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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
f \ Ve do net hold ouTselvesresponsible IOT , or even as approving eif , ihe opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . —ED . 1 ARE LADIES AND LEWISES ( BEING MINORS )
ENTITLED TO VOTE ? To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — On the 6 th insl . there appeared in the columns of your publication a letter from myself , commenting on Ihe above question and arguing that the existing Bye-laws did not qualify ladies or lewises being minors to vote as
members oE the General Committee , and drawing particular attention to Bye-law XXXVII ., which , as I conceived , limited the right to vote at an election to " initiated brethren . " In the same issue you also published a copy of the Grand Registrar ' s opinion upon the question , such opinion having been requested by the General Committee holden on the 27 th ult . According to the Grand Registrar ' s ruling
" ladies should be permitted to vote . " This opinion was preceded in the Freemason by a letter from Bro . Creaton , who , as chairman of the last General Committee meeting , undertook to give publicity to the Grand Registrar ' s opinion through its pages . In that communication the subscribers are informed that " both ladies and lewises being minors , can legally vote on the 1 ith inst . "
This opinion , although contrary to what , I am led to believe , was the general expectation of the Craft , is one which the Chairman of the day will doubtless act upon , and must be submitted to by the subscribers . It may be considered as an act of presumption on my part to express dissent from the conclusion anived at by the Granel Registrar ; I nevertheless venture , with much
respect , to maintain that the interpretation given to Law LXXI . by the Grand Registrar is not that which the framers intended when they prepared the bye . laws now in force , nor , I think , was it the idea entertained by the Committee when they accepted anel confirmed them . His true that much ambiguity is traceable in the Bye-laws , and such being the case , the keynote struck by their framers
and acceptors should , 111 my view , have been the one guiding to their interpretation . Is it absolutely certain that Bye-law LXXI . legalises the votes of ladies , & c ? The words quoted by the learned Grand Registrar arc significant and contain a word which I venture to suggest scarcely warrants the conclusion he has arrived at . Ihc voting by that bye-law is declared
to be by balloting papers , to be distributed to every qualified Member present . To whom does this word qualified refer ? Clearly not to the members generally then present , as without the pecuniary qualification they could not have taken part in the proceedings of the meeting . May it not refer to the extra and ultra qualification mentioned in Bye-law XXXVII ., to which
Byelaw LXXI . is a sequence , namely , that of being a brother ; or , in other words , docs it not specify the panicular members of the General Committee , in whom the privilege of voting at the election or removal of a Secretary is vested ? Further , what meaning is to be put upon the words of the Granel Registrar— "I think therefore the ladies should be
permitted tovott ? " Is it intended to legalise the votes of ladies , being minors , and if so by whomaic they to vote ? It is a notion uncommonly prevalent , amongst the community at large , that minors are not by law enabled to vote ; but this , after all , may beonly a legal fiction . Still , it is very desirable to know the minimum age at which laelies may exercise the function of electors . Is it to be fixed at 3
years when they are supposed by omnibus authorities to cease to be " children in arms ? " or at 7 , when they are supposed to terminate childhood ? or at 12 , beyond which time they cannot travel at half fares ? One would like to be made acquainted with this interesting detail , as much awkwardness might aiise from a burly brother presenting himself , laden , mayhap , with twin voters ( unable of themselves to
retire gracefully from the scene ) and being compelled to retrace his steps , thus burthened , from the presence of the Chairman owing to the infant voters being below the minimum age . The letter of Bro . Creaton is woithy of comment as expressing his reading of the Grand Registrar ' s opinion . He states boldly that the opinion justifies voting by " ladies
and by lewises being minors . 1 do not myself gather so much from the opinion j but it is doubtless assumcel from the conclusion arrived at by the Grand Registrar , viz ., that " ladies should be permitted to vote , " and as he does not limit the piivilege to such ladies as have attained their majority or been married , so by parity of reasoning Bro . Creaton takes it for granted that young lords of the creation
are eejually entitled . But what a melancholy reflection does all this cast on Masonry . The Craft is known to be a matier of frequent comment by the outer world . It is oftentimes termed child's play , it is sometimes looked upon as but the cultivation of man-millinery , and not rarely Masons ate supposed to be sadly adelictcd to gaslronomical vices . These
insinuations have hitherto been parried by a reference to the ultimate good effected by the Order through the agency of its charitable institutions , but who amongst us will hereafter be able to combat the firstly-named challenge when it ran he alleged that an adult member of the General Committee , when attending a meeting , might be
supported on the right and on the left by Life Governors of such tender years that guaidians would become an absolute necessity . The farcical aspect of the question may be thus portrayed . One donor , with 50 guineas at command , pays it to one or other of our charitable institutions , and becomes a Vice-President , with ten votes at each election
Original Correspondence.
