Election Tactics.

ELECTION TACTICS .

HP HE results of yesterday ' s election for the two -L branches of the Benevolent Institution supplies another object lesson in a matter we have frequently referred to of late—the system of organisation in vogue in mosfc of the divisions of English Freemasonry in

regard to Charity voting , a question which seems to need increased attention year by year , from those who desire a return from the Institutions in proportion to contributions made to them .

The point is particularly marked in regard to those who were yesterday successful for the Male Fund , no less than seventeen of the twenty-seven annuities being secured by firsfc application cases , which , however , it is

fair to say , were nearly one half of the entire body who went to the poll . Ifc is true fche proportion of successes , seventeen to twenty-seven , was not so widely opposed to the proportion of candidates , twenty-eight to thirty-one

( allowing for the six on the list who did not go to the poll ) , but what we specially wish to draw attention to is the manifest preference given to new cases as compared with those long on the list of candidates . While

the successes of first applicants is fairly proportionate to the whole body of new cases , we find that twenty-four of the annuities were secured by Aged Brethren whose petitions had been passed less than two years previous

to the day of election , iu other words , seven second applicants were admitted in addition to the seventeen first cases , while the remaining nineteen candidates ( one

of whom was , however , dead before the papers were issued ) , had to be content with three prizes—one being secured on a third application .

To realise the full extent of the struggles of these older unsuccessful candidates we must bear in mind that

they included twelfth , eleventh , tenth , seventh , sixth , fifth , and fourth applications , but the number of votes polled clearly proved that in the majority of the cases there was very little interest at work , and , probably ,

very little chance of ultimate success . But on the Masonic principle of all being equal , this disparity and disappointment is all the more marked , and should call forth something more than mere expressions of

sympathy . The Brethren who apply have been recognised time after time as worthy of support , and it seems very hard that being so they should be forced by the stress of circumstances to wait year after year for the Masonic assistance that , in a measure , they are entitled to

. On fche Widows side the preference for later candidates it not so marked , although here one half of the prizes were secured by first or second application cases , while the first fifteen on the list had to content themselves with three successes , and this notwithstanding

Election Tactics.

the fact that the number included fourteenth , eleventh , tenth , ninth , eighth , seventh , and sixth applications .

But much as one may deplore this state of affairs there does not seem to be any way of obviating ifc , unless fche supporters of the Institution are prepared to consider the advisability of modifying the 37 th Rule , which gives fco fche Committee of Management the power of admitting

candidates who have attained the age of eighty years , if in their opinion efforts have been made to secure his or her election ; but as the tendency of recent legislation has been to rather extend than curtail the compulsory

qualifications of eligibility , there is not much chance of such a proposal as that being carried into effect unless very strong support could be shown in its favour . There are one or two now on the list to be carried forward who

would come within range of a modified 37 th Rule , and if their friends can demonstrate that they have really been in earnest in their past endeavours they might do worse than make a formal application for such an alteration as would bring their candidates within reach

of fche perogative of the Committee of Management . It

would at least open up the question for discussion , and would , we believe , demonstrate that a large number of supporters are in favour of increased facilities for older candidates , and would at once accord them further benefits if it was in their power to do so .

In concluding our remarks it is only necessary fco point to yesterday ' s result on the Male side to prove the absolute necessity of combination at the present time if success is aimed at . The Provinces already efficiently

organised are reaping the reward of their labours , those not so strong are making strenuous efforts in the same direction , but the other great division of English Freemasonry—London—is apparently content to go quietly

on in the same old way , trusting to the special exertions of individual members rather fchan fche more reliable operations of an organised body—bufc despite all this the

Londoners managed to secure a fair number of annuities yesterday , when they showed much better than has often been the case .

o o o As a visitor at a recent meeting of the Bishopsgate Lodge , the Master of which offered 50 guineas with which to start a Lodge Benevolent Fund , Bro . J . H .

Whadcoat congratulated the members and said he should like to see older Lodges following on the same lines , and considered that if it became the custom to endeavour to keep pace with the younger ones iu this direction it would

be well . Bro . Whadcoat has just proved his sincerity on this subject by contributing 250 guineas towards a Benevolent Fund in connection with the Royal Athelstan Lodge , of which he is at present time Worshipful Master .

As recorded elsewhere in this issue other members of the Lodge have supplemented the handsome donation of its Master to such good effect that the Fund starts with a capital of over £ 500 .