Page 316 - Cornelius Hedges Story

303 The Cornelius Hedges Story

prosperous and growing year. Two new lodges were planted along
the line of the Northern Pacific Railroad, one at Glendive, farthest
east, the other at Livingston, where the Park branch leaves the main
line. Both have proved permanent lodges.
Some of the extraordinary expenses of the year had been $200 for
a monument to Past Grand Master Pomeroy, $70 for pictures of our
first Grand Master, John J. Hill, and $140 for Grand Lodge jewels.
At this communication the law was changed so as to require the
election of proxies by the Lodge, taking away the right of personal
appointment by the officer. With this was coupled the right for either
regular officer to cast the vote of absent ones, if not represented
by proxy, so that if either the Worshipful Master or either Warden
were present, the lodge should have three full votes. A provision
of our law that no lodge shall draw out more for mileage than it
pays in dues would not allow full representation of several of
our, smaller lodges but for the latter provision.It always has been
and still is the case that some of our lodges draw out for mileage
and per diem every cent that they pay in dues, and have never
contributed a dollar to the general expenses of Grand Lodge.
Grand Master reported that only one of the four District Deputies
had made report, and that further legislation would be necessary
to insure any beneficial .results. Such legislation was had giving
greater power and dignity to the office and providing compensation.
The Grand Master in his address called attention to the fact that
the Worshipful Master of one of the Butte lodges during the year
had published pamphlets ridiculing the Great Light of Masonry and
thereby causing great scandal among members of the fraternity. In
very calm, conservative manner the Grand Master stated the true
position that all Masons should occupy on this vital question, but
left it to the Grand Lodge to deal with the case. It went to a special
committee, which brought in a scathing report, characterizing it as
“high treason” to the most vital principles of Masonry. The report
was unanimously adopted and the Worshipful Master was deposed
from office, and another committee appointed to formulate charges
to be served by the Grand Secretary, requiring him to appear and
answer at the next Annual Communication. If any other Mason in
the jurisdiction entertains similar views, he has kept very quiet about
them ever since.