for children , and one vote as a General Committeeman . Another , with a similar plethora of cash , invests it by becoming himself a Life Governor at an expense of 10 guineas , with two votes at each election for children , and one vote as a Committeeman , the remainder he pays to the Institution in the names of eight ladies or lewises being minors , and obtains thereby sixteen votes
at each election for children anil eight votes at General Committee meetings . A Vice-Patron who pays one hundred guineas has one vote as a Committeeman ; a child in petticoats , in whose name five guineas have been paid , has the same privilege . One brother has enriched our charities to an unexampled extent ; his payments have been more than live hundred-fold the sum paid in the name of the juvenile Life Governor , and vet
both donors are placed on the same level as regards their supposed capabilities of administering the affairs of the Institution . I should indeed be grieved at this review were I not very hopeful that an altered series of bye-laws will be the outcome of this " race for office . " Yours faithfully and fraternally , EDWARD COX . 102 , Chancery-lane , July ioth , 187 S .
THE ELECTION OF SECRETARY ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS . To Ihe Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In my former letter , published" in your paper of the Oth inst ., I neither suggested nor imputed a motive . Bro . Monckton ' s allegation that I hail done so is , as he
says , " scarcely nice , " though I do not admire the euphony of the expression . I dtrived my knowledge of the Grand Registrar ' s avowed interest in Bro . Storr ' s behalf from the printed list issued by that candidate . I was son ) - to see the Masonic executive so paraded , and deemed the publication of their offices to be scarcely in accordance with gooel tasle . No one , I imagine , woulel think of doubting the
sincerity of Bro . Moncktoi ) . in " early supporting " the cause of Bro . Storr , the only dubious feeling engendered is whether Bro . Moncktun , as the President of the Board of General Purposes , has not permitted his zeal to outrun his discretion . It is possible for a . man to be a too " active partisan . " Faithfully and fraternally yours , D . D . July 15 th , 1878 .
