The Masonic Mirror.

Ero . Hearne hero remarked that the Jf . AA * . Grand JIaster had that night ruled that no part of the minutes could be separately confirmed or rejected , and was proceeding to found some argument upon the rule , when the JI . AV . Grand JIaster interposed and said , lie had never laid down any such rule . Ii lie bad not been understood he was perfectly willing to state his opinion over again ( " JNo , no ! " ) After a few ivords of exjilauation from Bro . Rev . G . R . Portal , in which he stated his information was founded on a communication containing the resolutions passed

at a meeting of the Grand Lodge of Canada , signed by Bro , Harington , P . Prov . G . M . for Quebec , the JI . AA . Grand JIaster put the amendment of Bro . Portal to the vote , and declared it lost by a large majority—an announcement which was received with loud cheers .

THE GRAND LODGE rROl'ERTY . Bro . AVhitmore then moved another amendment to the effect that the resolutions rcferringback the report of theBoard of GeneralPurposes upon taveriiaccoinmodation , and allowing them to expend £ 300 in prizes for plans and other expenses for the proposed arrangements , should not be confirmed . He was willing to admit that , as a general rule it was not expedient to interfere with the confirmation of resolutions which had been fully deliberated uponbut there were occasions , and that was one

, of them , when it might be desirable for Grand Lodge to reconsider its determination . That Grand Lodge might understand and appreciate his motives it ivould bo necessary for him to call their attention to some of their proceedings in December last . It ivould be in the recollection of some of the Brethren present that the resolutions iu question were not proposed until a late hour of the evening ; and indeed the President of the Board of General Purposes in moving them himself , apologised for tho lateness of tho hour at which he brought them forward . It

would also be in the recollection of the Brethren that when he ( Bro . AVhitmore ) , moved , as an amendment to the second resolution referring the subject back to the Board of General Purposes , that it should be referred back to the Board of twelve members , six to be nominated by the Board of General Purposes , and six by Grand Lodge . That amendment was proposed in perfect accordance with a resolution of his own , carried at a former meeting of Grand Lodge and confirmed not two hours before , in which it was declared lawful for any Brother to propose , ivithout previous notice , any amendment having distinct reference to the business before them . It could not be denied that his amendment had distinct reference to the resolution which he moved , but the JI . AV . Grand Master was

pleased , with the advice of tho dais , and after a loss of a quarter of an hour spent in consultation , to decide that it was not competent for him to move that amendment . He ( Bro . AVhitmore ) had upon that occasion stated , that although he bowed to the decision of the JI . AA . Grand JIaster , he at the same time protested against its injustice , and ho now stood forward to defend the course he had taken , aud to repeat the expression of his opinion that the decision was not a just one ( murmurs of disapprobation ) . AVhen he said it was not a just decision , he disclaimed any intention of being offensivebut it was riht they should call things b

, g y their proper names . He had to urge against that decision two objections . The first was that it was inexpedient to refer so important a matter as that mentioned in tho fovmev resolution to a fluctuating body like the Board o £ General Purposes , and the second was , that inasmuch as his amendment had been made in accordance with JIasonie law , he had by reason of tho JI . AV . Grand JIaster not putting it , been deprived of his right as an independent member of Grand Lodge . The Jlost AVorshipful Grand JIaster had said that it was incompetent for

him to move his amendment , because it trenched upon the functions of the Board of General Purposes . The rule of the Book of Constitutions which gave the Board of General Purposes the direction of every thing relating to the buildings and furniture of Grand Lodge , stated that no extraordinary expense of any kind should be incurred without the previous sanction of Grand Lodge . That last sentence justified his amendment , as it showed that Grand Lodge had the power to direct the Board of General Purposes . YVas it not then very extraordinary , that on the very first occasion on which he proposed to act upon the law of Grand Lodge in reference to amendments having a direct bearing upon the business before