United Grand Lodge Of England.

To the United Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of England . A complaint has been laid before the Board by Bro . Nathaniel Tracy , Prov . G . Sec . of Suffolk , against Bro . Asher Barfield , the present Grand Treasurer , for having employed a gentleman in Ipswich , who is not a Mason , to solicit from the Past Masters of lodges in Ipswich votes for him , when a candidate for that office , and to distribute printed invitations to a luncheon at the Holborn Restaurant to all who were willing to support his election .

The Board considered that this complaint vvas not such as could be dealt with by them , but that it was their duty to bring the matter under the notice of the Grand Lodge , as one concerning its honour and privileges , and the credit and reputation of the Society . ( Signed ) THOMAS FENN , President . Freemasons' Hall , London , W . C , 15 th May , 1888 .

To the report is subjoined a statement of the Grand Lodge accounts , at the last meeting of the Finance Committee , held on Friday , the 1 ith day of May instant , showing a balance in the Bank of England ( Western Branch ) of ^ 3741 is . 4 d ., and in the hands of the Grand Secretary for petty cash £ ioo , and for servants' wages £ 100 , and balance of annual allowance for library - £ 38 4 s . ? d .

At the meeting of the Board held on Tuesday , the 15 th ] ult ., after the ordinary business had been disposed of , the following resolution vvas passed , viz .:

—That the cordial thanks of the members of the Board of General Purposes be given to V . W . Bro . Thomas Fenn , the President , for the very able and courteous manner in vvhich he has presided over tho meetings of the Board during the past year . ( Signed ) CHARLES BELTON , Vice-President .

Bro . FENN read the formal complaint and the documents referred to , and said he was not instructed to make any remark or proposition on this complaint . It was brought before Grand Lodge for their consideration , and he left it in their hands . He saw Bro . Tracy present , and probably he vvould like to say something vvith respect to his complaint .

Bro . N . TRACY , Prov . G . Sec . Suffolk , said he only wished , in the first p lace , to say that in making this complaint he vvas not actuated by any feeling of hostility to Bro . Barfield , but merely by pure Masonic feeling in the interest of the Order , whose honour every Mason must feel concerned for . When the Legislature had made even the promise of a pint of beer sufficient to vitiate an election to Parliament , he thought that Masons should

be as careful to make their elections pure . He had no proposition to lay before Grand Lodge . He left his complaint to the wisdom of Grand Lodge to deal in the matter . The circumstances were mostpainlul and regretable , and when they arose he felt it vvas wrong to let the matter remain quiet , and he understood that it vvas not the first time that such practices had taken place .

After a short discussion , in vvhich it was said that Bro . Barfield wished to make a statement , The Earl of CARNARVON said that as yet he vvould beg to observe there vvas no proposition before Grand Lodge . The mere fact had been stated , as it vvas the duty of the President of the Board of General Purposes tc stale it , and it remained now to be seen whether , in conformity vvith the

courtesy which always prevailed in such a body as Grand Lodge , they should hear anything from Bro . Barfield . He vvould therefore suggest to him if he thought fit to make any statement he should do so , and he ( Lord Carnarvon ) vvas sure it would be received in the calmest and most friendl y spirit . Bro . Binckes rose to speak , when there were loud cries of " Barfield . "

The Earl of CARNARVON , checking Bro . Binckes , said he had already ruled that there was no proposal belore Grand Lodge , and therefore he must leave it to Bro . Barfield either to speak or to be silent . ( Cheers . ) Bro . BARFIELD , vvho vvas received with loud applause , then stated that in answer to the complaint against him , he had to say that during the 42 years of his Masonic career he could , without fear of contradiction ,

state that he had always endeavoured to maintain the honour , dignity , and privileges of Grand Lodge and the credit and reputation ol the Craft , and this was the first charge of un-Masonic conduct lhat had ever been brought against him . The Board had received the complaint alluded to , and in their discretion , as no doubt vvas within their power , they had considered it their duty to bring the matter under the notice of Grand Lodge . It was

not for him to question the ruling of that body . He accepted as a loyal Mason their decision without demur . It was Grand Lodge he had to satisfy if he possibly could that he never even intended to commit any Masonic irregularity , and he most solemnly and unhesitatingly declared that he did not employ any gentleman to solicit votes on his behalf —( cheers)—nor did he employ any gentleman to distribute printed invitations to luncheon

at the Holborn Restaurant to those who were willing to support his election . But vvhat he did was this . Shortly before the eleclion , and while he vvas confined to his bedroom vvith inflammation of the sciatic nerve , he sent to several of his Masonic friends in the country and to Sudbury , where he was born , to Ipswich , and many other places a short printed biography of himself and an invitation to lunch with him on the day of eleclion .