To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — The excitement of the election being over , the calm that has supervened brings the proverbial wisdom that is at once the easiest and the most useless . Beali possidentis , rcmarkeil Bismarck on a recent occasion ; possession is nine points in law , is an olel English saying . Had
the thought occurred to the ilcfcaled candidates or their friends and advisers much anxiety ami considerable expense might have been spared . The overwhelming majority of Bro . Hedges is thus accounted for ; the high influence and prestige of Bros . Storr anil Matier no doubt account for the large number of votes polled for them ; but then comes , longus inlcrvaliusAhe comparatively few given
for the other candidates . It is , however , remaikable , that ( with one exception ) the numbers polled for each arc singularly uniform . So far , however , as my worthy Bro . Worrell is concerned , in whose candidature I took active interest , I have reason to know that a large number of his friends who promised their votes failed to enter an appearance—he had also considerable influence in the country ,
which would not have failed to have told on the result if voting papers had been issued . This probably to a certain extent might be the ease with the other unsuccessful candidates ; if so , they have the consolation I have tendered to my friend , that comparatively small though the numbers voting for them may be , it shows that , barring exceptional circumstances and influence , they uniformly possess the
esteem of the Craft , and that the only dilhculty appears to have been the cinharrns du choi . r . So far as I could gather at the poll and elsewhere , your observations about the inadvisability of expecting the worihy Secretaries to our charities to wear themselves out by eating so many ilinneis appear to meet wilh general acceptance among the Craft , albeit the time may not
have yet conic when lodges anil chapters will do their duty 1 o ihe charities unaided by the eloquence of the Secretaries . It occurred to me while watching the excitement of the poll , and while using all my influence to catch voles for my much respected protege 1 , as affairs stand at present , and until some better order is taken in this matter , that a candidate will have to qualify as they
do at the bar by eating so many elmncrs . Only fancy the time coming when " sandwich men " parade up and down at election time calling on electors to vote for Bro . Demosthenes Boanerges the eloquent , or for Bro . Hercules Bon Vivant warranted to dine from home every night , distance no object I Seriously , I trust with you that the time may come
when lodges and chapters will not require the stimulus that at present is deemed necessary , but let charity precede dining . Yours fraternally , G . J . KAIN . United Service Institution , S . W .
To Ihc Editor if the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Although in ) self a thorough supporter of the successful candidate at the recent election , I have no desire to sing a hymn of victory or to write a single word in disparagement of these who were defeated by Bro . Hedges . I should like , however , to call the attention of my brother
Original Correspondence.
Masons to the very great exertions displayed by a brother in connection with that event , and without which , in my opinion , the result might possibly ( I had nearly written probably ) been different . 1 allude to the VI on . Sec . of Bro . Hedges ' s Committee , Bro . Alfred Tisley , No . 8 , and Sec . 1389 . From first to last he worked with unflagging spirit and indomitable perseverance—sparing no
labourleaving absolutely no stone unturned—in order that the end he had so much at heart might be achieved . Many of your readers are aware of the important official position occupied by Bro . Tisley , and of the onerous and engrossing duties inseparable from such an appointment , but he managed , in spite of all , to find time for an almost incredible amount of labour . Forms and circulars were sent
out in thousands . Letters at the rate of 50 a-day received and answered . Fresh Committeemen added day by day till that body had reached from 31 on May 6 th , to 178 on July 1 ith . By these means the sterling merits of Bro . Hedges were brought well home to the electors ; and Bro . Tisley had his reward at last in seeing him returned at
the head of the poll . Now that the heat of the battle is over I am sure those brethren who felt it their duty to support a rival candidate will most readily admit ( I can hardly ask them to say the best , but ) that a thoroughly good man has won . I remain , dear Sir , yours very truly , P . M . OF TWO LODGES .
To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I am much pleased to note the fraternal spirit in which the election of Bro . Hedges as Secretary R . M . I , for Girls has been received , especially by Bro . Storr , anil the other canelidates for the office . I entirely concur with the spirit of the V . W . Bro . J . B . Monckton ' s letter , and trust with him that " wc shall all loyally support" the new
Secretary , and unite with him 111 the hope that " the best man for the Institution " has been chosen . In order that Bro , Hedges may have the hearty support of all concerned in the welfare of the " Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , " with which our dear and lamented friend , Bro . Little , was connected , 1 think the most effective plan would be to join heartily in making the next festival a great success . Yours fraternally , WILLIAM JAMES HUGHAN , Truro , 13 th July , 18 7 S . P . G . D .
To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In the hurry , I presume , and on account of the late hour at which my advertisement was received , two or three errors have crept in which 1 should feel obliged if you will rectify . My short address should read as follows :
" 1 beg lo tender to you my heartfelt thanks for the most honourable position in which your kind votes have placed me , anel I beg also to assure you that the result of this day will never be crascel from my memory . I trust by my earnest anel assiduous labours to merit your continueel confidence and to advance the best interests of a school so dear to us all . I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , F . R . W . HEDGES . Sec . R . M . I . G .
