Wilmington expositor. (Wilmington, Del.) 1831-18??, 1832-03-02

that no direct evidence was or could be offered
to the Commttee-that being subject for thu
exercise OF Legislative, rather than of Judicial
investigation; but it is such an one as may well
nneritsome attention, since it presents an anom-
faly in our legislature, for it cannot be denied
that all the masonic chartered bodies in this
State, have hitherto had the power, and acted
on the principle of concealing from the legisla-
iture, as well as all others, the form and mode
OF admission to their privileges-what these
privileges were--what oaths or obligations were
Imposed on them--er by whom, and with what
ceremonies, those oaths were Administered.
And what is no less singular, they still assert
this unprecedented power, in Withholding from
the Committee--who were acting directly in
behalf and by order of the Assembly--all infor-
nation on these important points, relating to
what they choose to consider the secrets OF
their order, except such as they please, volunta.
irily to communicate respecting their oaths and
obligations, and by majority of the acting
Committee have been fully sustained in these
lpretensions. While, as is well known to this
Assembly, in all other charters granted by
them, especial care is taken to prescribe all
modes of operation, fix a precise Irritation to
the powers granted, define all the duties, and
when oaths are necessary, declare by whom,
and in what form they shall be administered.
6. In relation to the sixth charge, that of
lmisapplying their funds, the evidence, so far
as the want of any inspection of their books,
and great aversion on the part of witnesses
to testify to particulars, would enable the Com
mittee to judge, was OF nature TO satisfy the
mind, that the charitable donations of lodges,
instead of constituting the chief article of their
disbursements. were but of second considera-
ion among them, and were greatly overbalanc-
led by the sums appropriated to the erection and
Establishment of mosonic halls--the purchase
/ of useless and frivolous personal decorations,
and unnecessary festivities and parades. The
1object of expense thus far enumerated. may
safely be considered as misapplications offunds
'lif such funds were collected under sanction of
la legislative charter, for purposes of charity
and benevolence merely, but it seemed to be
considered that little, if any Of such sums,
: went directly out of this State. 1t however,
was directly proved and admitted that there
1 were masonic bodies in this State, composing
nearly if not quite all the degrees above that Of
master mason, whose masonic authority was
: derived from other States; and which are un-
: der oaths of allegiance, submission conform.
lily to higher masonic bodies in those States
land paw, or have paid them fees as well as feal
flty--but for the reasons above stated, it is i'm.
slpossibe for the undersigned to be as specific OF
: this point as its nature and importance woult
seem TO require.
In regard to the amount or distribution o
e the funds of any of these Corporations, it i
j. unknown to the undersigned, that the Commit
c tee have in any instance attempted to ascertain
e the facts either by an inspection of the CorPo
r ration Books or any examination of witnesses
|, but the undersigned has reason to believe tina
j. the funds are of very considerable amount,
n how far these funds have been misapplied O
/, diverted to other than charitable purposes, Q
Ito learn the amount of their charitable disburse
is ments.
i Z. For these among other reasons, togethe
" with the express terms of the oaths, as prove
j lbefore the Committee, and the facts sworn e
e Iby nearly everv witness and denied by non
It. that these oaths. particularly the penalties al
m no where explained to mean any thing but the
to plain import as they read, the undersigned col
ldl sders the seventh allegation above cited, full
Established, viz; that Illegal oaths are taken
\. the members of those Corporations-tha the
&C. Iconsider those oaths binding-that they are a,
a. lministered unlawfully--that the penalties
IN shewn in every case, but one, (the Past Ma
70 ter's degree) is death) which penalties are +
a. where explained to mean expulsion or ar
he thing but death; expulsion being the py
To nishment for violating the bye-laws or disclo
On ing the tranaction of the lodge-roonf, neitht
of which embrace the oaths. ceremonies an
&c secrets of masonry. In this view, the Chai
IL man conceded with the undersigned during IL
81 examination.
i. The 9Th allegation above specified was SO fl
i proved or admitted in the investigation by tn
10 Committee, as to show that masons considere
hs themselves bound to favor brother masol
A. knowing him to be such; but in what case
he and to what extent the practice prevails, w:
ts not very clearly oehnea oy any Vi .ne wi'hess'
es examined. but their oohgatloh 70 ooey M
VS. sonic signs and summons iuiiy es'aohsheo, ,,
it, the nature OF these Signs oelng part OF u
h, secrets which adhering masons did not choo:
h. to tlisclose---and did not disclose; they wei
however, admitted to be, and the undersigne