%images;]> LCRBMRP-T1305By-laws of Simon Commandery No. 1, Knights Templar : revised and enlarged by Sir Knight John F.N. Wilkinson, Sir Knight John W. Freeman, Sir Knight John B. Washington, Committee.: a machine-readable transcription. Collection: African-American Pamphlets from the Daniel A. P. Murray Collection, 1820-1920; American Memory, Library of Congress. Selected and converted.American Memory, Library of Congress.

Washington, 1994.

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91-898188Daniel Murray Pamphlet Collection, 1860-1920, Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Library of Congress. Copyright status not determined.
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BY-LAWS,RULES OF ORDER, &c.,OFSimon Commandery,No. 1,KNIGHTS TEMPLAR,OFWASHINGTON, D. C.S. & R. O. POLKINHORN, PRINTERS.1873.

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BY-LAWSOFSIMON COMMANDERYNo. 1,KNIGHTS TEMPLAR.REVISED AND ENLARGED BYSir Knight JOHN F. N. WILKINSON.)""JOHN W. FREEMAN.)Committee""JOHN B. WASHINGTON. )INSTITUTED, DECEMBER 18, A. D. 1855,A. O. 788.WASHINGTON:

S. & R. O. POLKINHORN, PRINTERS,1873.

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LIST OF OFFICERS.

S. K., Carter A. Stewart, E. Commander.Geo. W. Brooks, M.D., Generalissimo.JNO. F. N. WILKINSON, Captain General.WILLIAM P. RYDER, Prelate.ADDISON CLAYTON, Senior Warden.P. H. SIMMONS, Junior Warden.JAMES JOHNSON, Treasurer.JOHN B. WASHINGTON, Recorder.JOHN H. BROOKS, Standard Bearer.NOBLE SNOWDEN, Sword Bearer.JAS. H. A. SCHUREMAN, Warder.EDWARD CHASE, Captain of Guards.

PAST EMINENT COMMANDERS.

S. K., WM. H. THOMAS, S. K., JNO. T. COSTIN,WM. H. MYERS, JOHN A. GRAY,S. K., JOHN H. HAWKINS.

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MEMBERS.

S.K., W.H. Edenburgh, S.K., HENRY O. JOHNSON,Charles Hunts,Edward Herburt,Isaac Clark,Wm. Thompson,Andrew Twine,Charles Leemus,J.T.C. Brown,L.J. Brown,Samuel Procter,Geo. M. Winters,Stephen Owens,J.E. Freeman,James Mason,John Hill,Arthur Simmons,Henry Better,W.H. Thomas, Jr.Edward Howard,L.P.H. Davis,H.W. Cosley,Wellington ThomasRev. A. Holmes,Chas. C. Johnson,John J.Moore,Robt. Summerville,E.A. Bell,Henry Wood,Mark M. Bell,John W. Reed,Joseph Smallword,John W. Freeman,Fred. R. Bonner,Robt. H. Booker,Lew. H. Cornish,James Hill,James Bennett.Henry Hyson,Rosier D. Beckley,Wm. H. Shorter,Robt. Johnson,W. H. Hutchinson,John W. Thomas,Author Pannell,Wm. B. Brooks,John E. Lemons,J.H. Davis,Thomas Dixon,John H. Brent,Wm. F. Lee,John Lee,Geo. H. Newman,Benj. Buckner,Alfred Berry,William Smith,Rev. W.H. Waters,Cary Parks,Stafford Parker,S. Morrison,Samuel Anderson,Warner WashingtonGeo. W. Hatten,Charles Johnson.John Skinner,

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WASHINGTON, CITY, D.C.,

December 15, A. D. 1871.To the Eminent Commander and Sir Knights of SimonCommandery, No. 1:

We, your committee, to whom was referred the ByLaws, for the government of the Commandery, beg leave to report, that we have performed that part of our duty, and have the honor to submit for consideration, this code of By-Laws, as the result of our labors.

