Page 286 - PGM Compendium

Brother Ziegler goes on to describe the decisions that he made as Grand Master. He describes his
exhaustive workload during the year by stating, “Evidently, the Craft of this Jurisdiction, believe
that it is better for the Grand Master to wear out than to rust out, from the volume of
correspondence which had poured in upon me during the year past.” He goes on to state that, “I
have tried to answer every letter, for I now believe that is one of the rights reserved by the Craft,
to heap on the Grand Master, bushels of all sorts of questions, whereas, if the writer would bestow
one-half the trouble he devotes to writing, and just look into the Constitution and Code, nine to
one, I wager, he would find there, the query completely answered.” This is a sentiment which has
been shared by many Grand Masters since then.

Most Worshipful Brother Ziegler summarizes his response to seven of the questions that he
received during the year. The seventh query describes an incident within his home Lodge Spokane
#34 involving Brothers Kellinger and Mitchell which continued into his second term as Grand
Master in 1887. Brother Kellinger refused to repay Brother Mitchell a debt that he was owed using
what can only be described as harsh language. M⸫W⸫ Brother Ziegler told Brother Kellinger to
repay the brother and apologize for his actions. Brother Kellinger agreed to do this however he did
not actually do as the Grand Master asked. The Grand Master found out about this when he came
to Spokane Lodge to install its officers. He refused to install Brother Kellinger as Secretary of
Spokane Lodge and then referred the matter to the Master of the Lodge. Brother Kellinger was put
on trial by the Lodge but was acquitted since there was no evidence that Brother Mitchell was a
Mason and therefore no offense had been committed under the Masonic Code at that time.
Evidence of Brother Mitchell’s Masonic status was later received by Spokane Lodge but by then
it was too late to order a new trial.

The outcome of this situation bothered Most Worshipful Brother Ziegler greatly. He strongly
recommends changes in the Masonic code, “to declare, in unmistakable terms how far a Mason
may act in confidence with a brother Mason and still be within the bounds of propriety.” He later
states, “We cannot afford to let the world point the finger of scorn at our members and say, ‘that
fellow is a Mason, he has defrauded me and cheated me, and the law of his institution upholds him
in it.” This incident was far from settled at this point and played a significant role in Brother
Ziegler’s second term as Grand Master.

Another key issue is addressed in the 1886 message was the legislation passed in 1885 prohibiting
Lodges from receiving or acting on petitions from anyone involved in the manufacture or sale of
intoxicating liquors. This action caused a great uproar in the fraternity and Most Worshipful
Brother Ziegler quotes from a circular that he had issued in defense of the legislation. In it, he
argues that Masonry is a universal institution and it is incumbent on every Grand Lodge to ensure
that only the best men can become members. He goes on to argue that since the manufacture and
sale of intoxicating liquors requires a license from the government to make it lawful, it is therefore
in itself unlawful and morally wrong. It is not a suitable occupation for anyone wishing to become
a Mason. This legislation was the predominate view of the Fraternity in this state for many years.

Most Worshipful Brother Ziegler’s first term was marred by his own health issues and the sudden
death of his oldest daughter. He suffered greatly from a painful case of eczema and it was T. M.
Reed who assisted in his recovery by taking him to hot springs in Arkansas, “by force and against