pp. 10

regular communication shall agree to the same it shall become a part of these By-Laws.

Add an additional Section, as follows: The Grand Master shall, on the first day after the organization of the Grand Lodge, at each annual communication, appoint the following Standing Committees, viz. :

A Committee on Returns and Work of Lodges - To consist of three members, to whom shall be referred all the returns and work of subordinate lodges, and whose duty shall be to examine the same and report to this Grand Lodge.

A Committee on Petitions and Grievances- To consist of three members, to whom shall be referred all appeals to this Grand Lodge, and all petitions for new lodges.

A Committee on Finance and Accounts- To consist of three members whose duty shall be to examine and report on all accounts to them referred, and examine and report on the financial condition of the Grand Lodge; and

A Committee to Examine Visiting Brethren- To consist of two members.

On motion, the following amendments were offered to the Constitution of the Grand Lodge, viz.:

Add to list of officers in first section: A Grand Orator.

On page 4th, the Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, Grand Senior and Junior Wardens, Grand Secretary, Grand Treasurer, Grand Orator, Grand Chaplain, and Grand Tyler shall be annually elected by ballot on the second day of each Grand Annual Communication, and they shall be installed into their respective offices before the adjournment of the Grand Lodge, and shall hold the same until their successors shall be duly elected and installed, and all other officers whose election is not provided for herein, shall be annually appointed by the Grand Master for the time being.

In all elections and questions which shall come before the Grand Lodge for its action, every subordinate lodge shall be entitled to one vote collectively from its representation agreed on amongst themselves, the Grand Master one vote, the Deputy Grand Master one vote, the Past Grand Masters one vote collectively.

Past Grand masters, members of subordinate lodges, under the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge, not representatives, one vote collectively, and all questions and elections shall be decided by a majority of the votes given.

pp. 22-23

The Grand Lodge was called to labor. Present:

M.W.A. Jonas, G.M.

A. Dunlap, S.G.W.

H. Dills, J.G.W.

M.R.G.A. Patterson, G.C. p.t.

W.D. McCann, D. G. Sec.

P. Coffman, G. Treas.

M. Help, S.G.D.

J. Crockett, J.G.D.

A. V. Putman, G.M. p.t.

Jno. Gregory, G.P.

A.C. Dixon, G.T. p.t.

M.J. Kelly, G.S.B. p.t.

The Grand Master then announced that petitions were first in order; there being none, reports from committees were next in order.

The Committee on Returns and Work of Lodges made the following report:

The Committee upon Returns and Work beg leave to make the following report: That they have examined the returns of the following lodges, viz, :

Nos. 1,3, 4 and 6, and find the work and returns of Lodges Nos. 1,3,6 to be correct, and in accordance with the ancient usages of Masonry. The returns of Springfield Lodge, No. 4, the majority of the committee think to be incorrect, in not showing the date of the reception of petitions for initiations, passing and raising of candidates, as laid down in the form of returns to be observed by subordinate lodges. Your committee had before them the records of said Lodge No. 4, and find that that lodge has, in several instances, received the petition and initiated the candidate on the same evening; and also have passed and raised candidates at the same sitting of the lodge- which course of work the majority of your committee believe to be in violation of the spirt of Masonry.

The majority of your committee would further report, that they have examined the returns and work of Macon Lodge, and repost that said lodge in receiving petitions and initiation of candidates, and passing and raising candidates, have fallen into the same error as Springfield Lodge, No. 4. Your committee would recommend that said lodge have its dispensation continued for one year. Your committee would further recommend, that Macon Lodge pay to this Grand Lodge the sum of five dollars, agreeable to the By-Laws of this Grand Lodge, and also a charity fund of three dollars.

Western Star Lodge- Your committee would further report that from the returns of this lodge, they have no means whereby to judge of the work of said lodge; but would recommend that the dispensation of said lodge be continued for another year by this Grand Lodge.

Your committee would recommend the adoption of the following resolutions:

1. Resolved, That this Grand Lodge instruct all the subordinate lodges under its jurisdiction to not act on any petition unless the same has laid over at least one month, or form one stated meeting until the next regular stated meeting of the lodge.

2. Resolved, That the Grand Secretary be directed to furnish each lodge under the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge with at least two copies of the Constitution and By-Laws of the Grand Lodge, and also, with at least a like number of copies of the proceeding of this Grand Lodge.

