Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1878-06-18
+. N.
Proceeding of the Grand Lodge held at
sioux Falls June 11th.

At a. n.
Proceeding OF the Grand Lodge held NJ
sioux Falls Junc nth.
The late communication of tho Graha
lodge of Dakota ancient craft masons was a
most pleasant session in all Its features ana
concluded In a very satisfactory manner al
the business before it. The grand
Hodge is chiefly devoted 10 business and
general legislation for the order, and we
anticipate its published proceedings with'a
brief of its action upon several more impor-
tant topics.
The financial condition was found to he
excellent and no change in the policy. or
special action, was found necessary.
A chief item of interest to all the craft
was the address of the NJ. W. grand master
which was well received and highly COM
mended. 1t brought fully before the body
several subjects of importance upon which
the several committees reported action
which was In every case adopted by tho
grand lodge. One of these was the reia
lions Of this grand lodge to that of Mime.
sofa respecting jurisdiction over the subor.
dinate lodges at Fargo and Bismarck These
lodges were regularly instituted and char
tered by the grand lodge Of Minnesota prior
to the organization of the G. L. of Dakota.
All other lodges in Dakota united in form
ing this grand lodge but those Two have
continued to render their allegiance to Min
nesota. Resolutions had been passed oil
year ago urging the proper action by Min
ncsota directing the fealty of these lodges
to the Dakota jurisdiction but this had not
received favorable notice by that BODY. Ac-
c%ordingly the Dakota grand lodge rcaf1rm-
ed the necessity Of such action to prevent
confusion in the work. To this end the
full organization, power, dignity right of
the Dakota jurisdiction were redeclarcd,
and that this jurisdiction was supreme. am
pie and exclusive within tie boundaries of
Dakota, while that Of Minncsota was limit.
cd to the political boundaries Of that state;
that the original institution OF the two
lodges was authorized as being upon unoc-
territory but that the organization
In Dakota determined that authority: that
of Jurisdiction was threatened, by
such a situation, by application of discipline
one upon members of the other and by
one building with the rejected material Of
he other, since grand Jurisdictions could
1ot lcgislate for each other. All the facts
now which ever could exist and
final action was now due. While it was
that direct authority could he exer-
,ised upon the lodges, It was deemed that
hey felt justified by authority of o. grand
odge, though in error, and hence this grand
odge would forbear any extreme authority
md appeal still to that of Minnesota.
Resolutions Of the clearcst and most un
qualified condemnation OF the action of the
iraad Orient of France were adopted, re-
using recognition to any who did not dis
any acceptance Of the late resolution
by that body. The rejection Of faith in the
resurrection of the body and OF eternal life
which are held to be prime landmarks of
were declared impossible and
Incompatible with masonic existence and
equal to the total abandonment OF
the order.
The differences between the grand lodges
Of Colon and of Cuba, In that island, were
considered but no decision made, and the
question YVES postponed until the next an
nual communication in order that more full
md accurate information might be obtain
I'd.
Resolutions were passed directing the
grand secretary to promulgate to tho var
ious lodges the amendments heretofore
to the constitution, and certain ad-
.litional amendments thereto aud in by laws,
concurred in and proposed 10 the
lodges. The most important Of these consti-
propositions was the one fixing
membership and voting in the grand lodge.
As now stated it provides that each lodge
shall have three votes which shall all be
cast if one only Of its chief officers be pre-
sent or represented: also that all past and
present elective grand officers are entitled to
7ote individually, and also that all appoint
grand officers present and acting during
heir term are entitled to vote Individually.
The latter clause is an addition to the pow
and tends to secure more perfect atten-
and a larger working body.
A resolution was passed approving the de-
Of the grand master during the year
,pon masonic jurisprudence also providing
seal for that office.
No action was taken upon the subject of
lual membership. A resolution limits to
.hree the number of visits anynoa.afillated
mason may make to any lodge In the juris-
.lict!on, and this is a law to such lodges
and their officers. Discussion was had
Upon the subject of demits wherein the right
If ever member 10 withdraw when clear
On the books and in standing was held to
be unquestionable, but the giving of certif-
Gates Of character was held to be the priv
|ege of the lodge to be guarded in its excr-