views and judgment thereon in his report, that your committee do not deem it advisable to do more than express their union and satisfaction therewith, and to recommend that the Grand Lodge approve of the acts and doings of the Grand Sire in relation to the Order in New York, since the Session of October, 1838, as contained in his report. The committee further report, that they duly notified James R. Rose, of American Lodge, at Albany, of their appointment, and readiness to hear him on the subject of the petition of the Past Grands of the Order in that city. Brother Rose accordingly met your committee, and stated to them all his views on the subject connected with said petition. Your committee, having duly weighed and considered the facts and reasoning of the brother, and having carefully examined the whole proceedings in relation to the Order in the state of New York, as found amongst the records and the archives of this Grand Lodge, with the most ardent desire on their part to ascertain facts, and to do justice, are not able to discern any just cause for recommending to the Grand Lodge any change in the received decision of this Grand Lodge on the subject. Your committee are of opinion, that only one grand charter for a Grand Lodge can constitutionally be granted in a state. Your committee have also considered the preamble and resolution offered by Rep. Small, of New York, and recommend its adoption. HOWELL HOPKINS, Chairman. The question then recurred on the preamble and resolution as submitted by Rep. Small, of New York, on Wednesday afternoon, and recommended by the committee, and was decided in the affirmative. Rep. Small, of New York, offered the following, which was adopted. Resolved, That the Grand Secretary be directed to furnish James R. Rose with a copy of the report of the committee on the State of the Order in New York, to be by him communicated to the persons connected with him at Albany and Troy. P. G. Sire Wildey offered the following amendment to the Constitution, viz: Add at the end of the 10th line of Article III., of the Constitution, the following words: "If, however, any of the above elective officers shall fail to appear to be installed into their respective offices at the time provided, the particular office shall be declared vacant, and the Grand Lodge shall in that event, proceed to a new election to fill such vacancy, and the officer or officers so elected shall be accordingly installed." The several communications received by P. G. Sire Perkins during the last year, were, on motion, referred to the Committee of Correspondence. Rep. Small, of New York, offered the following, which was adopted. Resolved, That the Grand Secretary have 2,500 copies of the Grand Sire's report, from the type now set, printed, to distribute to the several Grand and Subordinate Lodges under the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge; and that he have a sufficient number of the same bound in the printed proceedings, and omit to print the same in the body of the proceedings. Rep. Small, of New York, moved that a committee of three be appointed to carry into effect the resolution, which motion prevailed. The Chair named Rep. Lucas, of Louisiana; P. G. Sire Wildey; and Rep. Ridgely, of Ohio, the committee. Rep. Hopkins, of Pennsylvania, from the Committee on the Work of the Order, presented the following report, which was accepted. To the R. W. Grand Lodge of the United States: The Committee on the Work of the Order, report that they have had under consideration so much of the Grand Sire's report as relates to visiting and travelling cards, and having examined the correspondence between this Grand Lodge and the A. M. C. of England, on the subject, respectfully report: That no individual claiming to be admitted to visit or deposite his card in a lodge of these United States, shall be so admitted unless he shall present a regular card, signed by the N. G., attested by the Secretary, under the seal of the lodge; and that the same be attested by the signature of the Grand Secretary of a Grand Lodge; or, if from England, by the Grand Secretary of the A. M. C.; and unless he shall be able to work his way by the regular S. P. To. and G., known to the Order. HOWELL HOPKINS, Rep. Small, of New York, from the Committee of Finance, presented the following report. To the R. W. Grand Lodge of the United States: The Committee of Finance would beg leave to recommend the following appropriations. For the Grand Secretary's services per year, the sum of one hundred and twenty-five dollars. For the services of the Grand Messenger, the sum of two dollars per day. The committee would further report-that on examination of the Grand Treasurer's account, they find the amount of funds in his hands at the close of the last Session, six hundred and twenty-two dollars, twenty-nine cents, and has received since that period, the sum of fourteen hundred and eighty-seven dollars and twenty cents, making the gross amount of two thousand one hundred and nine dollars, and forty-nine cents; of which amount There has been paid in discharge of sundry accounts regularly ordered by this Grand Lodge, the sum of one thousand two hundred and forty-five dollars, and nine cents; leaving a balance in the Treasurer's hands of eight hundred and sixty-four dollars, and forty cents. The committee would recommend the following resolution: Resolved, That the Grand Sire, on receiving the Plate for the Diploma, and one thousand copies stricken therefrom, he be authorized to draw his order upon the Grand Treasurer for the balance of five hundred and forty-one dollars. WILSON SMALL, On motion, the report was accepted and the resolution adopted. Resolved, That a committee be appointed for the purpose of reporting to the Grand Lodge, what disposition shall be made of the Diploma, and in what manner it shall be disposed of. The Chair named as the committee, Rep's Ridgely, of Ohio; Hopkins, of Pennsylvania; and