Page 9 - MFM July 2019 W

Old Tiler Talks - Electioneering

MWPGM Carl Claudy

“ e New Brother’s face showed a bad case of peeve, and “You don’t realize that Masonry is bigger than the
his voice re ected it as he greeted the Old Tiler in the individual, that the lodge is bigger than its o cers, that
anteroom. the positions in line are greater than the men who ll
them.
“S’matter, son?” inquired the Old Tiler. “You look like
a cross between a thunder cloud and the Black Hole of “A Master may make or mar a lodge. If he is a good
Calcutta!’’ Master, well-liked, popular, able, attentive to his duties
and enthusiastic in his work, the lodge goes forward. If
“Politics!” snapped the New Brother. “I thought it was bad only enthusiasm and faithfulness recommend him and
form, undigni ed, un-Masonic to electioneer for o cers. he lacks ability, and the respect and liking of his fellows,
It’s bad enough any time, but when they electioneer for and he has not the equipment to rule, the lodge will go
one who isn’t in line for promotion and to throw out one backwards. Smith is a nice fellow faithful, enthusiastic.
who has served years in the chairs, I think it’s terrible!” But he has more from the neck down than from the ears
up. Jones hasn’t attended lodge much, but he is a brainy
“Yes, yes, go on,” encouraged the Old Tiler. “Get it all out man, accustomed to preside, knows men and a airs, and,
of your system.” if he bears out the judgment of the brethren, will carry
this lodge to new heights.
“Tonight they elected Bill Jones Junior Warden. He doesn’t
attend regularly, does he? And Smith, who was in line “Smith was given his chance for four years. In that time he
for promotion, was dropped. Smith never missed a night could not demonstrate to the satisfaction of his brethren
last year and did his best as Senior Deacon. Jones is more that he would make a good Master. It was a kindness to
popular than Smith, and may make a better o cer, but drop him now and not let him serve two more years. It is
the point is that Smith worked and Jones never has. So I’m hard to be told ‘we don’t want you,’ but the lodge showed
peeved!” wisdom in choosing as Junior Warden a man in whom it
believes, rather than merely rewarding faithful e ort.
“Wiser heads than yours have been peeved at politics in a
lodge,” answered the Old Tiler. “It’s a di cult question. By “I am sure the Master made a nice speech to Smith and
Masonic usage any electioneering is taboo. e unwritten thanked him for his work. His brethren will show him they
law and the theory contend for a free choice of o cers like him as a brother if not as a Junior Warden. Smith will
by unbiased votes. But men are men rst and Masons not be as peevish about it as are you. He has been a Mason
afterwards, and politics always have been played. I know long enough to know that the majority rule is the only rule
of no way to stop a brother from telling another brother on which a Masonic lodge can be conducted. He won’t
how he ought to vote!” understand his own limitations, or believe he couldn’t be
as good an o cer as Jones, but he will bow to the decision
“ at doesn’t dispose of the injustice of Smith,” answered of his fellows and keep on doing the best he can. at is
the New Brother. “It isn’t right.” Masonry at its best. Politics is often Masonry at its worst,
but in the long run the right men get chosen to do the right
“ e majority thought it was right,” countered the Old work. Sometimes it’s a bit hard on the man, but the good
Tiler. “Now that Jones has the job, I’ll tell you that I knew Mason is willing to su er for the love he bears his mother
Smith wouldn’t get it. He has been faithful to his work, lodge.”
never missed a night, done his best. But his best just wasn’t
good enough. You speak of Jones being more popular than “As a peeve-remover you are a wonder!” smiled the New
Smith. ere must be a reason, and if he is better liked Brother. “But I wonder how you’d like to be supplanted by
he’ll make a better o cer.” another Tiler?”

“But it is still an injustice.” e New Brother was stubborn. “When the lodge can nd a better servant, I shall be glad
to go,” answered the Old Tiler simply. ‘’I try to be a Mason
“You argue from the standpoint of the man who believes rst, and an Old Tiler afterwards!”
that a man elected or appointed to be junior Steward has
a neck-hold on the job ahead of him,” answered the Old
Tiler. “According to your idea any junior Steward who
attends lodge and does his work ought to be elected to
the succeeding position each year as a reward of merit.
Actually the job, not the man, is important. e good of
the lodge is more important than reward for the man.
Montana Freemason Page 9 July 2019 Volume 95 No. 5