The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1885-02-18
THE MASONS.


From Press Dispateh.I
Jackson, Feb. l3.-The Masonic Grand
Lodge has had under its consideration ~
natter OF general interest To the craft.
question tour hing the power of that bod,
q enact statutes Tor its own and the gov
eminent of subordinate lodges. The Grand
Masters address propounded the question
as to whether such power Is expressly
granted by the constitution. and ii not.
whence i the power derived?
The question was referred to the com
mit'ee on law and Jurisprudence, who r.
ported that the constitution does not *
aressly do 80, and said further that il ma,
le argued that such powers are iDh,r
nj in the Graud Lodge Nv virtue Of IL.
functions from the ~, cessitv for tie exist
ence of the same somew here. which Jr,u
iuent the committee answered bv SAVING
ia effect that the constitution not ONLY doe
not confer them in these terms. and rhsr
by snch omission excludes them than IN,
practice Of the Grand Lodge in r,f.rrire
he proposed statutes to subordinate Lodue.
for their assent To is exercise implies nm
tcknow ledgment 10y the Grand L,.d,-e nj
It's lack of paramount legislative pnxer
rhe committee supported their position b,
other adruit but plausible argument. all OF
which, by implication deui, the inherent
power OF paramount legi-l ,tion hv the
Grand Lodge, and claimed that It's power,
LEI legislation are alone delegated, anu
closed by saying that the Grand Lodge
should have the power OF supreme legi~la-
ti1n, and recommended an amendment To
The Constitution granting the same.
The report was vigorously and ably as.
sailed and alike defended. The result wa,
the adoption of a substitute offered by Z 81
Grand Master Speed for the report OF TIA,
committees as follows: The power j,
nut given 10y the constitution, nor is il
necessary that such should be given, fui
bv virtue of ancient constitutions and regu
Iati1ns OF Masonry the Grand Lodge Is III,
Ouly true and legitimate source OF Masonic
authority. Subordinate lodges congresatt
under It's warrants; with II resides the IN
herent power to enact laws and regulations
Tor the government ot the craft. 10 alter
AID repeal such laws and regulations pre-
serving the ancien. land marks of the order
II is not necessary 10 submit amendments
to the statutes rules and regulations. by
laws aud rules for trials TO subordinate
lodges Tor their action.
The following Grand Officers were elect
ed Tor the ensuing year, all 10y unanimou-
vote except the Grand Chaplain for which
office there were several worthy contes
tants.
J. B Morgan, of Hernan6o, Grand Mas
b. T. Kimbrough, Oxford, Senior Crane
Warden.
E. Geo. DeLap, Natchez, Junior Grand
AP Barry, of Copiah, Grand Treasurer
J L. Power, of jackson, Grand Secre-
tary.
K. B. Brannin, of Aberdeen, Grand Lee
turer
Irwin Miller, of Walnut Grove, Crane
Chaplain.
Jacob PEBBLES, Of Natchez, Grand Tyler
The election OF Mr. Morgan, by acclama
lion and without opposition, TO the higt
office of Grand Master is only the seconl
similar election that ever occurred for tina
office in this jurisdiction, which has existed
nearly seventy years. As stated by ole
Masohs it was high compliment, but wei
deserved
The following are the appointed Crane
Officers:
g. I. Chamberlain, of Natchez, Deput,
Grand Master.
John IL. Buchanan, Senior Grand Dea
con.
c. C. Ross, Junior Grand Deacon.
q. W. Nethery, Grand Marshal.
John B. Cage, Grand Sword Bearer.
J. X. Mcleod Grand Pursuivant.
J. l.. Power, Grand Librarian.
After sundry legislation in the interes
of the order, the officers elected appointec
were installed by Past Grand Master Fred
eric Speed, alter which the session wa
formally closed at 6 o'clock p. IN. until III,
next annual communication, which is fxe,
to be held at this place on the secon6 Wed
nesday in February, 1885 Before closin.
| a resolution, offered by Past Grand Master
Jno. \. hurry, of thanks to Grand MasteI
| r. c. Patty, couched in the most compli
mentary t, rms that language could frame
was unanimously adopted 10y rising vote
The following are the standing Com
mittees
| Law and Jurisprudeuce--Fre Frederic Speed
| q. Y. freeman, Oliver Clifton.
Com plants and Appeals-Frank Bur
kilt J VI. Boon, NJ. NJ. Evans.
Finance and Printing-Robert c. Patty
/ w q. Paxton, W. A. Roane
Foreign Correspondence-A. Fl. Bark
icy, john T. Buck, w. Il. Trigg.
! state of the Order-John Y hurry, |
VI. Slavery, W. E Pearson.
! Custodiaus of the Work. r. Bower
Jno. +. Mccormick, John NJ. Ware, W
| Richards, VIM. S. Hamilton.