Marley, of Maryland. P. G. Sire Wildey moved that a committee of three be appointed to superintend the printing, which motion prevailed. The Chair named P. G. Sire Wildey; Rep's Ridgely, of Ohio; and Lucas, of Louisiana. Rep. Ridgely, of Ohio, from the special committee to whom was referred the subject of disposition of the Diploma, presented the following report, which was adopted. To the R. W. Grand Lodge of the United States: The committee to whom was assigned the duty of reporting what disposition shall be made by the Grand Lodge of the Diploma, and in what manner the same shall be attested, when issued, respectfully report: That they recommend that all Diplomas issued to members of the Grand Lodge of the United States, be attested in the manner in which charters emanating from this body are now authenticated; and that any number which may be required by any state Grand Lodge, Grand Encampment, or subordinate lodges and Encampments, under the immediate jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the United States, may be issued by the Grand Secretary, and that the said state Grand Lodges, Grand Encampments or subordinate lodges or Encampments, obtaining the same, shall attest them in the same manner, in which they now authenticate official documents issued by them. They further recommend that each member of this Grand Lodge be furnished with one copy free of expense, and that Grand Lodges be furnished with such number of copies as they may require at the price of $1 50 each; and members receiving the same from the Grand Lodges, to pay therefor, not less than $2 each, to the state Grand Lodge. JAMES L. RIDGELY, Rep. Ridgely, of Ohio, offered the following, which was adopted. Resolved, That the Grand Secretary shall not deliver any Diplomas, unless the cash be furnished with the order. Rep. Hopkins, of Pennsylvania, called up the amendments to the Constitution, offered at the last Communication, page 233, relative to a Grand Corresponding Secretary, which were read and unanimously adopted. Rep Ridgely, of Ohio, from the Committee of Correspondence, presented the following report. To the R. W. Grand Lodge of the United States: The Corresponding Committee to whom leave was given to prepare and present their report at the next Annual Session, ask leave to report the following resolution: Resolved, That the Grand corresponding Secretary be and he is hereby directed to prepare and print an abstract of such subjects contained in said Correspondence, as may be important to be considered, and at each Annual Communication hereafter, to make a detailed report of the subjects of correspondence, requiring the action of the Grand Lodge. JAMES L. RIDGELY, On motion, the report was accepted, and the resolution adopted. Rep. Hopkins, of Pennsylvania, offered the following, which were adopted. Resolved, That at the session of the Grand Lodge this afternoon, nominations will be received for Corresponding Secretary. That an election be then had for such officer, who shall be thereon installed, in due order. Resolved, That the salary of the Corresponding Secretary shall, till otherwise ordered, be fixed at $200 per annum. On motion, the Grand Lodge adjourned to meet this afternoon, at three o'clock. FRIDAY, 3 o'clock, P. M. The Grand Lodge met pursuant to adjournment: Present, the Officers and a due representation. Rep. Marley, of Maryland, moved that the Grand Lodge now proceed to nominate Grand Corresponding Secretary, which motion prevailed. Rep. Marley, of Maryland, nominated P. G. M. Robert Neilson. Rep. Hopkins, of Pennsylvania, nominated P. G. M. James L. Ridgely. Rep. Hewitt, of Pennsylvania, nominated P. G. Sire Thomas Wildey. The Chair declared the nominations closed. P. G. M. Ridgely asked to be excused from being a candidate. Rep. Hopkins, of Pennsylvania, moved that he be excused, which motion prevailed. Rep. Bain, of Virginia, said that he hoped P. G. M. Ridgely would consent to be a candidate, and moved that the nomination be re-opened, which was decided in the affirmative. Rep. Bain, of Virginia, nominated P. G. M. Ridgely, of Maryland, as Grand Corresponding Secretary. The Chair appointed Rep's Small, of New York, and Mathiot, of Illinois, as tellers. P. G. Sire Wildey asked leave to withdraw as a candidate, which was granted. The Grand Lodge then proceeded to ballot, and the tellers reported that P. G. M. Ridgely, had received a majority of the votes cast. Whereupon, the Grand Sire declared P. G. M. JAMES L. RIDGELY, of Maryland, duly elected Grand Corresponding Secretary. Rep. Hopkins, of Pennsylvania, moved that the Grand Lodge proceed to install the Grand Corresponding Secretary, which was concurred in. The Chair requested P. G. Sire Wildey, and Rep. Hopkins, of Pennsylvania, to present the Grand Corresponding Secretary elect, for installation, when P. G. M. Ridgely was regularly installed Grand Corresponding Secretary of the Grand Lodge of the United States. Rep. Small, of New York, from the Committee of Finance, presented the following report. To the R. W. Grand Lodge of the United States: The Committee of Finance report the following bill as correct, and recommend the adoption of the accompanying resolution. R. W. GRAND LODGE OF THE UNITED STATES, To Committee on Plate, To bill of John L. Frederick, for Diploma, L. Stevens, for printing and paper for 1,000 copies of DR. $650 00 320 00 $970 00 $430 00 $540 00 1 00 $541 00 1839. By cash from Grand Secretary, Balance, 1840, April 14. By cash paid for Bond for Diploma, Resolved, That on receiving the Plate for the Diploma, and 1,000 copies, the Grand Sire be authorized to draw his order on the Grand Treasurer for the above balance, if found correct. WILSON SMALL, A bill was presented from G. Secretary Cook, for extra services during the Session of 1838. Rep. Ridgely, of Ohio, moved that the bill be paid, which motion prevailed. On motion of Rep. Small, of New York, the Grand Lodge closed the Annual Session. |