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Article THE FREEMASONS' QUARTERLY REVIEW. ← Page 7 of 10 →
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The Freemasons' Quarterly Review.
lication is denounced for is , that it gives a report of the proceedings here , which is not authorized by the Grand Master , and which , for that reason , is unconstitutional . Moreover , an attempt to give a report of the proceedings without auihority is contrary to the OB . of every Mason before he enters this Lodge ; and therefore I hope in whatever speeches may be made , thc speakers will adhere strictly as to whether it is right that an unauthorized publication should go forth . AV . Brother Dr . LANE begged to call the attention of Grand Lodge to one thing of which he could speak from experience , viz ., the difficulty of one person being
able to give a lengthened and at tho same time a perfectly accurate report . They should take into consideration the difficulty a reporter undergoes in taking down a report ; and should an inaccuracy occur , it should not be thought to have been wilfully made . AV . Brother FAUMSL was only anxious to bring the debate back to its original channel , and if , on everything that was to proceed from Grand Lodge , the Grand Master must have the power of a veto , there would seem to be some objection as to the proposed report . If there was " to be a reporter present to take notes , he
hoped he ( the reporter ) would be left to himself , and his report not subject to the power of a veto , more particularly as he thought the Grand Master would like to be free from any suspicion of giving a colour to the reports . The M . W . the GRAND MASTER . —I think it necessary to say a few words in reply to the Brother who has just spoken , and must beg to assure him that the point he has referred to has not escaped me . I stated to the Grand Lodge that what I wished for was an authorized publication , which should be as short and concise as possible to give a correct idea of what takes place . I have considered
how this is to be done . The law says no publication shall be considered legal unless authorized hy the Grand Master , and it follows therefore that the Grand Master is the only person who can give that authority . I am fully aware of the responsibility which attaches to me and the possibility of being accused of being partial , and am also fully aware that an authorized publication may not give
satisfaction to all parties ; but difficult as the duty may he , it is necessary for the benefit of the Craft , and I am therefore willing to bear the responsibility ( hear , hear ) , and I do so with a firm belief that it will tend to the benefit of the Craft , and also because , if I do not do my duty , the Grand Lodge have it in their own hands , and can elect another Graud Master . I have seen the necessity of the step I have taken , and am prepared to stand the responsibility ( hear , hear , and cheers ) . Brother Fox MAULE , —Had any Brother been anxious to address Grand Lodge
I would have given way , and if there exists the impression in any Brother ' s mind that I am actuated by any other motive than good to the Craft , that Brother is very much mistaken . I find it written in the Book of Constitutions that " no Brother shall presume to print or publish , or cause to be printed or published , the proceedings of any Lodge or any part thereof , or the names of the persons present at such Lodge , without tho direction of the Grand Master or Provincial Grand Master , under pain of being expelled from the Order . " This is the law laid down in our Book of Constitutions ; and turning to the December number of the " Freemasons' Quarterly Review , " at p . 446 I find under the head of Masonic Intelligence , " Quarterly Communication , December 2 nd , 1846 , present , " & c . & c . and the whole of the details of Grand Lodge shortly and somewhat correctly given
but in so doing it adds portions to one and omits portions of another Brother ' s speech . This is not confirmed by the Grand Master , and yet the thing is so done as to give it the appearance of some authority , and thus clothes with a semblance of authority other matter in that publication . Now , whether in this or any other publication , none are authorized to publish the proceedings of Grand Lodge without the sanction of the Grand Master . When the proposed reports are presented to the public , then there will he nothing to deter them from putting such reports in any other publication , and commenting on them as they please . Thus , then , have I done what I consider sufficient to show that there has been a breach of privilege . In doing so it might have been necessary for me to have asked for a
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Quarterly Review.
lication is denounced for is , that it gives a report of the proceedings here , which is not authorized by the Grand Master , and which , for that reason , is unconstitutional . Moreover , an attempt to give a report of the proceedings without auihority is contrary to the OB . of every Mason before he enters this Lodge ; and therefore I hope in whatever speeches may be made , thc speakers will adhere strictly as to whether it is right that an unauthorized publication should go forth . AV . Brother Dr . LANE begged to call the attention of Grand Lodge to one thing of which he could speak from experience , viz ., the difficulty of one person being
able to give a lengthened and at tho same time a perfectly accurate report . They should take into consideration the difficulty a reporter undergoes in taking down a report ; and should an inaccuracy occur , it should not be thought to have been wilfully made . AV . Brother FAUMSL was only anxious to bring the debate back to its original channel , and if , on everything that was to proceed from Grand Lodge , the Grand Master must have the power of a veto , there would seem to be some objection as to the proposed report . If there was " to be a reporter present to take notes , he
hoped he ( the reporter ) would be left to himself , and his report not subject to the power of a veto , more particularly as he thought the Grand Master would like to be free from any suspicion of giving a colour to the reports . The M . W . the GRAND MASTER . —I think it necessary to say a few words in reply to the Brother who has just spoken , and must beg to assure him that the point he has referred to has not escaped me . I stated to the Grand Lodge that what I wished for was an authorized publication , which should be as short and concise as possible to give a correct idea of what takes place . I have considered
how this is to be done . The law says no publication shall be considered legal unless authorized hy the Grand Master , and it follows therefore that the Grand Master is the only person who can give that authority . I am fully aware of the responsibility which attaches to me and the possibility of being accused of being partial , and am also fully aware that an authorized publication may not give
satisfaction to all parties ; but difficult as the duty may he , it is necessary for the benefit of the Craft , and I am therefore willing to bear the responsibility ( hear , hear ) , and I do so with a firm belief that it will tend to the benefit of the Craft , and also because , if I do not do my duty , the Grand Lodge have it in their own hands , and can elect another Graud Master . I have seen the necessity of the step I have taken , and am prepared to stand the responsibility ( hear , hear , and cheers ) . Brother Fox MAULE , —Had any Brother been anxious to address Grand Lodge
I would have given way , and if there exists the impression in any Brother ' s mind that I am actuated by any other motive than good to the Craft , that Brother is very much mistaken . I find it written in the Book of Constitutions that " no Brother shall presume to print or publish , or cause to be printed or published , the proceedings of any Lodge or any part thereof , or the names of the persons present at such Lodge , without tho direction of the Grand Master or Provincial Grand Master , under pain of being expelled from the Order . " This is the law laid down in our Book of Constitutions ; and turning to the December number of the " Freemasons' Quarterly Review , " at p . 446 I find under the head of Masonic Intelligence , " Quarterly Communication , December 2 nd , 1846 , present , " & c . & c . and the whole of the details of Grand Lodge shortly and somewhat correctly given
but in so doing it adds portions to one and omits portions of another Brother ' s speech . This is not confirmed by the Grand Master , and yet the thing is so done as to give it the appearance of some authority , and thus clothes with a semblance of authority other matter in that publication . Now , whether in this or any other publication , none are authorized to publish the proceedings of Grand Lodge without the sanction of the Grand Master . When the proposed reports are presented to the public , then there will he nothing to deter them from putting such reports in any other publication , and commenting on them as they please . Thus , then , have I done what I consider sufficient to show that there has been a breach of privilege . In doing so it might have been necessary for me to have asked for a