Abuse Of The Ballot.

ABUSE OF THE BALLOT .

fpHE subject to which we devote attention this J- week is no new one to our pages , neither , unfortunately , is it limited to any section or special locality in Freemasonry—it seems to be as widely known as the principles of the Craft themselves , and ,

much to tho regret of every right thinking Mason , is far moro frequently put into practice than many could believe , considering tho special objects and teachings of tho Order . The laws of Freemasonry lend themselves , so to speak , to the most objectionable practices and abuses in connection with the ballot , inasmuch as thev make it impossible for a

candidate to be made a Mason , or admitted a member of any Lodge if , on tho ballot , three black balls appear against them . There is no objection to this law so long as Masons conduct themselves as Masons , but it gives infinitely too much |) ower when , in order to exercise some personal pique or spite , a few members of a Lodgo descend to un-Masonio practices and black ball candidates indiscriminately , not because there is anything to bo said against tho candidates , but in order to bring the Lodge of which

they are members to a dead lock , and , by coercion , endeavour to foist tho wishes of the minority on tho majority . Unhaimily there are too many instances of this

un-Masonic behaviour to be met with in tho ranks ot Freemasonry to make it necessary for us to give any lengthy explanation of tho system under which it is practised . What more particularly concerns us now

is how to defeat it ? or how best to grapple with it when once it assails a Lodge ? "We have before us details of a Lodge which a few years back occupied a leading position in English Freemasonry , but which is now virtually ruined through tho action of some of its members , who have violated all principles of Masonry and polite societv in order to servo tlip . iv

own selfish ends , and endeavour , by unfair means , to force their views upon the other members of the Lodge against their wish . Can nothing lie done to bring these un-Masonic Masons to thoir senses ? It is nothing short of conspiracy that they aro engaged in , and yet thoy are able to shelter themselves behind the laws of Freemasonry , and , perhaps , escape punishment , on tho plea that the ballot is secret , and bcin «

so it is impossible to prove that they arc the ones who are black-balling the candidates ; while even if the charge is brought fairly home to them they can again fall back upon the laws , and say that evory Mason has the right to resist tho introduction of a person

they deem unsuited to become a member of their Lodge . All must recognise the difficulty of the problem which presents itself in this direction ; indeed , it is not saying too much when we admit that the minority , be it only three against a hundred—or , for matter of that , against thousands—have unlimited power on their side , and may truly bo said to be

Abuse Of The Ballot.

masters of the situation . But is there no loop-hole of escape open to the majority of the members of a Lodge when they find themselves set at defiance by a small minority ? Surely there must be , is the answer , and we look to the Constitutions for guidance on the point .

We think Law 209 may be of service under such circumstances as we have described . It relates to exclusion , and is to the following effect : "If any Brother behave in Lodge in such a manner as to

disturb the harmony oi tho Lodge , he shall be formally admonished by the Master ; and if he persist in his irregular conduct , he shall he punished by exclusion for the remainder of the meeting , according to the opinion of the majority of the members present , or the case may be reported to higher Masonic authority . " The next Law ( 210 ) enjoins that " every Lodge has the . power to permanently exclude any of its members for sufficient

cause , " provided certain forms are complied with , but " this power of exclusion can only bo exercised by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members present . " Is there anything to prevent

these laws being brought into force when three or four members of a Lodge are known to he handed together for the purpose of annoying , insulting and injuring the other members : destroying the harmony

and goodwill of the Lodge by unfair means we have referred to ? Wo can hardly give a negative answer to this proposition , for the reasons already mentioned—it is so difficult to prove anything -which requires an exposure of tho ballot to justify it , but

we think the experiment should bo worth a trial , and we would advise the majority of any Lodge suffering in tho way wo have mentioned to put the matter to the test . Tho Master for tho time being must form ally admonish the erring Craftsmen , then the members must , by vote , 2 ' ococ ^ to exclusion . We see no means available to the excluded members to regain admission to their Lodge but an appeal to the authorities of the Craft , and AVO can hardly believe Grand Lodgo wonld support members in wrong doing , no matter whether their offence was provided for by the existing laws of the Craft or otherwise .

At any rate , wo recommend this method as a probable solution of a grave difficulty , and urge on the loyal members of a Lodge afflicted as we have pointed out , to put it to the tost , after having found all other arguments and entreaties un-availing . If their action is not wholly consistent with the laws as they stand they arc at least in accord with the spirit of Freemasonry , which enjoins that in all casessave that of admission of new members—the majority shall havo power over the minority .

We aro pleased to state that Bro . Richard Eve Past Grand Treasurer has consented to In the President of the " Old Masonians" Association in succession to Bio . Colonel Lambert .