The Masonic Mirror.

THE COLONIAL COMMITTEE . Bro , Colonel Burlton moved that this report be adopted , and spoke as follows : u I regret that this duty should not have fallen upon some one more capable of doing justice to It than I am ; but though I may be somewhat plain in my speech , I hope you will excuse me and allow me to speak with that frankness which becomes one gentleman towards another . I shall say nothing disrespectful to you , Most Worshipful Sir , or to the high situation which you hold . I shall say

nothing to disturb the harmony of this meeting , or of the Craft , which I deeply regret to say has been seriously disturbed of late . In rising to propose the adoption of this report , I am hound to do so because your lordship has summoned us here to do it , and it seems to me a question which has already been decided in a regular Grand Lodge ( applause ) , and I do hope your lordship will allow me temperately to argue this point . " ( Hear , hear ) .

The Grand Master : " I cannot allow you to do so , and I do hope that Grand Lodge will support me in endeavouring to do my duty in expounding the law to the best of my ability , and I shall not submit , after so expounding the law , to have my decision controverted on the present occasion . I must beg the worthy Brother therefore to confine himself to the question of the report , which is the

only question before Grand Lodge , and not to the law which I have laid down . ( Applause . ) Bro . Burlton : "The question is , who has the power to make the laws of Ereemasonry ? ( Hear , hear , and loud applause . ) It is distinctly stated that Grand Lodge alone has the inherent power of enacting laws . You will allow me to read a clause . "

Bro . Bobie : " Most Worshipful Sir , I rise to order . " Bro . Burlton read from the Book of Constitutions : "The Grand Lodge alone has the inherent power of enacting laws and regulations for the government of the Craft , and of altering , repealing , and abrogating them , always taking care that the ancient land-marks of the Order be preserved . The Grand Lodge

has also the power of investigating , regulating , and deciding all matters relative to the Craft or to particular Lodges , or to individual Brothers , which it may exercise either of itself or by such delegated authority as , in its wisdom and discretion , it may appoint ; but in the Grand Lodge alone resides the power of erasing Lodges and expelling Brethren from the Craft , a power which it does not delegate to anv subordinate authority in England . ' I respectfully

submit that the Grand Lodge alone has the power to do all this , and enact these laws and regulations for the government of the whole Craft . It is not , therefore , unreasonable for us to presume that we have the power of adjourning from one day to the other . There is no single byedaw which says that Grand Lodge has not such power , and under these circumstances I contend that it has the power — ( applause)—and I think , Most Worshipful Sir - - " Bro . Havers : "I rise to order . " ( Hisses . ) , The Grand Master gave the Brother permission to speak , and Bro . Havers proceeded . " Brethren , I could hardly imagine that you could have stopped me in this way . ( Laughter . ) 1 have but one object in view , and so long as the Grand Master rules that I am in order I shall go on—( oh , and hear , hear )—and I have now to submit to your lordship , that the . Brother who has just spoken was out of

order , because you have justly ruled that you have power to state what is the law , and that you will not allow your decision to be discussed . " ( Question . ) The Grand Master : " The Brother was speaking to order with my permission , and I hope the Brethren \ ull know themselves better than to interrupt with cries of f Question , question , ' under audi circumstances . " ( Applause and laughter . )

Bro : Havers then continued : "No one , " he said , " can doubt that ( J rand Lodge has the power inherent . ( Loud cries of 'Question , question , ' and hisses . ) Why , surely , we are not to submit here to tyranny like this , which is greater than has ever been heard of , " ( Laughter , ) Bro . Binckes : u I rise to order . " ( Applause . ) Bro , Ha vow : u Grand Lodge , I was going to say , h a ; j the power to al ' er ib .