New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-24
TIE MASONIC CHAMELEON.

No doubt many o, the brethren who really have
the interest OF the fraternity at heart have often
been amazed by thu various schemes OF des'znnS
men who make OF the popularity az present
enjoyed By our order FOR n cir own selfish ennS'
and use Masonry "for al !, is worth"
Unfortunately this tendency IS not discovered or
developed until after these men have become mem
bers and have made a show OF active interest In
the affairs Of the lodge then IL leaks out by &C.
grees that all the zeal displayed by these men mas
for lis object "self-self-a ggra business
advertisements or political prcferment The lawyer
Expects obtain clients the doctor seeks patients
the merchant hopes By the use Of his name on
lodge cards increase his business, or there may
lie other Interior and selfish motives that tuiuate
ZONE men who seek admission 10 our ranks. ana
who after being admitted strive for Office ana
n;les and after they have been there awhile ana
played their sordid part-their little geme"-they
tre found out and deserted by true and honest
brethren. And then they suddenly discover that
Masonry Is p sham II has not served their pur-
lose they could not it, so they drop out nave
no further use for Masonry and only those re-
main TO work and 90 toll who are honest and SIN
ee. who are faithful and true 20 the principles OF
The or1er-fhose who become Masons from q "a
'erable opinion conceived Of the institution. de-
ire for knowledge and sincere wish to be bene-
'eial to my felloS-men."
Among the greatest nuisances % all these IS
raft, It's object its charities its broherly func-
tors he cares only for the popularity II may bring
nm counts only upon the number OF votes 20
'lgnent his ticket" II this one carries his point
,aily in his Masonic career well and good; that IL
% say. II he gains any standing or favor In the
ocge a; the beginning OF his Masonic lie ne may
Stick" bu, n ne is found out before he has gained
any point he becomes great bore. Usually thiS
Specimen Will select lodge whore Alderman fltz-
,f4.r IA q "a
Fast Master, and Will lay his plans accordingly he
VIII always be found hy the side OF Brother fiz'
Inc Alderman. or win my brother. the Judge O'
course. very of'on my brother. the Judge secs
through this fellow. and marks him at MS Va'ue'
winch Is yer low Il veritoble bsrgaln-couh'e'
'ue' marked down 10 s. g.
remember one Of this sort who was proposed In
ou' lodge by brother. who Informed us wheh
AahoinS in the application that Mr. George Wash
'Ag0n Gnfalkon was an excellent man, 1t would
oe capital thing 10 have this man a member u
we 'odge, as he was a man OF great inhuen'
NE ~aew everybody worth knowing IN the ci,y. hni
BE- uhseh well-known man LOU VOW Nn,nIG n"
al, great acquisition 20 our ranks anu wou,n "T I
W.! re an ornament 10 our looge' put wou'I ~,
TO az great deal OF good Vow NY Iawa5S h
taIing It's ranks but, rather. that Masonry Hon1l
Con- " taxing him by the hand anq i nahs ,or m
wf,hce where a clergyman rnay De in;tdc = haso
vY because he is a minister Of the Gospel with
a. .: dee regard TO the cloth. claim we give those
sssIh1!ng IN any community whom We pass upoi!
s s.u ma worthy 10 become members o. our ancient
,issnseInity, no matter what may De tHfH O'ruPa-
"yn or calling
Was one OF the committee appointed 10 ihVest-
~ ana report upon the character ana stdhuins
~, ~ M Gilfalkon The first man calico upon ioI
SSnsormation was a member OF another ioisc VINO
800 800 our candidate as Hremhn tVoIunteer 40 10
sscerrntinenD. and had been a member OF the same
'on,2pany with him . .
A. iess said this brother Il know Mr. Gina ikoh,
a. a. q fireman he 70 good. He would pay ms
~. DIT would help along otherwise ouIu
49, come 10 fires took no pride in the department.
franm" uIa 90 nothing 10 help The cause alohP a.i
H. 49, when ae resigned. The boys we're glad 10
n. 'n OIL aim. Yet he could say nothing agaih't
NJ, "ia'i ana when asked whether he would accept
b. a. member OF his own lodge ne answered ~
s-oh aiNirma'ive. although he said that he would
aegative one
raw no ..hsr good brother who knew him thoroughly
" ms unique description OF Mr.. Gilifalkon;
rood A. >. ne ~ nrs,-rate man. and man OF ma ny
sln. luanties-a real nice all-around man lie WIN
vsfc,a comic song for you. or II Methodist hymn.
IN Law poker with YOU. lie Will go with you TO
alvsns.h wake 70 funeral or 10 dog fight. He Is
10 ays ready 10 please. lie Will accompany you
rses. 'esi'al meeting a political gathering or ms
Gear. {" 20 church any Srnd3y morning. why
ID ready Tor any RACKET you may wish.