Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1868-03-28
MASONIC INTELLIGENCE
OF THE eR... MASTER OF NEW
XORK


DECISIONS OF THE CIR. MASTER OF NEW
YORK.
"L-Thst a member of Lodge u
d, If in aff1lation with a warranted
Lodge, within n reasonable time, and
before the BYLAWS of the warranted
Lodge make the next installment OF his
dues after the granting of the warrant
70 the Lodge U. D.-psyable, must no
tify the warranted Lodge either in
writing or orally In person and In open
Lodge, of his intention TO remain with
The Lodge formerly U. D., and pay all OF
his dues up to that time, or he becomes
liable 10 be struck from the roll for the
nUn-payment Of dues by the older Lodge,
IS prescribed by the laws Of that Lodge,
or the Constitution. That being thus
stricken from the roll renders him non
affiliated in both Lodges. In view oi
this decision recommended that pen
atty be prescribed by this Grand Lodge,
snd inflicted upon Brethren who neglect
their duties In this respect.
"IT-ThAt when charges are drawn
loosely or without sufficient certainty,
sud for either OF these causes are dis
missed by q commission, the accused is
not thereby discharged from liability,
but new charges may be preferred to the
"
jurisdiction. as jurisdiction is defined by
sections 81, go, and 81 Of the Constitution.
That as to mere clerical errors, or errsrs
in dates, the charges can be amended
before the commission on the motion of
the complainant, or by sctien of the
commission, who may, Of their own vo-
liuoB, make the complaint conform to
! the facts: and il the accused should
claim 70 be surprised by the motion, that
I time be given 10 him for the purpose Of
| preparing his defense Us TO any newly
/ adGeG matter which he may assert that
he vas unpTepsred to meet.
III.-ThaJ 40 proxy to represent a
! Lodge in this Grand Body can be ap-
I pointed 10y the Master, or conformity by
him aud the Wardens Of a Lodge, during
/ the recess OF a Lodge; but that such 81
| appointment must be made in open
/ Lodge at 3 regular communication, if
possible; but il not, then at an emergent
/ communication after the members have
been duly summoned for that specific
I purpose.
"IV.-TEat it is improper to propose a
( profane in q Lodge FOR initiation and
membership" be not being eligible to
/ 10 such membership until he shall have
/ become q Master Jason; that the prop
1 oslii0n should bs for initiation and dd-
! uducen5eRt AID if the brother should re-
/ ceive the degrees, he can then, if there be
! no objection, sign the bylaws, and thus
/ become q Inember of the Lodge and
I that, hence, an objection to his so sign
/ ing them can be entertained by the
| Lodge; and that, OF the other hand, the
! brother cannot bacomp PEELED to sign them,
| there being no power in the Masonic law
/ 10 enforce him 10 do SO. l may here re-
mark that I approached the decision OF
| this subject with delicsey and delibera-
ton but the naked question was pre-
seuted whether q Mason Of any grade less
Than Master Mason, or whether a pro-
fane. could be elected, in advance OF re-
ceiving any degree, to membership in
Lodge. Believing this TO be the privi-
'sge Of 3 Master Mason alone, and that
n, ~ther can be eligible to membership,
e,,s the| Lodge Of Master MasoDs must
IL cornDogef Of such only, l, upon due
e(,,,gi,9 -rsfinD. decided the question ss
have stated.
uN.-Thatduring the interim between
the return Of a dispensatiOn for the for
mation Of q new Lodge to the Grand
SscretsTV, and the application 10 the
Grand Ledge for q warrant, the terrific
rial Jurisdiction Of the Lodge q. D. still
remains intact; aud that il is Masonic
ofienee for any warrant Lodge 70 invade
iL by using any material IN it.
aNI That a record OF conviction for
a felony, by a court having competent
jurisdiction Is priHa Jdcis evidence Of
the guilt of the Brother placed on trial
before a Masonic com mission, and is all
;he testimony that the prosecution Is
forced TO produce in the first instance.
Tbas a party or such trial should not
be sworn as witness on his own behalf,
Eu5 mast be permitted to make any state
msnt which he may see fit, which should
be reduced to writing and form portion
e. the record OF the trial. That the re-
Ievgucy Of all evidence offered on such a
trial is q question for the consideration
of the com mission alone, and not to be
touched IN any manner, except adviso-
rilv and ty Tequesg of the commission
and parties, by any Grand Officer, no
matter what may be HE grade, except
upon appeal, and certainly not during
tie pendency Of the case. During the
progress Of the trial, no matter con-
uecteC with il can De decided outside Of
the commission, unless all parties
unite ia asking tbe opinion OF some
proper official. The commission, may,
In other words, authOritatively ask ad-
vice, If all parties consent, from those
who 10y lgwD are called upon to decide
questions sof Jurisprudence. That in all
cases where a Brother is charged with
crime, and a record Of conviction is pro-
duced in evidence against him, and he
offers to prove his innocence to the salts
faction of the commission, that evidence
should be received and be not be barred
by the record and that the prosecutor ts
AZ liberty when the record of conviction
has bees asssiled by evidence, to intro
duce testimony 20 sustain the original
charge stated in the record or contained
in the specificstions.h
IOyyA-GRAED MASTER PECK's DECIs-
IONS, lS66-67.
Query-A member is suspended for
nou-psy ment Of dues. Within three or
4 I. 4 !