In the matters of White Face Mountain Lodge, U. D., and Tahawus Lodge, U. D., making applications for charters, the committee begs leave to report that after careful examination they find the applications to be in due form as required by the constitution and statutes of this Grand Lodge, and they therefore recommend that warrants be granted to White Face Mountain Lodge, U. D., and Tahawus Lodge, U. D. The Grand Lodge was then called from labor to refreshment until to-morrow morning at 9 o'clock. Grand Lodge. THURSDAY, June 4th, 9 o'clock, A. M., A. L. 5885. The Grand Lodge resumed its session. Present-M.. W.. WILLIAM A. BRODIE, Grand Master. Officers and representatives as before. Prayer by R... W.. CHAS. W. CAMP, Grand Chaplain. The Minutes of yesterday afternoon's session were read and approved. TELEGRAM. The following telegram from the Grand Lodge of Washington Territory was received, ordered spread upon the minutes, and the Grand Secretary directed to reply thereto : TACOMA, W. T., June 3, 1885. TO EDWARD M. L. EHLERS, Grand Secretary Grand Lodge of New York: The Grand Lodge of Washington Territory F. and A. Masons now in annual session fraternally greets the Grand Lodge of New York. T. M. REED, Grand Secretary. NEW YORK, June 4, 1885. To T. M. REED, Grand Secretary, Tacoma, Washington Territory : The Grand Lodge of New York acknowledges and cordially returns the fraternal greeting of the Grand Lodge of Washington Territory. EDWARD M. L. EHLERS, Grand Secretary. On motion of M.. W.. J. EDWARD SIMMONS the following resolution was referred to the Committee on Finance: Resolved, That a special committee of three, be appointed, for the purpose of procuring, under the supervision, and with the approval of the Grand Master, such additional regalia as may be required by the officers of this Grand Lodge, and to establish such changes in the regalia of the elected officers as will properly distinguish the same from that of the appointed officers of Grand Lodge. On motion the Grand Secretary was directed to charge two dollars instead of five for Past Master's certificates. REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON WORK AND W.. GEORGE BAKER from the Committee on Work and Lectures presented the report of said Committee, which was received and its recommendation adopted: To the Grand Lodge: Your Committee on Work and Lectures, respectfully report : That they have carefully examined the annual Report of the Grand Lecturer, dated May 1, 1885, submitted to the Grand Lodge at this communication, and referred to your Committee; and find that he has faithfully and efficiently performed his official duties during the past year, and recommend the adoption of his Report. Believing that accuracy and uniformity in the work can best be secured by constant care and watchfulness; and in view of the valuable services rendered by the Special Committee on Work and Lectures appointed at the annual communication of this Grand Lodge in 1883, and re-appointed under a resolution adopted by the Grand Lodge in 1884; your Committee respectfully recommend that the M... W.. Grand Master be requested to continue until the next annual session of the Grand Lodge, the Special Committee on Work and Lectures, for the purpose of aiding and supporting the Grand Lecturer in enforcing the will of the Grand Lodge regarding Work and Lectures. Your Committee further report that they most heartily concur in such of the recommendations in the M.. W.. Grand Master's Report, as were referred to them, and recommend their adoption by the Grand Lodge. M.. W.. JESSE B. ANTHONY, from the Committee on Finance, presented the report of said committee, which was received, and its recommendations adopted: To the Grand Lodge: The Standing Committee on Finance most respectfully report that they have carefully examined the various matters referred to them, being appropriations from the funds of this Grand Lodge, and would recommend that the following sums be set apart for the purpose hereinafter mentioned: Committee on Pay of Representatives for clerk hire...... $15 00 Trustees of the Hall and Asylum Fund, for rent of rooms in the Temple, used by the Grand Lodge and Grand Officers... 3,000 00 Stationery, postage and contingent expenses of the M.'. W.. Grand Committee on Foreign Correspondence and for translations.. 76 25 400 00 22 00 MICHAEL SCHLIG, for music furnished at the opening ceremonies of the 40 00 A. R. SCOTT & Co. for 1500 copies of Grand Master's Address..... 