3. Resolved, That no subordinate lodge ought to receive the petition of any applicant, whose known place of residence is nearer some other lodge than the lodge to which the application is made, without the lodge in his circuit shall recommend his petition. All of which is respectfully submitted.

H. DILLS,

MAT. STACY,

Committee.

Brother Shepherd made the following Minority Report.

The minority of the committee appointed to examine the returns and work of the subordinate lodges beg leave to report, that we are under the necessity of differing with a majority of your committee: First, as it regards the work of Springfield Lodge, No. 4, and are not prepared to make a difference of opinion as a lodge (as it regards the receiving of members, of which the lodge should be the judge,) a violation of the spirit of Masonry, and therefore beg leave to differ in opinion with the majority of your committee on this point.

Second, the minority beg leave to differ also with the majority of the committee in their report on the Macon Lodge, and would recommend that they be granted a charter by this Grand Lodge.

The minority are prepared to agree with the majority of the committee on the other matter in their report.

All of which is respectfully submitted by

JAMES SHEPHERD.

pp. 126-127

Bro McKinney offered the following resolution, which was adopted:

Resolved, That Brothers Grand Secretary offered the following resolution which on motion was adopted:

Resolved, The M.W. Grand Lodge, highly appreciating the eloquent and able address of the Grand Orator, delivered this night, request a copy of the same for publication, and that it be published with the proceedings of the communication.

Bro. Lavely asked and obtained leave of absence for the balance of the communication.

On motion, the Grand Lodge was called off until 8 o'clock to-morrow morning.

____________

Wednesday Morning, 8 o'clock

The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge was called to labor. Present, the same officers and members as yesterday.

Bro. D. G. Master offered the following resolution:

Resolved, That at the Annual Communication of this Grand Lodge each member thereof appear with his appropriate Jewel.

Bro. Morse offered the following amendment to the By-Laws, which lies over until the next communication:

Resolved, That the first section of the By-Laws be amended by striking out Jacksonville and inserting Peoria.

Bro. Grand Secretary offered the following resolution:

Resolved, That hereafter, on the first day of each Grand Annual Communication of this Grand Lodge, the Grand Master appoint a Committee on Work and Return of Lodges Under Dispensation; which was, on motion, adopted.

The Committee on Returns and Work made a report, accompanied with two resolutions, which, on motion, were adopted, as follows:

The Committee on Returns and Work of Lodges beg leave further to report, that they have examined the returns of Bodley Lodge, No. 1, and find that in several instances said lodge initiated candidates where their petitions had not been twenty days; otherwise they find returns of said lodge correct, with the exception of the want of an account current.

They have examined the work of Pekin Lodge, U.D., and find it correct and dues paid; no by-laws presented to your committee; said lodge praying a charter.

Resolved, That your committee recommend that M.W. Grand Master be authorized to grant said Pekin Lodge a charter whenever said lodge shall have for the same and send into the M.W. Grand Master a copy of their by-laws are found correct.

They further report that no returns have been made from the following lodges: Nos. 2, 6, 10, 13, 14, 16, 21, 22 and 23; Lodges U.D., Monmouth, Farmington, Mt. Vernon and Kaskaskia.

In closing this report your committee would say, that from the returns and papers presented from different lodges, they find them in a prosperous condition; yet your committee are of the opinion that some lodges work too rapidly, inasmuch as they initiate a candidate at a regular communication; then the lodge adjourns over for a day or two, then pass the same candidate; then the lodge adjourns over for a day or two more, then raise the same candidate.

Your committee would recommend the following resolution:

Resolved, That the Grand Lodge of Illinois would recommend to the lodges under its jurisdiction to do all their business in a lodge of Master Masons except conferring the first and second degrees. They would further recommend, that all ballotings for candidates for initiation be taken at a regular communication, and that no ballot for a candidate for initiation be taken at an adjourned lodge, unless it be in case of emergency, which should be so stated.

CARDING JACKSON,

PETER SWEAT,

CHAS. HOWARD.

The Sr. Grand Warden offered the following amendment to the By-Laws:

Resolved, That the first section of the By-Laws be amended by striking out Jacksonville and inserting the City of Alton.

Which lies over until the next communication.

Communications were presented by the Grand Secretary from the Grand Lodges of Virginia, Mississippi and Pennsylvania, which after bring read were reffered to the Committee on Foreign Correspondence.