MASONIC ELECTIONS . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — A very important step has been taken in the right direction—thanks to the energy and determination of Bro . Colonel Creaton—in the recent appointment of the Secretary to the Girls' School ; which has satisfactorily
proved , that a contested election—even in Freemasonrymay be honestly conducted ; that the issue of ballot papers can be supervised ; that tampering with the ballot boxes is prcventible ; that the destruction of adverse voting papers is not desirable ; that the manufacture of fictitious votes is unnecessary ; that the might of self-elected cliquism can be beaten by right ; that a truthful scrutiny is more
welcome and less troublesome than a false one ; and that courtesy is more powerful than official arrogance . So grand a result of Ihe first attempt at reform will surely be sufficient to secure such an amendment of existing regulations as will effectually prevent a repetition of recent scandals . Yours faithfully and fraternally ; H .
VOTES FOR THE MASONIC INSTITUTIONS . To the Editor oj the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I sincerely trust that neither you nor the brethren at large will think me presumptuous , or out of place if I venture to call their attention to the injustice and hardship which too often accrue by an indiscriminate promise of
their votes , without sufficiently acquainting themselves with the merits of the case they are askeel to support . I would urge them not to give their votes blindfold and so abuse the privileges they have obtained by their liberal support of the Masonic Charities . If they are too indolent , or too much taken up with their daijy avocations , let them hand their individual votes over to the loelge of their election ,
anel they may rest assured , when a body of men arc met together for that specific purpose , or that they have a special case brought before them which they will not have taken up without duly considering its merits , that their votes will obtain their legitimate use , viz ., to help those whose claims , or the merits of their forbears or fathers
have justly secured for them . It would be placing little reliance indeed upon the intelligence of those for whom these few remarks are intended , if I weic to dilate upon the many cases of injustice caused by indiscriminate voting , but I will , if this meets wilh your approval , enter into further details , and show what ihc provinces have done by amalgamating and trusting to
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
f \ Ve do net hold ouTselvesresponsible IOT , or even as approving eif , ihe opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . —ED . 1 ARE LADIES AND LEWISES ( BEING MINORS )
ENTITLED TO VOTE ? To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — On the 6 th insl . there appeared in the columns of your publication a letter from myself , commenting on Ihe above question and arguing that the existing Bye-laws did not qualify ladies or lewises being minors to vote as
members oE the General Committee , and drawing particular attention to Bye-law XXXVII ., which , as I conceived , limited the right to vote at an election to " initiated brethren . " In the same issue you also published a copy of the Grand Registrar ' s opinion upon the question , such opinion having been requested by the General Committee holden on the 27 th ult . According to the Grand Registrar ' s ruling
" ladies should be permitted to vote . " This opinion was preceded in the Freemason by a letter from Bro . Creaton , who , as chairman of the last General Committee meeting , undertook to give publicity to the Grand Registrar ' s opinion through its pages . In that communication the subscribers are informed that " both ladies and lewises being minors , can legally vote on the 1 ith inst . "
This opinion , although contrary to what , I am led to believe , was the general expectation of the Craft , is one which the Chairman of the day will doubtless act upon , and must be submitted to by the subscribers . It may be considered as an act of presumption on my part to express dissent from the conclusion anived at by the Granel Registrar ; I nevertheless venture , with much
respect , to maintain that the interpretation given to Law LXXI . by the Grand Registrar is not that which the framers intended when they prepared the bye . laws now in force , nor , I think , was it the idea entertained by the Committee when they accepted anel confirmed them . His true that much ambiguity is traceable in the Bye-laws , and such being the case , the keynote struck by their framers
