New-York tribune., 1883-06-07
THE MASONIC COUNCIL.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
T EDWARD SIMMONS CHOSEN GRAND MAsTER-A
coxrrsr OVER THE JUNIOR GRAND WARDEN
SHIP.
Tho second davis session OF tho Grand Lodge OF
Freemasons was opened at O'Clock. Alter prayer
by the Grand Chaplain the minutes OF the hrst days
session were read by the Grand Secretary, Colonel
Ehlers The members were in no humor TO do busi-
ness tho nearness of the election OF officers driving
all other considerations and thoughts away. The
canvass for Junior Grand Warden became more aud
more vigorous The friends Of James Ten Eyok. OF
Albany said that while they were anxious 10 see
him elected in the event OF his defeat they would
support W. Lincoln Sage, his opponent At 10
o'clock in accordance with the special order passed
NJ the last session of the Grand Lodge. the oldest
Past Grand Master present. Isaac Phillips, took the
gayel and called for nominations for Grand Master
After n moments delay Edmund L. Judson. of Al
bany stepped forward and in brief but eulogistic
spesch nominated J. Edward Simmons. General
Charles Roome seconded the nomination in few
words that were received with general applause.
Grand Master Phillips then announced that rs there
had been only one nomination for the Office oil
Grand Master he would, as was customary call TOT
n vote by show of hands. Every hand seemed 10
On nm. and IL was announced that Mr.. Simmons had
been unanimously elected Grand Master OF Masons
of the State OF New-York for the ensuing Masonic
year. iMr Simmons was conducted to the Grand
East informed that he had been unanimously
elected aud asked whether he accepted the Office or
not In reply he warmly thanked those who had
stood by him in some of the past hours when he
had been assailed in the house OF his friends and
the trumnh of the present hour he said, was all tho
greater because il was such a complete vindlcaion
of mis- character and principles. The applause fol-
| L;a NJ he Office deatcning
and prolonged.
J. Edwards Simmons is a millionaire retired
banker He was born in Troy on September y,
ls41 and was graduated from Williams College In
the class Of 1862. He attended the Albany Law
School and was admitted to the bar In 1868. For
two years subsequently he practised law In Troy
and then gave up the profession and went Into Dusi
ness as a wholesale grocer. After short experience
in this line he married and afterward came to
this city aud went into business in Wall-st As a
banker and broker he accumulated fortune. lie
retired from business before the panic OF 1873. lie
ia n member of the Stock Exchange director and
trustee of several corporations and institutions
Commissioner of Education and on some OF the
most active committees in that body. His home is
at No. % West Fiftysecond-st., and he has cot
taee on the shore of Lake George. He was made
Mason in Mount Zion Lodge No. 81 Of Troy, In
1864 and affiliated with Kane Lodge No. 15i OF
this CITY ten years afterwaid. In 1877 he was
elected Master of that lodge and reelected In 1879
On his retirement from the Last RECEPTION wa
given to him and Inc was presented with statue OF
the Gcd of Love. and Past Master Jewel studded
with diamonds. lie Is member OF jerusaiem
CHARTER No. >, Royal Arch Masons and OF Cmur de
Lion Commander No. %, Knights femplar; Of
the latter he became Eminent Commander IN 1851.
Grand Master Joseph }. Couch appointed hlm DIS
trict Deputy Grand Master of the sixth Masonic
District, and General Roome made MN Grand Mar
sbal. lie represented tne State Of Missouri near
the Grand Lodge OF New-YoTk, but resigned In
favor of Walter r. Montague after he was elected
Deputy Grand Master last year.
The other officers elected exactly as had
been predicted In THE TRIBUNE Oh Monday. The
contest between w. Lincoln Sage Of Rochester
and James Ten Eyck. OF Albany, was described yes
terday. When Mr.. Ten Eyck had been found to
have been elected the excitement was intense. As
has been stated before both are men OF unoxception
able character and the election of MI. sage mas
simply been postponed Tor two years, when he WIN
probably have clear field. His friends all under
stood this and hence were among Tho hearty con
| pratuators of Mr.. Ten Eyck. He has been prom
| inent member of the Grand Lodge for fourteen
Years and is beloved and respected That he was
able TO win without his friends making an organ
zed effort until day before yesterday against Mr.
Sages OF months Is the best evidence of his
| strength. He was Grand Marshal under Grand
| Master Judson and Grand Standard Bearer under
| Grand Master Flagler.
of Theophilus Pratt, Of No. 81 Wost One-hundred-
and.twenty seventhst- for trustee OF the Hall and
Asylum Fund in the place OF Harvey farrlngton
whose term expired. The nomination was con-
frmed by unanimous vote and the action Was
followed by hearty and prolonged applause. Mr.
Pratt is best known the president of the Masonic
Veteran Association.
| Distriot deputy Grand Master Robert Roberts
moved that the thanks OF the Grand Lodge be ten
dered 10 ST. Cece Lodge for ITS services in the open
| ing ceremonies and the motion was enthusiastically
| carried. resolution was adopted by which in
future the Grand Lodge is to assemble at 10 a. H.
| for Its annual communication instead OF p M.
Considerable discussion was caused by the amend
| ment 70 the constitution providing that when n
| lodge intends TO change Its place OF meeting IL shall
| first obtain consent of all the lodges that may DO
| affected by such removal. The discussion was car
| ried on with great deal OF latitude, and tho
| amendment was at length voted down. A resOn-
tion appointing q committee 10 act IN concert with
| the Grand Lecturer In considering the subject OF
| work and lectures offered by John +. Collins
| of Howard Lodge No. 3d. and was referred to the
| standing committee on that Eubcct. Although
| early in the day, the standing committees not
| ready to report, and the Grand Lodge took
until o'clock this morning.