THE ARCANE SCHOOLS - Fort Myers Beach Masonic Lodge No. 362

elect or reject their candidates is subsequently called "an inherent
privilege," which is not subject to a dispensation. The words are
explicit, and the right appears to be one guaranteed to every member so
long as he continues a member, and of which no bye-law can divest him
as
long as the paramount authority of the Thirty-nine General Regulations
is
admitted. I should say, then, that every member of a lodge present at
balloting for a candidate has a right to deposit his vote; and not only
a
right, but a duty which he is to be compelled to perform; since,
without
the unanimous consent of all present, there can be no election.
Our written laws are altogether silent as to the peculiar ceremonies
which
are to accompany the act of balloting, which has therefore been
generally
directed by the local usage of different jurisdictions. Uniformity,
however, in this, as in all other ritual observances, is to be
commended,
and I shall accordingly here describe the method which I have myself
preferred and practised in balloting for candidates, and which is the
custom adopted in the jurisdiction of South Carolina.[70]
The committee of investigation having reported favorably, the Master of
the lodge directs the Senior Deacon to prepare the ballot box. The mode
in
which this is accomplished is as follows:--The Senior Deacon takes the
ballot box, and, opening it, places all the white and black balls
indiscriminately in one compartment, leaving the other entirely empty.
He
then proceeds with the box to the Junior and Senior Wardens, who
satisfy
themselves by an inspection that no ball has been left in the
compartment
in which the votes are to be deposited. I remark here, in passing, that
the box, in this and the other instance to be referred to hereafter, is
presented to the inferior officer first, and then to his superior, that
the examination and decision of the former may be substantiated and
confirmed by the higher authority of the latter. Let it, indeed, be
remembered, that in all such cases the usage of masonic
_circumambulation_
is to be observed, and that, therefore, we must first pass the Junior's
station before we can get to that of the Senior Warden.
These officers having thus satisfied themselves that the box is in a
proper condition for the reception of the ballots, it is then placed
upon
the altar by the Senior Deacon, who retires to his seat. The Master
then
directs the Secretary to call the roll, which is done by commencing
with
the Worshipful Master, and proceeding through all the officers down to
the
youngest member. As a matter of convenience, the Secretary generally
votes