( Laughter . ) Those vvere placed in a parcel with stamped envelopes ready 10 be sent to a Bro . Bennett to address and post for him . This Bro . Bennett he had known a great many years , and although he had not seen him for years he thought he had better send his letters to him in a parcel for him to address to the Past Masters and those whose addresses he ( Bro . Barfield ) did not know . An old friend from Ipswich called uoon him while confined

to his room , and he very cordially took the letters , and they vvere directed and posted by him for him ( Bro . Barfield ) . This vvas no doubt the gentleman in Ipswich vvho was not a Mason and who was alluded to in the complaint . To this extent he was , no doubt , his ( Bro . Barfield ' s ) agent , and thus far he felt responsible for his actions . If he was wrong in sending his Masonic biography to his friends and an invitation to some sli ght hospitality after

travelling so many miles , he only regretted the steps that were taken , being perfectly ui . aware that canvassing was not allowed , and that il vvas improper to invite country friends to partake of refreshment after their journey to London . He understood also that exception was taken to the form of his letter , in which he said he should be pleased to meet his country friends and supporters—that he thereby intended to include strangers as well as friends .

lhat vvas not so . What he meant to convey was this , that his friends who were supporting him were welcome . ( Laughter . ) He never issued those notes broadcast among those vvho supported him and whom he did not personally know . If that had been done it was not by his order or sanction , or even vvith his knowledge ; and it vvas a fact that no London Mason was present at that luncheon—( laughter)—and only one brother from Ipswich that

United Grand Lodge Of England.

he could ascertain . Some of his friends who vvere there cama f ron Liverpool , Birmingham , Pontefract , Bedford , Colchester , Hampshire , anJ the Isle of Wight . Those from the Isle of Wight were forced to stay \ London all night ; surely they required refreshment when they arrived * ( Laughter . ) The records of his Masonic career vvould , he trusted , bea testimony to the fact that if he had erred his fault vvas an error of jU ( i-

ment ( applause ) rather than wilful misconduct on his part . ( Cheers . ) if . 33 Stewardships to the Charities showed the active part he had taken | the concerns of the Order , while his rank in the Craft and in his province showed the work he had done in Masonry . ( Hear , hear . ) With these recommendations , his own statements and qualifications , he trusted the

brethren would believe him when he declared that he had no intention of acting otherwise than in a straightforward , honourable , and Masonic man . ner in his candidature for the high and important office to vvhich the bre ! thren had elected him . With these remarks he left himself in the hands ol Grand Lodge . ( Cheers . )

Bro . / E . J . M'INTYRE , Q . C . P . G ., Warden ; M . W . Pro . Grand Master and brethren , We have now heard the complaint that was made tothe Board of General Purposes and their report thereon , and I think they have done wisely , considering the very great importance of the matter that is brought before us , that they should have referred it to Grand Lodge in the terms o ( the report ; and in rising on this occasion to state my views before Grand

Lodge I beg most distinctly to say that it is not my intention and I hope it is not the wish of any one in this Grand Lodge , to cast any censure upon the brother vvho has been elected Grand Treasurer ; but [ must say at the same time that there is nothing more dear , or ought to be nothing more dear , to the heart of a Mason than that our elections should be characterised by the greatest purity —( hear , hear , ar . d cheers )—that nn

entertainment and no treating should be given to any single Mason to induce him to vote for anybody to that , the only elective office except the Grand Mastership . The elections must be fair on every occasion . [ n parliamentary and municipal elections if any treating whatever , or anv entertainment of friends whatever of the candidate takes place , his election vvill be declared void , and during that Parliament he vvould not be able to

sit in Parliament . If that is so in political matters , ought not we to tak care that there is not the slightest suspicion of any undue influence in taking our elections in Masonry ? I am certain from what our worshi pful brother has said , that he had no intention of inducing the brethren improperly to vote for him ; but it would be a most dangerous practice if entertainments vvere to be given to Masons and friends of Masons—if thev were

to consent to hospitality to secure a vote . M . W . G . M ., it does appear to me lhat under these circumstances , whilst we cast no imputation upon the very worshipful brother vvho occupies the post of Grand Treasurer , I do ask Grand Lodge to severely condemn any treating or entertainment extended by candidates for the Grand Treasurership , or the Board oi General Purposes , ar any other elective place that brethren may aspire too .

