E. H. ADDINGTON

72 PKOCEEDINGS OF THE GRAND LODGE
during the ensuing ,year; I also regret to comment on that fact.
It seems to me that either the Brethren afe not careful enough
in the selection of their officers or that many members accept
office without regard to the circumstances which may later on
compel them to resign. It would be infinitely better not to
accept office unless the assurance of serving out the full term
was present at the time of acceptance. Every officer of a Lodge
is elected for a whole year and binds himself to serve for that
time. It is entirely improper to place the Grand-Master under
the necessity, for the best interests of the Fraternity, to accept
resignations which would never be forthcoming if the Brethren
gave due consideration to circumstances before accepting the
honors of the Fraternity.
On August 19th, I refused to Friendship Lodge No. 215,
Saline, La., a permission to solicit funds from Masons other
than members of their Lodge for the purpose of building a
new Lodge room.
On August 28th, I recommended the appointment of Henry
Newman of Crowley Lodge No. 243 as Representative of the
Grand Lodge of Quebec near the Grand Lodge of Louisiana, vice
Julius Levin, deceased, and of J. Bart Davis of Perfect Union
•No. 1 as the Representative of the Grand Lodge of Porto Rico
near the Grand Lodge of Louisiana, vice Eusebio Ruiz, deceased.
On September 13th, I recommended the appointment of R.
W. John F. Hicks as Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge
of Louisiana near the Grand Lodge of Arkansas, vice Geo. A.
Donalley, resigned.
On that date, I relinquished for a time the duties of my office
to R. W. Brother E. H. Addington, District Deputy Grand
Master, as, for a period of two weeks, serious illness in my family
necessitated my entire attention at home.
On September 19th, I received an invitation from the public
school authorities of Caddo to lay the corner stone of the Queensboro
school according to the customs and usages of the Craft.
Unable to be present, I delegated the authority to R. W. Brother
A. W. Cheesman, D. D. G. M. of the Second Masonic District.