New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-23
MORE ABOUT SECRETARIES.
r,c Editor New-York Tribune.

Masonic Editor New-York Tribune
Dear Sir and Brother: would like TO INFORM
"Why" why the secretaries are Invariably Ignored
in the reading notices OF lodge happenings IN your
worry Interesting columns In the first place. the
secretary with ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS inherent
fnodesty does not wish to blow his own horh' ~
is he who either writes the notices vi inc uoi'e'
of his lodge or courteously gives an interview 10
your representative to be written up for your Jun
dav edition. and while he gives all due praise 10
the other officers and tells Of the successiul WORN
being performed by his lodge 1t Is manitesty map
propriate for him TO speak write or the large
share which he generally contributes TO that sue
cess. As he does not speak OF himself there 10 "o
one else to speak for him, for the other o"'e''
don't consider him except as faithful prother VIM
ia partly paid for his labors. except, OF course
The Tribune which has occasionally given MIN
kindly consideration. ] am afraid the result wou'o
be dreful II a token Of esteem should be presented
to a secretary who had painstakingly performed
his duties for a quarter of n century or MORE
would perhaps cause heart failure. as tho surprise
would be great. and then the lodge might ha'o
to llquidate a funeral bill instead OF making inc
presentation OF mementO Of appreciation
There are none who know OF the labors OF a Sec
rotary except thcse who have conscientousy nileo
the position. Very little OF his work Is actuaiiy
visible even to the East. This does not Apply u
all secretaries, for some are entirety uiheien"
merely doing what Is absolutely necessary ana no
hearted manner; but I am writing of those 'by
far the larger majority who have the best inter-
ests Of their lodges at heart and work WIN inc
one object in view OF their continued retirement
and accept rebuffs, fault-fndng, lukewarmness
and worse as natural concomitants OF the ONCE
with calmness and In the spirit Of brothery love
How often do they receive thanks-they receive
their munihcent salary OF $50 70 $50 per annum'
some will say, and what more should De .eHpecteu'
All my brothers that may be adequate Tor super
animated pensioners who are dominated py ulo
spirit OF cupidity and put In the position pc
cause they have at some time been In the East,
although perhaps they never were qualled lor aiIy
position Of importance Bgt tn who let's IL always
first in the performance or MS dic uu a 20
Of life requires than the stipend allotted TO
him A good one is not always known unul Ms in
successor takes the desk and can then investigate
1t Is indeed thankess task. He Is expected 10
keep the treasurer In ample funds and as soon az
dues ia acceptable Immediately he has obtained the
i-will perhaps open hoStnty OF sHcn: w ~,
ever knew Of notices sent out TO be Satisfactory 70
all? There are always some VINO VIII atn sa ones are
TO Jump him for an apparent error "a ms IL '', ~
utes! II anything goes wrong how nancy II Is 10
desk II he makes brilliant move wh9 thinks s 10
give him credit for it In open lodge! how MANY IAN
w Ms are perfect In their work? Their impeo,,
fectons are CLOSED over. but the wieider OF OF
the pen, II he should by chance. through press OF
work or inadyertence make an error. how readiy
| a smile goes round and how in-arrears inemDers
recess and after closng Yes, Brother Why
there is no question but that the secretary IS me
hardest worker In the quarries las ruiel, tn. PUN
the least appreciated. have not had all the thrill
! ing experiences Of which write for have been
! in office considerably less than quarter OF cen
| fury but I have visited great deal nearu uiS
seryant SECRETARY.
New-York, May II, 1897.