and acceptors should , 111 my view , have been the one guiding to their interpretation . Is it absolutely certain that Bye-law LXXI . legalises the votes of ladies , & c ? The words quoted by the learned Grand Registrar arc significant and contain a word which I venture to suggest scarcely warrants the conclusion he has arrived at . Ihc voting by that bye-law is declared
to be by balloting papers , to be distributed to every qualified Member present . To whom does this word qualified refer ? Clearly not to the members generally then present , as without the pecuniary qualification they could not have taken part in the proceedings of the meeting . May it not refer to the extra and ultra qualification mentioned in Bye-law XXXVII ., to which
Byelaw LXXI . is a sequence , namely , that of being a brother ; or , in other words , docs it not specify the panicular members of the General Committee , in whom the privilege of voting at the election or removal of a Secretary is vested ? Further , what meaning is to be put upon the words of the Granel Registrar— "I think therefore the ladies should be
permitted tovott ? " Is it intended to legalise the votes of ladies , being minors , and if so by whomaic they to vote ? It is a notion uncommonly prevalent , amongst the community at large , that minors are not by law enabled to vote ; but this , after all , may beonly a legal fiction . Still , it is very desirable to know the minimum age at which laelies may exercise the function of electors . Is it to be fixed at 3
years when they are supposed by omnibus authorities to cease to be " children in arms ? " or at 7 , when they are supposed to terminate childhood ? or at 12 , beyond which time they cannot travel at half fares ? One would like to be made acquainted with this interesting detail , as much awkwardness might aiise from a burly brother presenting himself , laden , mayhap , with twin voters ( unable of themselves to
retire gracefully from the scene ) and being compelled to retrace his steps , thus burthened , from the presence of the Chairman owing to the infant voters being below the minimum age . The letter of Bro . Creaton is woithy of comment as expressing his reading of the Grand Registrar ' s opinion . He states boldly that the opinion justifies voting by " ladies
and by lewises being minors . 1 do not myself gather so much from the opinion j but it is doubtless assumcel from the conclusion arrived at by the Grand Registrar , viz ., that " ladies should be permitted to vote , " and as he does not limit the piivilege to such ladies as have attained their majority or been married , so by parity of reasoning Bro . Creaton takes it for granted that young lords of the creation
are eejually entitled . But what a melancholy reflection does all this cast on Masonry . The Craft is known to be a matier of frequent comment by the outer world . It is oftentimes termed child's play , it is sometimes looked upon as but the cultivation of man-millinery , and not rarely Masons ate supposed to be sadly adelictcd to gaslronomical vices . These
insinuations have hitherto been parried by a reference to the ultimate good effected by the Order through the agency of its charitable institutions , but who amongst us will hereafter be able to combat the firstly-named challenge when it ran he alleged that an adult member of the General Committee , when attending a meeting , might be
supported on the right and on the left by Life Governors of such tender years that guaidians would become an absolute necessity . The farcical aspect of the question may be thus portrayed . One donor , with 50 guineas at command , pays it to one or other of our charitable institutions , and becomes a Vice-President , with ten votes at each election
Original Correspondence.
for children , and one vote as a General Committeeman . Another , with a similar plethora of cash , invests it by becoming himself a Life Governor at an expense of 10 guineas , with two votes at each election for children , and one vote as a Committeeman , the remainder he pays to the Institution in the names of eight ladies or lewises being minors , and obtains thereby sixteen votes
at each election for children anil eight votes at General Committee meetings . A Vice-Patron who pays one hundred guineas has one vote as a Committeeman ; a child in petticoats , in whose name five guineas have been paid , has the same privilege . One brother has enriched our charities to an unexampled extent ; his payments have been more than live hundred-fold the sum paid in the name of the juvenile Life Governor , and vet
both donors are placed on the same level as regards their supposed capabilities of administering the affairs of the Institution . I should indeed be grieved at this review were I not very hopeful that an altered series of bye-laws will be the outcome of this " race for office . " Yours faithfully and fraternally , EDWARD COX . 102 , Chancery-lane , July ioth , 187 S .