Fraternally yours,S.K., JOHN F. N. WILKINSON,S.K., JOHN W. FREEMAN,Committee.S.K., JOHN B. WASHINGTON.

Resolved, That the report of the Committee on By-Laws be received, and that the By-Laws be submitted to the Grand Commandery for approval.Attest: S.K., JOHN H. HAWKINS, E.C.S.K., JOHN B. WASHINGTON, Rec'rTo the Most Eminent Grand Commander and Sir Knights of the Grand Commandery of the District of Columbia.Greeting:

We, the undersigned select committee, appointed to consider and revise the By-Laws of Simon Commandery, No 1.S.K. T., have the honor to report, that after a careful examination, we find that the By-Laws of the above named Commandery are good and wholesome laws, and, therefore, we recommend to you their approval.

Yours, fraternally,P.E.C., WM. H. Myers, P.E.C., JOHN BATTLE,)P.E.C., CHAS. HOWARD, )Committee.S.K., WM. H. EDENBURGH,)S.K., ALFRED POPE.)

I hereby certify that the report of the committee on the By-Laws of Simon Commandery, No. 1, was approved by the Grand Commandery.

JOHN G. GOINES,Grand Recorder.

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PREAMBLE

As the Institution of the most illustrious order of KNIGHT TEMPLARS acknowledge revealed religion and positively inculcate the devout worship of Almighty God, being the most Holy and undivided Trinity, three in one and one in three--Father, Son and Holy Spirit--the only true God, blessed for evermore, whose creatures we are, by whose grace we are supported, by whose bounty we subsist, and on whose mercy we ought always humbly depend for present prosperity and future happiness.

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BY-LAWS.
ARTICLE 1.--Of the Commandery.

Sec. 1. This Commandery shall be known and designated by the title of "Simon Commandery," No. 1, of Knight Templars, of Washington City, District of Columbia.

ARTICLE II.--Of Officers and Elections.

SEC. 1. The officers of the Commandery shall consist of--1. The Eminent Commander.2." Generalissimo.3." Captain General.4." Prelate.5." Senior Warden.6." Junior Warden.7." Treasurer.8." Recorder.9." Standard Bearer.10." Sword Bearer.11." Warder.12." Sentinel.13." Captain of Guards.

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All of whom shall be elected by ballot at the annual conclave preceding the second Friday in October, (with the exception of the Standard Bearer, Sword Bearer, Sentinel and Guards, who shall be appointed by the E.: Commander,) and shall serve for one year, or until their successors are elected and installed.

Sec. 2. All vacancies in the officers of this Commandery, (except that of the E.: Commander,) that may occur by death, demit, or otherwise, shall be filled by appointment.

Sec. 3. The manner of election shall be by ballot, the votes to be counted by two tellers; and , when counted, the E.: Commander, or the presiding officer, shall make known the result to the Commandery; each shall be voted for separately, and the Sir Knight having a majority of the whole number of ballots takens, shall declared duly elected.

ARTICLE III.--Of Conclaves.

Sec. 1. The stated conclaves of this Commandery, shall be held on the second and fourth Friday evening in each month. Special conclaves may be called whenever the E.: Commander, or, in his absence, the Generalissimo, or, in their absence, the Captain General, shall deem necessary.

Sec. 2. The hours of assembling shall be at seven o'clock, p. m., from the 1st of April, and eight o'clock, p. m., from the 1st of April to the 1st of October.

Sec. 3. No business shall be entertained at a 00099special conclave otherthan that for which it may be called.

Sec. 4. In the absence of all the three principal officers of the Commandery, the Past Commanders, according to seniority, shall be empowered to preside.

ARTICLE IV.--Duties of Officers.

Sec. 1. The E.: Commander shall see that the By-Laws of the Commandery are duly observed, as well as the Edicts, Rules, Statutes, Constitution and Regulations of the Grand Commandery; that accurate records are kept, and just accounts and reports rendered; that just returns are made annually to the Grand Commandery, and that the annual dues are promptly paid. It is his duty, together with the Generalissimo and Captain General, either in person or by proxy, to attend all meetings of the Grand Commandery.