The Grand Master should , through you , M . W . Pro . G . Master , condemn such a practice , and say it is against ihe honour of Masonry , that it is contrary to our old traditions , vvhich have been great , and had made Masonry vvhat it is in this country—have made Masons to be considered to be men ol honour and integrity , who vvould not do one single thing to bias the wishes

or votes of anyone . Therefore , Most Worshipful . Grand Master , I shall beg to move that this Grand Lodge passes a vole that it is undesirable and un-Masonic to invite brethren to any entertainment whatever at the time that the person giving the entertainment is a candidate for an elective office in Grand Lodge .

Bro . SAMUEL POPE , Q . C , P . G . D ., Pro . Grand Master : I ask to be allowed to second the resolution , and I do so vvith the greater pleasure , because I am sure that Grand Lodge will accept as cordially and completely as I do the explicit disavowal of our worthy Grand Treasurer of any intention to do anything un-Masonic . I would not myself have taken any part in the discussion , or have seconded the resolution , if it involved a vote of

censure upon a . worthy Mason , who , received upon his election the sanction of so large a number of brethren . But , on the other hand , I agree with our Bro . M'lntyre that nothing can possibly be more fatal to the true interests of Masonry , to the true dignity of the Craft , to the hig h reputation in vvhich the ofiice of Grand Treasurer has been held in Grand Lodge , 11 we were to hesitate to express our disapproval in general terms of such practices as vvere alleged to have taken place . ( Hear , hear . ) Whether

they did take place or not vve need not enquire . Our worthy Grand Ireasurer declares with that explicit disavowal , which , I for one , accept with the most complete belief , as far as he was concerned , he had no act , part , or lot in any such transaction . Therefore , I think we may content ouiselves with passing in a general way an expression of our opinion , and allow it to be recorded that that opinion conveys no expression of censure at the present

moment on anybody . , Bro . G . P . BRITTEN , when the Earl of Carnarvon vvas about to put the motion , said : M . W . G . M . —Before you put theresolution I should like to say a word or two . I think the question now before Grand Lodge is in something of an unfortunate manner in the nature of a complaint against tir . Barfield . Now , I suppose you all know that Bro . Barfield is in this res P . e neither the best nor the worst of sinners . Those candidates for the olnc

of Grand Treasurer for some years past have conducted a very active cai vass , and 1 think I am not wrong in saying they have extended a . ? ^ liberal hospitality . I cannot find words strong enough to express my 0 l ?'"' of the scandal and discredit to Masonry vvhich it involves ; and while 1 vey fully concur in the motion proposed by Bro . M'lntyre , I should have D pleased if he had carried it much further , and made it understood that 1 not meant to apply only to Bro . Barfield's actions and his alleged onenc

asking a non-Mason to take part in it , but it should be particularly p 01 . to the active canvass and the generous hospitality vvhich accompany which is a scandal and discredit to Freemasonry . ( Cheers . ) _ . gr 0 > Bro . RICHARD EVE , P . G . T ., was sorry for these observations ot ^ Britten , which he felt were meant to apply to other Grand Treasurer ? . _ then explained that before his election he canvassed and "gave refres hm A but he scouted the idea that breihren would be brought up from the c < n J ^ J just for the sake of a half-crown lunch . His invitations were only exte

to the Masons of his own province . -. was Bro . the Earl of CARNARVON : Brethren , I can quite agree that 1 j well that this matter should be brought before Grand Lodge . ( Hea * - , & I also think that it is well that Grand Lodge shows its unrnistakeabie ^ that this question with admissions and recriminations , which . easiy ^ grow into personalities we should all regret , be now broug ht to ^ elusion . ( Hear , hear . ) Bro . Barfield has made a clear statel ? ^ an has acknowledged what I believe to be vvhat he said , viz ., that it * * error of judgment ( hear , hear ) , and I think also that this Grand