THE ELECTION OF SECRETARY ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS . To Ihe Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In my former letter , published" in your paper of the Oth inst ., I neither suggested nor imputed a motive . Bro . Monckton ' s allegation that I hail done so is , as he
says , " scarcely nice , " though I do not admire the euphony of the expression . I dtrived my knowledge of the Grand Registrar ' s avowed interest in Bro . Storr ' s behalf from the printed list issued by that candidate . I was son ) - to see the Masonic executive so paraded , and deemed the publication of their offices to be scarcely in accordance with gooel tasle . No one , I imagine , woulel think of doubting the
sincerity of Bro . Moncktoi ) . in " early supporting " the cause of Bro . Storr , the only dubious feeling engendered is whether Bro . Moncktun , as the President of the Board of General Purposes , has not permitted his zeal to outrun his discretion . It is possible for a . man to be a too " active partisan . " Faithfully and fraternally yours , D . D . July 15 th , 1878 .
To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — The excitement of the election being over , the calm that has supervened brings the proverbial wisdom that is at once the easiest and the most useless . Beali possidentis , rcmarkeil Bismarck on a recent occasion ; possession is nine points in law , is an olel English saying . Had
the thought occurred to the ilcfcaled candidates or their friends and advisers much anxiety ami considerable expense might have been spared . The overwhelming majority of Bro . Hedges is thus accounted for ; the high influence and prestige of Bros . Storr anil Matier no doubt account for the large number of votes polled for them ; but then comes , longus inlcrvaliusAhe comparatively few given
for the other candidates . It is , however , remaikable , that ( with one exception ) the numbers polled for each arc singularly uniform . So far , however , as my worthy Bro . Worrell is concerned , in whose candidature I took active interest , I have reason to know that a large number of his friends who promised their votes failed to enter an appearance—he had also considerable influence in the country ,
which would not have failed to have told on the result if voting papers had been issued . This probably to a certain extent might be the ease with the other unsuccessful candidates ; if so , they have the consolation I have tendered to my friend , that comparatively small though the numbers voting for them may be , it shows that , barring exceptional circumstances and influence , they uniformly possess the
esteem of the Craft , and that the only dilhculty appears to have been the cinharrns du choi . r . So far as I could gather at the poll and elsewhere , your observations about the inadvisability of expecting the worihy Secretaries to our charities to wear themselves out by eating so many ilinneis appear to meet wilh general acceptance among the Craft , albeit the time may not
have yet conic when lodges anil chapters will do their duty 1 o ihe charities unaided by the eloquence of the Secretaries . It occurred to me while watching the excitement of the poll , and while using all my influence to catch voles for my much respected protege 1 , as affairs stand at present , and until some better order is taken in this matter , that a candidate will have to qualify as they
do at the bar by eating so many elmncrs . Only fancy the time coming when " sandwich men " parade up and down at election time calling on electors to vote for Bro . Demosthenes Boanerges the eloquent , or for Bro . Hercules Bon Vivant warranted to dine from home every night , distance no object I Seriously , I trust with you that the time may come
when lodges and chapters will not require the stimulus that at present is deemed necessary , but let charity precede dining . Yours fraternally , G . J . KAIN . United Service Institution , S . W .
To Ihc Editor if the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Although in ) self a thorough supporter of the successful candidate at the recent election , I have no desire to sing a hymn of victory or to write a single word in disparagement of these who were defeated by Bro . Hedges . I should like , however , to call the attention of my brother
Original Correspondence.
