New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-05
THE GRAND LODGE.

TUESDAY next. June :. at p m. the Grand
,oacs n. this state will convene in It's 111th
.orual communication. The representatives OF
tho -44 lodges and Of over ninety-hve thou
,ons Masons in good standing in this Empire
s.ate together with the officers and permanent
rsmhers Of the Grand Lodge. Will assemble
- ,ssslate for the best interest Of the craft
+, Is natural that among large number
=, bright intelligent men. coming from every
walk in life difference exists as to what IS
the best interest of the craft That all are
lager 10 serve Masonry and the brethren and
anxious TO do their utmost to advance It's good
mus, he conceded by every member but It IS
nerfectlv natural that they differ 10 the ways
and means and as TO the methods to be en-
ployed 10 gain this very desirable end
7, may not he the mission Of the Masonic
n-ess 70 advise publicly" but Il is the mission.
ave. the duty Of every brother to suggest such
means as may he deemed best so that IN the
multitude Of counsel may he found the end so
honestly and sincerely sought by every true
Mason In the Empire State. One OF the most
important measures TO he brought before this
Grand Lodge will be the methods of selecting
the trustees Of the Hall and Asylum Fund ac-
cording 70 the bin passed and signed Al Albany.
That the brethren are deeply concerned IN this
which was manifested while the matter was
before the Assembly Committee The bill has
been signed and is now the law. and Is In Just
such shane as the brethren. after thorough dis
custom pro and con and after much counsel
had been had desired il 10 he. II remains now
with the brethren 10 he thoroughly prepared,
listen n the hest counsel and finally choose
the methods which will be truly and really
for the best interest of the craft
Much politics and political methods have OF
late years been cropping up in Grand Lodge
elections. and the ill-teeling and bad language
used by some Of the hot-headed tand addle-
headed) and H. advised brethren is most repre-
hensbe and should he frowned down by every
loyal and true Mason. one Of the causes or
this rampant spirit is undoubtedly the reoccur-
ring election &C Deputy Grand Master from
this city. which could be remeded 10y amending
the constitution Article l. Section 10 and sub
stitute. so that il shall read: when the Senior
Grand Warden shall ba chosen from the city
Of New York or Long Island the Junior Grand
Warden shall be chosen from some other portion
of the state. and when the Senior Grand war
den shall be chosen from any portion OF the
State other than the city Of New York and
Long Island the Junior Grand Warden must be
chosen from the said city or island" This
would obviate much hard feeling. would always
educate the coming Grand Master by placing
him IN training and years of service with all
the other elective Grand officers. and offers
many advantages over our present system. Now,
what are the disadvantages? Are there any?
Let the brethren ponder over both sides and
choose that which is for the best interest OF
the craft" NJ. W. John Stewart. in his annual
address the Grand Lodge. convened in June
1896 page o. transactions; 1850. made this
suggestion. but as usual politics was ram
pant. ard the brethren paid no heed TO his wise
suggestions. and the best interest Of the craft"
was thrust aside for the time. Let this sub
feet ne taken up now. thoroughly discussed and
le, the brethren choose the best method.
Another very serious condition confronts the
brethren Of the Grand Lodge. The inmates OF
the Home al Utica are constantly increasing
new buildings must he erected. more accommo-
dations must be furnished, hence the expenses
az the institution are increasing, while the IN
come from the Temple does not. and cannot he
made 70 yield more income saddled as we are
with that long lease and low rent for the
ground floor. This is a very serious matter and
should be met seriously intellgently and stud
led With cool elaboration and with the single
purpose to advance the best interest of the
craft. Find fault with the existing state Of af-
fairs much you choose il does not alter
IT; but resolutely. honestly and sincerely go
70 work and mend the matter for the better. and
you will have accomplished some good.
Let no selfish mercenary or ambitious motives
stand in the way OF the general good: let the
representatives Of this Grand Lodge ponder
well that the ninety five thousand brethren look
TO their Masters, their representatives. their
servants TO do their whole duty to them and 10
the grand old Institution OF which they are not
only component parts. but are. for to-day at
least, the leaders, and IL any OF these tries
10 put self above the general good mark him
as unworthy the name. unworthy Of the
this grand old order Of which we are all proud.
q