make thorn the collectors of money due us ; hence , when one declared to be an unaffiliate in this jarisdicfci pu seeks affiliation in another , they are only bound iu considering his petition to ascertain whether he is really an unaffiliate , and not whether he owes us any dues . I commend this whole matter to the

careful consideration of this Grand Lodge . What Constitutes a Summons . —Referring to tho question of what constitutes a summons—another matter of general interest to tho Fraternity at large—he said : — The question has often been asked , " What is a legal summons ?" I havo replied : —A summons , to be legil and of effectmust bo issued

, by the Master , over his own signature or by tho order of the Master , and be attested by the Secretary under tho seal of the Lodge ; that it must bo addressed to tho brother summoned , and either be handed to him or sent through the post office fcn his last known address . As there seems to be considerable diversity of opi .

mon in this matter it should bo settled by this Grand Body , and I recommend forms for summons to be decided upon and printed in tho transactions or with the constitution and statutes as a guide . The practice of using the word " summoned " in simple notices and of publishing in newspapers so-called summons is a grave mistake , and has led to the general impression that a- summons is no more than

a notice , and therefore but little attention is paid thereto , and onr Lod ges seem to have discontinued almost entirely to discipline members for refusing or neglecting to obey . A summons should not bo lightly used , or when the purpose to bo accomplished may be attained as well as by notice . I havo given tho generally accepted definition , but respectfully urge that thero bo a legal definition , that

a mere notice or newspaper advertisement may not be mistaken for so important a document . lhe Illustrious Dead . —The Grand Master next delivered eulogies on tho illustrious dead of the year . Tho mortuary list contained the names of tho Right Worshipful John M . Reillv , Charles E . ronng , Henry W . Turner , James W . Simonton , Thomas If . Landou ,

Joseph B . Chaffee , Dr . C . Henry King , Levi II . Willard , Charles w'aijr , and Worshipful Brother Ezra Graves . Annual Report nf Officers . —After the reading of the Grand Master ' s fja clrc ? s , which was received with approval , the Graud Treas ., Bro . John Boyd , presented his report , which showed tho receipts for the year from aI ] sourcea to ho 85 , 09215 dols . The report of Bro . TVttt _ - ,. ~_ . ~ uuu .... ~~— ** ^„ . ., w . ^ .. v . outers

, Grand Secretary , showed that tho number of initiations nnd restorations during tho year was largely in excess of the unaffiliatjons and deaths . Tho report of the Graud Librarian , Bro . II . G . arter , showed that that important department had been adminisered with a degree of success unknown in former time ? . The ,. , " * suggested ' many important improvements , which will no aoubt be made , as their introduction will have tho effeefcof increasing l "e revenues of tho Fraternity . Tbo report of tho Trustees of the

Grand Lodge Of New York.

HaU and Asylum Fnnd , who havo charge of the Temple , showed that tho building had boon kept iu excellent repair and beautified to a considerable extent . Tho receipts from all sources wero 97 , 11 - ' 7 S , of which nev . ty 3 : 5 , 00 : ) dols . his been devoted to a reduction of the debt of the Temple . Tho Trustees give notice thafc after the lst pros , they will be prepared to purchase income bonds to the

amount of 25 , 000 dols . On Wednesday tho Finance Committee reported in favour of fixing tho salary of tho Grand Secretary at 3 , 500 dols ., with an allowance of 1500 dols . for clork hire , the salary of the Grand Lecturer at 1000 dols ., with an allowance not exceeding 400 dols . for travelling expenses , tho Gr . ind Pursnivant and tho Grand Tyler to receive 200 dols . each . Tho following brethren wero elected Grand Officers for the ensuing

Masonic year , and installed into their respective stations : —Bros . J . Edward Simmons , of Now York City , M . W . ( Graud Master Bro . Benjamin Flagler declining a re-election ) , William A . Brodie , of Geiioser ) R . W . Dipnty Grand Master , John W . Vrooman , of Herkimer , R . W . Grand Senior Warden , John TVn Eyck , of Albany , R . W . Junior

Grand Warden , John Boyd , of Now York , R . W . Grand Treasurer , and E . L . M . Ehlors R . W . Grand Secretary . R . W . Bro . Thoopbilns Pratt , President of the Masonic Veteran ' s Association , was chosen one of the Trustees of the Hall and Asylum Fund . Tbo newly elected Grand Master , Bro . J . Edward Simmons , was horn in Troy , 19 th September 1811 . Ho was educated at Williams

College , and was graduated from that institution , iu tho class of 1862 . He studied law in the Albany Law School , and was admitted to the Bar in 1863 . Returning to Troy , he practised law there for two years , and then abandoned the practise of his profession . In 1865 he removed to New York city and became a member of tho Stock Exchange , and has retained his membership iu thafc institution

through a successful business career . He was initiated in Mount Zion Lodgo , No . 311 , in 1861 , and ten years later affiliated with Kane Lodge , No . 154 , of New York . He was Master of Kane Lodgo in 1877 and 1878 . During the administration of Grand Master Couch ho was appointed District Depnty Grand Master of tho Sixth District , and was Grand Marshal under Grand Master Roome . He was elected

Deputy Grand Master last year , aud is the Representative of the Grand Lodge of Missouri" near the Grand Lodge of New York . Bro . Simmons is a member of Jerusalem Chapter , No . 8 , R . A . M ., and of Coeur de Lion Commandery , No . 6 , K . T ., of which he is a Past Eminent Commander . Ho is also a member of tho Board of Education . We congratulate our brethren of New York upon tho harmonious and gratifying result of thoir Annual Grand Communication .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

We do not hold oiirselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents . All Letters must hear the name anl address of the Writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications .

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS . To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Allow mo space to express my astonishment with the want of experience displayed by several writers in yonr paper on tho snbject of nsnal or frequent changes iu Grand Officers . I will admit the duties of the Grand Treasurer are , of necessity , mainly discharged by tho Grand Secretary and his

assistants ; and , therefore , the fortunate holder of tho office requires no special qualification beyond the esteem and confidence of the Craft . Ifc is , however , very different in the case of tho Grand Registrar , Secretary , the Director of Ceremonies , each of whose duties can only be usefully ancl satisfactorily performed by an experienced Brother possessing special aptitude ancl ability .

I sincerely wish brethren wonld folly consider every side of the question before venturing to publish their opinions to the Craft at large . I am , Dear Sir , Yours faithfully , 25 th Juno 1883 . HENRY SMITH P . M . 387 .

THE BOYS' SCHOOL FESTIVAL . To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —My attention has been directed to a very great inaccuracy iu your published statement of the amount of my list , as Steward representing the Corinthian Lodge , No . 1208 , on the occasion of the late Festival of the R . M . I . B . I am credited with £ 31 10 s only , which is considerably less than half the sum that

I had tho pleasure to announce at our Lodge meeting on the preceding Monday , as tho total amount of subscriptions and donations paid and promised by tho Lodge and its members . If similar errors are made in tho lists of other Stewards of Lodges in Kent , the £ 130 required to bring the contribution of our Province up to the magnificent one of East Lancashire would have been forthcoming . To those who have made this error I leave the duty of correcting it

, although fully persnaded that the correction will not meefc the eyes of numbers who have read the first statement , and this fact causes me some natural annoyance , as I consider that the brethren of my Lodgo very generously answered the appeal made to them , I am , Dear Sir and Brother , Fraternally yours , W . A . SMEETH , P . M . 1208 , P . P . G . A . P . Kent .