Masons to the very great exertions displayed by a brother in connection with that event , and without which , in my opinion , the result might possibly ( I had nearly written probably ) been different . 1 allude to the VI on . Sec . of Bro . Hedges ' s Committee , Bro . Alfred Tisley , No . 8 , and Sec . 1389 . From first to last he worked with unflagging spirit and indomitable perseverance—sparing no
labourleaving absolutely no stone unturned—in order that the end he had so much at heart might be achieved . Many of your readers are aware of the important official position occupied by Bro . Tisley , and of the onerous and engrossing duties inseparable from such an appointment , but he managed , in spite of all , to find time for an almost incredible amount of labour . Forms and circulars were sent
out in thousands . Letters at the rate of 50 a-day received and answered . Fresh Committeemen added day by day till that body had reached from 31 on May 6 th , to 178 on July 1 ith . By these means the sterling merits of Bro . Hedges were brought well home to the electors ; and Bro . Tisley had his reward at last in seeing him returned at
the head of the poll . Now that the heat of the battle is over I am sure those brethren who felt it their duty to support a rival candidate will most readily admit ( I can hardly ask them to say the best , but ) that a thoroughly good man has won . I remain , dear Sir , yours very truly , P . M . OF TWO LODGES .
To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I am much pleased to note the fraternal spirit in which the election of Bro . Hedges as Secretary R . M . I , for Girls has been received , especially by Bro . Storr , anil the other canelidates for the office . I entirely concur with the spirit of the V . W . Bro . J . B . Monckton ' s letter , and trust with him that " wc shall all loyally support" the new
Secretary , and unite with him 111 the hope that " the best man for the Institution " has been chosen . In order that Bro , Hedges may have the hearty support of all concerned in the welfare of the " Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , " with which our dear and lamented friend , Bro . Little , was connected , 1 think the most effective plan would be to join heartily in making the next festival a great success . Yours fraternally , WILLIAM JAMES HUGHAN , Truro , 13 th July , 18 7 S . P . G . D .
To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In the hurry , I presume , and on account of the late hour at which my advertisement was received , two or three errors have crept in which 1 should feel obliged if you will rectify . My short address should read as follows :
" 1 beg lo tender to you my heartfelt thanks for the most honourable position in which your kind votes have placed me , anel I beg also to assure you that the result of this day will never be crascel from my memory . I trust by my earnest anel assiduous labours to merit your continueel confidence and to advance the best interests of a school so dear to us all . I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , F . R . W . HEDGES . Sec . R . M . I . G .
MASONIC ELECTIONS . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — A very important step has been taken in the right direction—thanks to the energy and determination of Bro . Colonel Creaton—in the recent appointment of the Secretary to the Girls' School ; which has satisfactorily
proved , that a contested election—even in Freemasonrymay be honestly conducted ; that the issue of ballot papers can be supervised ; that tampering with the ballot boxes is prcventible ; that the destruction of adverse voting papers is not desirable ; that the manufacture of fictitious votes is unnecessary ; that the might of self-elected cliquism can be beaten by right ; that a truthful scrutiny is more
welcome and less troublesome than a false one ; and that courtesy is more powerful than official arrogance . So grand a result of Ihe first attempt at reform will surely be sufficient to secure such an amendment of existing regulations as will effectually prevent a repetition of recent scandals . Yours faithfully and fraternally ; H .
VOTES FOR THE MASONIC INSTITUTIONS . To the Editor oj the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I sincerely trust that neither you nor the brethren at large will think me presumptuous , or out of place if I venture to call their attention to the injustice and hardship which too often accrue by an indiscriminate promise of
their votes , without sufficiently acquainting themselves with the merits of the case they are askeel to support . I would urge them not to give their votes blindfold and so abuse the privileges they have obtained by their liberal support of the Masonic Charities . If they are too indolent , or too much taken up with their daijy avocations , let them hand their individual votes over to the loelge of their election ,
anel they may rest assured , when a body of men arc met together for that specific purpose , or that they have a special case brought before them which they will not have taken up without duly considering its merits , that their votes will obtain their legitimate use , viz ., to help those whose claims , or the merits of their forbears or fathers
have justly secured for them . It would be placing little reliance indeed upon the intelligence of those for whom these few remarks are intended , if I weic to dilate upon the many cases of injustice caused by indiscriminate voting , but I will , if this meets wilh your approval , enter into further details , and show what ihc provinces have done by amalgamating and trusting to