Masonic Intelligence.

putting them into the hands of the brothers as they entered the room , thereby preventing their exercising a free choice in the election . He considered that a great evil , and he did not see how they wore to get rid of it , except by adopting his resolution , and taking the votes in future by show of hands . Br . the Rev . Dr . Carver seconded the motion , considering that the list system ought to be put an end to . Br . John Hervey agreed Avith the previous speakers , that it was quite time some

better mode of election of the two boards was devised—but he did not consider that the proposal of taking the election by a show of hands would effect the object they had in view . The number of candidates put in nomination for the Board of General Purposes each election , on an average of 8 years , had been 27 , and the number hacl on one occasion , reached as high as 32 . Now he would put it to the meeting , whether they could take thirty-two divisions in one night , and at the . same time transact then- other business . He thought not—aud therefore he must vote against the resolution . It appeared to be thought by some persons , that a benefit was to be obtained by sitting at the Boards ( Cries of No , no ) . He had been a member for 8 years , and with the exception of a great deal of labour , he

hacl never received from his connection with them , move than a glass ot water . As he had said , if any better scheme than that now in existence for conducting the elections could be devised , ho should be happy to support it—but he could not support a change which he did not think would effect an improvement . ( Hear , hear ) . Br . Joseph Smith said it appeared to be the opinion of all , that some change should fake place , and the only difficulty was how to make it . He held that it was not fair that half the brethren should be placed in the position of receiving

lists already marked , and being called upon to vote in accordance with the views of one or two brothers , without knowing why or wherefore . He complained of Grand Officers interfering with the elections as ho had seen done , and he should therefore support the motion of Br . Savage . Br . Tomkius saw . the evils attending the list system , and called on Grand Lodge not to throw out the proposition now before them . Br . Geo . Barrett trusted Grand Lodge would not carry the motion . He

admitted that it would be better if they could do without the lists—but some men traded in Masonry—and canvassed for votes because they hacl assisted others to get a Avarrant for a Chapter , or some thing of that sort . Open voting would give those brothers an xmcVae power OA'er others , and he must therefore oppose the motion .

Br . Herbert Lloyd thought , that if a system was a corrupt one , they ought to endeavour to amend it—but he could not well support the proposition then before them , feeling that it would take up the whole time of Grand Lodge iu elections , and prevent their proceeding with other business . Br . Henry George Warren rose to propose an amendment upon the motion of Br . Savage . He admitted that the present mode of election was not what it ought to be—but at the same time he felt they could not prevent the brethren preparing

lists of candidates for election to the boards , nor did he wish to do so . He thought that they ought , if they saAv fit , be allowed to prepare such lists—but what he complained of was , the sj'stem of one brother standing at the door , intercepting the entrance of the brethren , and putting prepared balloting papers into their hands , and calling upon them to support tho list , the whole list , and nothing but the list . By this practice , brethren frequently never saw who were candidates -until they entered Lodge , ancl then they found the name of one or more of their

friends scratched out , and as a second balloting paper was never issued , they Avere -constrained either to vote in opposition to their friends , or not to A'ote at all . ( Hear , hear ) . His plan he thought both simple and fan-. It would be , to prevent the marking of lists as at present in practice , ancl this he felt could be easily effected . He proposed to take the first part of Br . Savage's resolution , denouncing ¦ the present practice—and in lieu of those words , providing for taking the election by show of hands , to substitute , " it is therefore resolved , that in future no balloting papers shall he issued until after the opening of Grand Lodge—and that during