Sec. 2. The Generalissimo succeeds to all the duties, powers, and prerogatives of the E.: Commander, in case of his death, inability or absence.

Sec. 3. The Captain General, in case of the death, inability or absence of both of his superior officers, succeeds to the duties, powers and prerogatives of E.: Commander.

Sec. 4. The Treasurer shall keep a true account of the funds and property of the Commandery, and exhibit the same, with his vouchers, to Finance Committee, annually, and at such other time as may be required.

Sec. 5. The Recorder shall keep an accurate 001010record of the transactions of the Commandery; collect all moneys due thereto, pay the same over to the Treasurer, taking his receipt for the same, and shall notify each member of the special conclaves of the Commandery. He shall also report annually to the Grand Recorder of the Grand Commandery, the roll of officers and members of the Commandery, and shall accompany the same with the amount of dues. For the faithful performance of these duties he shall be exempt from the payment of monthly dues.

ARTICLE V.--Of Committees.

Sec. 1. There shall be a Standing Committee of three members, to be styled the Finance Committee, who shall be appointed annually by the E.: Commander, immediately after the installation of officers, whose duty it shall be to examine the books and accounts of the Treasurer and Recorder, and report to the Commandery at the annual conclave, previous to the election of officers, and at such other times as the Commandery may direct.

Sec. 2. The Treasurer, Warder, and Sentinel shall, ex-officio, constitute a committee of Servitors.

Sec. 3. All Special Committees shall be appointed by the E. Commander, except at his request, by the Commandery.

ARTICLE VI.--Of Dues and Fees.

Sec. 1. Every member of this Commandery (except the Sentinel and Recorder,) shall pay to the Commandery monthly, the sum of twenty-five cents as dues; and if any Sir Knight shall fail to 001111pay his dues for six months, it shall be the duty of the Recorder to call the attention of the Commandery to the fact, also the delinquent Knight, and if he shall not have paid in three months thereafter, he shall not be permitted to visit the Commandery.

Sec. 2. Every candidate for the orders of Knighthood in this Commandery shall pay the sum of fifteen dollars, which shall accompany the petition.

Sec. 3. Every Knight Templar applying for membership, shall pay the sum of five dollars, which shall accompany his petition.

Sec. 4. No Knight Templer who has received the orders of Knighthood in this Commandery, or who has affiliated therewith, shall be entitled to the privileges of membership until he has signed these By-Laws.

Sec. 5. It shall not be deemed regular for this Commandery to confer the orders of Knighthood upon any sojourner whose fixed place of abode is within any State or Territory, in which there is a Commandery regularly established.

Sec. 6. When a Companion has been elected to receive the orders, and charges has been prefered against him in his Lodge or Chapter, for unmasonic conduct, the Orders should not be conferred upon him, unless he should be honorably acquitted. It is competent for the Commandery to stay action as to advancing a candidate at any stage of its proceedings.

ARTICLE VII.--Of Petitions.

Sec. 1. Any Royal Arch Mason desiring to receive 001212the orders of Knighthood in this Commandery, shall make known his desire to do so, by petition in the following form, signed in his proper handwriting:

To the E.:Commander, Officers, and Members, of Simon Commandery, No. 1, K.: T.:

The undersigned, having been duly exalted to the degree of Royal Arch Mason, in--R. A. Chapter, No.--, of the State of--, is de-desirous of receiving the several orders of Knighthood conferred in your Commandery. Should his petition be favorably responded to, he promises a cheerful conformity to the rules and usages of the order. My residence is--; born at--; State of--, and my age is--;) and must be accompanied by the fee, as provided for in Art. 6, Sec. 2; and recommended by at least two members of the Commandery, in the following form:

Washington, D. C., A.: O.: 7--We cordially recommend Companion--, to the favorable consideration of the Commandery, as a Worthy Royal Arch Mason.

