14.06.2013 Views

E. H. ADDINGTON

E. H. ADDINGTON

E. H. ADDINGTON

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

40 OUTLINE OP THE RISE AND PROGRESS<br />

Art. 267 permits an appeal from the decision of the Grand Master, if the<br />

motion is sustained by two-thirds of the members present.f<br />

The powers of the Grand Lodge are defined in the following articles:<br />

Art. 203 declares that the Grand Lodge takes no cognizance of any<br />

grievance until it has been submitted to the Symbolic Chamber of the Rite<br />

to which the lodge, or brother, applying for redress belongs..<br />

Art. 204 re-asserts the claim that the Grand Lodge is the sole legislator<br />

and regulator of symbolic lodges in the State, adding that it "exercises its<br />

powers directly, except in those cases specially delegated to the Symbolic<br />

Chambers."<br />

Art. 205. She, alone, has the right to recognize and establish all the<br />

Rites in accordance with the laws, good customs (bonnes mceurs and<br />

principles of Masonry,<br />

Art. 206. It appertains exclusively to it: 1st. To constitute and install<br />

the different symbolic lodges. 2d. To deliver them charters. 3d. to Propose,<br />

adopt or reject affiliations between it and foreign Masonic bodies. 4th. To<br />

decree definitely upon all questions, legislative, dogmatical, administrative, or<br />

pertaining to the regulations, not provided for by the general statutes, which<br />

are submitted to it by the different lodges, after having consulted the<br />

Symbolic Chambers, or the Chamber of the Rite to which the subject belongs<br />

upon which it is about to decree.<br />

Arts. 207 and 208 declare that the Grand Lodge will not constitute<br />

lodges in any country or State where a Supreme Masonic Power exists, and<br />

that it will not tolerate any other Masonic Power to establish symbolic<br />

lodges in the State of Louisiana.<br />

The powers delegated by the Grand Lodge to the Symbolic Chambers<br />

are specified in the following chapter of the code:<br />

TITLE II. CHAPTER II. Of the Formation of the Chambers of the Grand<br />

Lodge and the Powers specially conferred upon them.<br />

Art. 210. The Grand Lodge delegates certain special powers to three<br />

Chambers, viz.:<br />

1st. The Symbolic Chamber of the Ancient and accepted York Rite.<br />

2d. The Symbolic Chamber of the ancient Scotch Rite. •<br />

3d. The Symbolic Chamber of the French Rite.<br />

Art. 211. The officers of each Symbolic Chamber are an Illustrious<br />

President, Senior Grand Warden, Junior Grand Warden, Grand Orator, and<br />

Grand Secretary, appointed by each of the three Chambers and proclaimed<br />

in the Central Committee.*<br />

tArticles 269—273 provide that every member of the Grana Lodge and the Symbolic<br />

Chambers shall pay one dollar for each meeting, whether he is present or absent, to be<br />

collected semi-annually by the Grand Secretary; any member remaining in arrears after<br />

one months' notice, to have his name erased from the roll of membership, and also deprived<br />

of his office, if he holds one, with the privilege of re-instatement on paying his<br />

airrears within one month after receiving notice of such action. By Art. 329, every<br />

brother admitted into the Grand Lodge paid, "previous to taking the oath, five dollars<br />

for the expense of Us inauguration;" and by Art. 331, every member of the<br />

Grand Lodge "paid "annually three dollars, payable in. the first quarter of each<br />

year."<br />

•Articles 223—230 are devoted to the "Central Committee of Election," which was<br />

composed of all the members of the Grand Lodge, and was presided over by the Grand<br />

Master. The special duties assigned it were the election of the Grand Officers,<br />

the appointment of the members composing the Symbolic Chambers, and the permanent<br />

committees. Its sessions were held on the degree of Master; no visitor -was ever<br />

admitted; none but members were entitled to vote, which right was forfeited if in<br />

arrears. The Grand Master. Deputy Grand Master, and the two Grand Wardens were<br />

elected by receiving an absolute majority of all the votes cast, but a plurality<br />

vote was sufficient to elect the other Grana Officers, with the exception of the<br />

Grand Deacons, who were appointed by the Grand Master. Scattered throughout the<br />

code are a number of articles relating to the "Central Committee;" one makes<br />

It their duty to examine the credentials of the representatives of the subordinate<br />

lodges, another fixes their time of meeting,' etc.

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!