The mountain Democrat., 1864-08-20
IFrs@AAsAsR.s~alV1 1lsasg.B -.---.--
JurisdietI0n ~ GraAa EeAges.

JurisdicttOm - Gra@A keAges. ,
We have received IN encyclisl. lOtteR
from the Grand Master Of thu M.
Grand Lodge Of Washington Territory,
with reference to 9. e.epestIo0 Of iaFta adietion
t.s.s>. 14s AFIseti SStd Sv.s ssas: s:.,, 4t---~
Body and the Grand Lodge Of Oregon
The circular sets forth the facts In The
case and we are requested 10 give our
views upon the matter. TN complaint,
as set forth by the Grand Master in his
circular, is as follows:- a s'+.
Early in November, 1853, Tleft my
residence in Idaho Territory, to attend
the apnual communication Of the Grand
Lodge of Washington, Of which was
then and am now Grand Master. Pass.
ing through Portland, Oregon, learned
that Petition was in existence from the
requisite number Of Masons, for Dispen.
sation to form Lodge in the Boise Min
ing countryin Idaho Territory. It had
not yet been presented. called upon
M. W.. Bro. McCraken, and in anticipa-
tion OF bis receiving it, asserted the juris-
diction Of the Grand Lodge Of Washing
ton, and earnestly insisted that he should
take no action in the matter. l directed
the Representative Of Washington near
the Oregon Grand Lodge (Rev. Bro 7. H.
Pearne,) in the event of the Petition be-
ing formally presented, to protest in my
name, and for the Grand Lodge Of WASH
iDgtOn, against any action by the NV.
Grand Master of Oregon. In this condi.
ton of things, l started for Olympia.
"Without any further communications
between NJ. W.. Bro. McCraken and
myself upon the subject, I was not little
surprised when, about the middle Of Jan
uary, 1864, by an item in q newspaper, I
was advised that Bro. McCraken had is
sued the DiSpensation prayed for,and had,
by that act, established q subordinate
Lodge within the clearly defined jurisdic.
ton of the M. W.. Grand Lodge Of
Washington, and in defiance Of the ex-
press provision of the Constitution Of the
Grand Lodge Of OregOn-Art 8, Sec. Of
which the Constitution provides -
""The Grand Lodge may grantcharters
for new Lodges, to be located within the
limits of its jurisdiction, to competent
number of worthy Brethren, applying
therefor; provided, that no new Lage
shall be established by Dispensation, or
otherwise, excepting upon recommendR-
ton of the Lodge nearest, or most con-
Venient to the place of the location of the
proposed new Lodge"
As our opinion has been asked in the
matter,we must say that we can see moth
ing in the action of the Grand Master of
Oregon which is at all irregular, or con.
% L. -
true that the Territory Of Idaho was orig
inally part of Washington 'TerritOry,a and
Of course subject to that jurisdiction, but
when partition was made, the bounda.
ries fixed,a the Territorial Government
Of Idaho organized, the Grand Lodge of
Washington had no more jurisdiction over
it than the Grand Orient Of France, or the
Grand Lodge Of England, except so far as
the Lodges who held their charters or
Dispensations from that Body were con-
cerned. 1t is a well established principle
Of Masonic law, in the United States Of
America, that the jurisdiction Of Grand
Lodges is governed entirely by the politi-
cal boundaries of the State or Territory
in which thoy are located; and should there
be any State or Territory within whose
political bounds no organized Grand Body
Of Freemasons exists, and, should the re.
quisite number of Brethren reside therein,
and desire to form new Lodge, they have
perfect right to apply to any Grand
Lodge in existence for the authority to do
so, for it is common ground to all the
Grand Lodges of the world.
Take our own State for instance: When
tho Craud al 0f Galifonotn mar aa-~n
lied in 1850, there were five Lodges in
this State working under the authority Of
the Grand Lodges Of the District of Co.
lumbia, Connecticut, Missouri, New Jer-
sey and Louisiana. Now, if the position
taken by the Grand Master of Washing
ton is correct one, the first Grand Lodge
that issued Dispensation to a Lodge
in California might, with propriety, have
claimed exclusive jurisdiction and would
have had as just cause Of complaint against
any other Grand Lodge who granted q
Dispensation for the Territory, as has the
Grand Lodge Of Washington against that
Of Oregon.
We regret that any question should
have arisen calculated to disturb the har-
.moay heretofore existing between our
sister Grand Lodges, and we sincerely
hope that the Grand Master Of Washing
ton will, in answer to his circular, receive
such counsel and advice from those who
are recognized authority in Masonic mat
ters, as shall induce him to change his
views. and thus prevent discord among
two Grand Bodies who should act 10 har-
mony with each other, and for the best
interests Of the Order.