The Washington bee., 1898-02-26
SECRET ORDERS.

According TO promise we publish
the following in connection with the
case of Mckenney, J. w. VS. Scott, J.,
editor of the "oignet," a very able
paper published in the interest of col
ored Masons of the United States. 1t
is not the white people that we mast
complain of but of our cwn. We have
carefully examined the copy of the
"Signet" of October, 1897, and we fail
to see where the grand master of Texas
Masons is right in his mode of proceed
ure. The action of Grand Master Nc
Kenney is similar 10 that of grand
master of Florida Masons, who for
over four months, exposed the secrets
of Freemasonry through the public
press In the first place Grand Master
Mckenney is dead wrong Previous
to August 10, 1897, we are Informed,
THAI Grand Master McKenney eucour-
aged one ID. K Stokes to communl-
cate the degrees of K. and S. M. etc,
when every intelligent Mason knows
that the degrees of r. and 5. Nj. are
either conferred upon Royal Arch Ma
sons of the York Rite or Grand Elect
Perfect aud Sublime MaSons of the
Scottish Rite. I'd. Every intelligent
Mason knows that after Webb and
Smith subdivided Freemasonry into
Blue Lodges, chapters, and command
cries; that Blue masonry only has ju-
risdlction over the Ist, 2nd, and 3rd
degrees. The following extract from
Mackey's, page 45I, is published for
the information OF these socailed smart
Masons who talk through their hats,
viz: In I7I7, among the powers which
the carft possessed was one OF eXer-
cising penal jurisdiction over the
Grand Master. This in conjunction with
others to be exercised by their masters
and Wardens, in trust tor themselves
in the grand lodge meeting as follows:
If the Grand Master should abuse his
power and render himself unworthy of
the obedience and subJection OF the
lodges, he shall be treated in way
and manner TO be agreed upon and a
new regulation, become hitherto the
ancient fraternity has had no occasion
to for it, their former grand masters
having all behaved themselves worthy
of that honorable office. The article re-
lating 10 this matter comprises three
statesments.
rst. That the Grand Master is re-
sponsible for any abuse of his power.
2nd. That a regulation may at any
Time be made to provide the mode of
exercising punishment over him.
ard. That such regulation never has
been made, simply because there was
no necessity for it, and not because
there was any power to enact Ii, we
quote further fiom an article which ap-
peared i'm the BEE on Sept. IS, 1897, as
follows:
Is the Grand Master supreme? Bro.
/. c. Corbin, Grand Secretary OF the
Arkansas Masons throws down the
guage, the absolute power OF the u.
NJ, questioned. when the grand lodge
is not i'm session. The Grand Master
is the grand lodge. Bro. Corhin is
the TYLER of Washington, ID. G, states
that he has never been able TO dlscov-
er who inserted this wonderful formula
given above. 1t is not found In any
Masonic book, yet some maSons, es-
pecially Grand Masters, are positive
and dogmatic about it as though it
was a land mark. He says further; If
the Grand Masters is the grand lodge
he as absolute as the Sultan and
as autocratic as the Gar. The ProfeS
sor states further that he cannot see
how any Order recognizing one mans
mower can exist in this free country
He saws further; that when Grand
Masters thus become the grand lodge,
IN and by himself, what becomes OF
the Grand Officers? The theory the
Professor states will not do. The
Grand Master is simply the executive
officer of the grand lodge and his in
hn lou
the grand lodge is not IN session, and
that is the end OF the matter. III the
President If the United States can be
impeached, why can not the GRAND
Master of MasonS be served likewise!
Now In the case Grand Master Mcken-
nv, il is simply a recapltulatlon OF the
District. Smith VS. Seville and others,
again what became ot the 18th Land
mark of Masonry? 1t Is true that
Grand Masters can In accordance
with the Landmark make Masons at
sight. but after he has made them, can
he put them into a warranted lodge
except with the unanimous consent of
the lodge? No. Now TO be plain about
the matter, the Grand Master can only
lepitimately perform the following
acts: " hen the grand lodge is not
in session; First sign drafts for money
on the Treasurer, for moneys TO be
paid after proper actions by the Grand
body.
and. To appoint all COMMITTEES.
ard. To act as ex-officio OF the same.
ath. To make Masons at sight.
5th. To preside over lodges under
the jurisdiction of the Grand lodge
which he is the Grand Master.
9th. To suspend Grand officers from
duty for un-masonic conduct.
9TH. To suspend lodges from work
in extreme cases pending time the
grand lodge is from labor to refresh
ments, after which his acts must be
approved by the grand lodge