62 00 25 00 The marked improvement which has been made in the library of the Grand Lodge and the facilities afforded to the craft through the medium of its readingroom commends itself to your careful attention, and we most cheerfully recommend the appropriation asked for by the Grand Librarian to enable him to carry on a work which is not only to the credit of the Grand Lodge, but also of immense value to the welfare and the growth of the craft. The intellectual treasures heretofore almost inaccessible to the craft, are now available to the student in our history, jurisprudence and symbolism, and the money thus invested will bring in goodly returns in the elevation and building up of the masonic workers. We recommend the adoption of the following resolution: "That the sum of three hundred dollars ($300) be appropriated to the Grand Librarian, to be used for purposes of binding and the purchase of new masonic works for the Grand Lodge Library." Your Committee would recommend the adoption of the resolution offered by R.. W.. EDWARD H. WARKER, VİZ. : Resolved, That the Grand Secretary be directed to publish annually, in the printed proceedings, the portrait of a Past Grand Master, in addition to that of the retiring Grand Master. We believe that the preservation of the familiar and loved lineament of the older Past Grand officers will be of value to the craft and a deserving compliment to those who have labored many years in the interest of the Grand Body and become identified with its history. Your Committee would report that they have thoroughly examined the books and accounts of the Grand Secretary and Grand Treasurer and find them correct. They are also duly certified quarterly by a committee appointed for said purpose. The total receipts by the Grand Secretary have been as follows: From returns of lodges, etc., since last printed financial exhibit, viz. : year ending April 30, 1884.... From returns of lodges to December 31, 1884. From certificates, dispensations, etc., to December 31, 1884.. To which add interest on deposits collected by the Grand Treasurer.. Total receipts to April 30, 1885.. $85,181 25 52,078 03 772 10 138,031 38 37 67 $138,069 05 The disbursements have been as per account of the Grand Treasurer 113,036 86 Leaving a balance of... $25,032 19 in the hands of the Grand Treasurer, on deposit in the National Citizens' Bank to the credit of the Grand Lodge, which is held to cover the pay of representatives for this annual session, regular expenses of the year and appropriations which may be made. The alteration in the close of the masonic year, with reference to returns of lodges and payment of annual dues has during the past year demonstrated the importance and necessity of the change. The labors of the Grand Secretary's office which heretofore were crowded into the month preceding the annual communication of the Grand Lodge, have been distributed over several months and enabled him to present his books and accounts in complete and thorough shape for the inspection of the Grand Lodge and also to give the necessary attention to the details appertaining to this vast jurisdiction which under the old method it was almost impossible to do. In order to enable the Grand Secretary to present the full year's finances in the printed statement of the receipts and expenditures, the lodges should pay the amount of their returns previous to May 1st, and we would earnestly recommend promptness in this particular. We cannot too highly commend the Grand Secretary and his able assistant for the marked improvement which has been made in the details of the Grand Secretary's office and the faithful manner in which the duties have been performed. There has been received, since April 30, 1885, by the Grand Secretary, the sum of $3,133.89 (June 2nd) which is deposited in the Garfield National Bank to the credit of the Grand Lodge. In relation to the following resolution Resolved, That the Grand Lodge of Masons in the State of New York, donate the sum of one thousand dollars to the pedestal fund for the statue of Liberty Your Committee would respectfully report that while as individuals and citizens of this great republic it is our duty and should be esteemed a privilege to contribute of our means to the fund now being raised to provide a suitable Pedestal for the Statue of Liberty given to this country by France, and your Committee would earnestly second the appeal which has, we understand, been transmitted to the several lodges for individual subscriptions, yet as the funds of this Grand Lodge are held in trust for certain specific purposes-masonic in their nature-they cannot, in the judgment of your Committee, be appropriated as called for by the resolution. We would therefore report adversely on the resolution and recommend that it be not adopted. In relation to the resolution offered by M... W.. J. EDWARD SIMMONS, Contemplating the purchase of additional regalia required by the officers of the Grand Lodge, your Committee report in its favor and recommend an appropriation of five hundred dollars ($500) from the funds of this Grand Lodge to carry it into affect. Your Committee would recommend the adoption of the following resolutions: Resolved, That the Grand Treasurer is hereby authorized to pay, upon the certificate of the Grand Secretary, the necessary expenses connected with the offices of the Grand Secretary, Grand Treasurer, and Grand Librarian, including printing, stationery, postage, etc., for the ensuing year. Resolved, That all the funds of the Grand Lodge for the current year, beyond the sums required to meet the contingent expenses and appropriations already made, or which may be made during the present communication of the Grand Lodge, be and they are hereby devoted to the Hall and Asylum Fund, and be paid to the trustees of said fund. Fraternally submitted, JESSE B. ANTHONY, Committee. |