Page 277 - PGM Compendium

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 my will.”
Following his return home, his daughter had come to visit him but she died from a heart problem. Brother
Ziegler closes his message with a description of these events by stating, “I am not satisfied with my

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