Prerogative Of The M.W.G.M.

PREROGATIVE OF THE M . W . G . M .

LONDON , SATURDAY , NOVEMBER 2 , 18 G 7 .

We notice with regret in onr coltmms a letter , elated from Coiistantmoule and signed "A Past Master , " Avhich certainly very ill-becomes a Past Master , who ought to knoAv the landmarks and constitutions . Were ive to allow this matter to

be discussed Ave should be doing neither more nov less than constituting our journal a tribunal to try the M . W . G . M ., and such , doubtless , is the notion of the Past Master aud of many others . It is transparent that the brethren in Constantinople

think that it is their province to sit in judgment on the G . M ., and this is an idea not confined to the latitude of Constantinople ; it is one of those notions Avhich is particularly calculated to do mischief and prevent the legitimate development of the Oraft .

If there is one duty of the Grand Master ' s Avhich entails difficulty upon him it is the selection of delegates to represent him as D . Cr . M . and P . G . M ., and this duty , hoAvever much in its exercise it affects the constituency , can seldom be

discussed with safety . Personal reasons enter so strongly into the selection of these dignitaries that , Avere they alloAved to be consulted , instead of a fraternity Ave should soon be divided by numerous causes of dissension . HOAV often does it happen ,

for instance , that a G . M . wishes to name a particular brother to represent him in a province , but personal reasons , connected , perhaps , Avith pecuniary or social circumstances , make it impossible either for the G . M . to name , or for the proposed P . G . M .

to accept , and another less-desired brother is appointed . It is , indeed , impossible to lay bare all the public and private administrative considerations which affect a G . M . in his appointments , and hence it has been found Avell to respect the exercise of prerogative .

In the case before us AYS find abundant reason for hesitation in infringing the rules recognised by Masons . In a particular district , a D . G . M . —a man of eminent endoAvments and high political and social position—retires . These is no one of

the same standing to replace him , and , according to the statement , the G . M . pauses before he makes a new appointment , as ivell he mi ght . We are then told that a nomination has been given to a personage as highly placed , but it is not knoAvn whether he has accepted , and the brethren are not informed that he has accepted—Ave should be

surprised if they Avere . Another topic of discussion is that a D . G . M ., a person highly placed , has heen appointed for a portion of the district , and yet tiie District Grand Secretary has no official information .

All this appear to us a very simple matter : arrangements being incomplete , and the boundaries for the future organisation of the districts not being perfected , the District G . Sec . does not know Avhat very likely even the G . Sec . of England does not

know , and Ave should recommend tho parties in the districts to Avait in full confidence that the M . W . G . M . will do his best for the Craft , as , according to the account before us , ho appears to be trying to do , in a position beset with responsibility .

The natural result of such discussions points the moral . We are told the reputed nomination to the D . G . Mastership of Turkey has caused much surprise , and , Ave should conceive , much satisfaction ; but Ave are told that it ivas generally understood the M . W . G . M . intended conferring the

honour on an eminent Mason . Here Ave have the name of an eminent and distinguished Mason lugged in , and set forth for controversy , inflicting on him a great , and most likely , a most undeserved injustice . We learn that "it was generally

understood "—a most admirable authority , though IIOAV it got to the other end of Europe does not appear —that a most estimable nobleman intended , and as " generally understood " it must be conceived had promised , to make a brother D . G . M ., and

walks him over summarily . Thus there are an aggrieved and an aggriever , and all because some person or persons choose to assume that the M . W . G . M . had intentions which he never held or

expressed to any one in Constantinople or else-Avhere for all that appears . Under such circumstances we are lugged into this unpleasant and unsatisfactory proceeding and asked to give the authors of these insinuations

some information about the appointments . Why Ave should be called upon to discharge such a mission after the services Ave have rendered the

Craft Ave cannot understand , and Ave bog respectfully to decline the task of emissary to the authorities . We must also express our dissent from the assumption that it has been the custom for the authorities to instruct D . G . Secretaries to

infoi'm the lodges of appointments being made , and there does not in this case appear to be any reason to make the precedent .