Sec. 2. This petition shall be referred to a committee consisting of three members, to be appointed by the E.: Commander, who shall report thereon at the next stated conclave; Provided however, that any petition may, by unanimous consent, be received and acted upon at one and the same conclave.

Sec. 3. Petitions for membership shall be in suitable form, accompanied by the fee provided in 001313Art. 6, Sec 3, and signed by the applicant, and must be recommended by at least two members of the Commandery, and shall take the same course as provided in the preceding section.

Sec. 4. "The Commandery having exclusive power to decide all questions concerning membership," must decide all questions concerning petitions therefore, by vote, such as whether or not a petition may be withdrawn, etc.

ARTICLE VIII.--Of Balloting

Sec. 1. In balloting for a candidate, should two or more negative ballots appear, he shall be declared rejected; if only one, the presidding officer shall cause a second ballot to be taken immediately, when if one negative vote still appear, he shall be declared rejected, and it shall not be in order to receive another petition from such rejected candidate within six months thereafter.

Sec. 2. All candidates should be elected by ballot, and after a clear ballot for a candidate has been announced, nothing, except direct and undoubted testimony of unworthiness, can interpose to prevent the conferring of the Orders. No mere notice, without full statement of the reasons for giving it, should be regarded as of any weight.

Sec. 3. If any Sir Knight speaks in open Commandery that he has reasons to give why a candidate, who has passed the ordeal of the ballot, should not be created a Sir Knight, those reasons must be received and duly weighed.

Sec. 4. There is no remedy where a member or 001414a Commandery persists in casting a black ball. The ballot must be secret, and it must be sacred. It is a right which any member has, which cannot be questioned or interfered with, to reject whomsoever he pleases, and his motives cannot be questioned.

Sec. 5. In voting of admission into the Order, every member present should be required to cast his ballot, or be excused therefrom by a vote of the Commandery.

ARTICLE IX.--Powers and Duties of the Commandery.

Sec. 1. This Commandery shall have power to inquire into and punish unknightly conduct in any of its members, by censure, reprimand, suspension, or expulsion.

Sec. 2. Whenever charges of unknightly conduct are made against a member of this Commandery, or any Sir Knight under its jurisdiction; it it shall be the duty of the E. Commander to cause to be issued a summons, which shall be served upon such resident member thereof, to attend on a given day and hour at the Asylum, for the purpose of trying the accused; and it shall be the duty of the Recorder to issue, (and the Sentinel to deliver to the accused, or leave sealed at the place of his residence, if known, within the District of Columbia, at least ten days before the day appointed for trial,) a copy of the charges and specifications; provided they are of a nature to be committed to writing, and if not, a notice that charges have been preferred against him.

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Sec. 3. It shall be the duty of the Commandery, or of a committee appointed for that purpose, either at or before the time appointed for the trial, to hear any evidence which may be presented relative to the charges preferred, both on the part of the accuser and acused, and commit the same to writing, if proper to do so; and if the evidence of other than Sir Knights Templar be offered, it may be taken either before a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, or lodge of Master Masons, if the witnesses are members of either those Orders; and if not, before a person authorized by the laws of the District of Columbia or the State in which such testimony is taken, to administer oaths; notice having been given to the adverse party so as to allow at least one day for every twenty miles travel to the place of taking such testimony.

Sec. 4. No Sir Knight shall be put upon his trial unless there shall be present a majority of all the resident members of the Commandery, and when assembled, they may censure, reprimand, suspend definitely or indefinitely, or expel.

Sec. 5. That if any member of this Commandery shall, after due trial, be suspended or expelled by a Lodge of Master Masons, or by a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, or shall be convicted of crime by a jury of his countrymen, or in any Judicial Court; the evidence of such fact, may be taken as conclusive against him in this Commandery, and his punishment may be awarded without further trial.

Sec. 6. A Sir Knight definitely suspended is restored to all the rights and privileges of membership 001616at the expiration of the term for which he was suspended, without further action of the Commandery; one, indefinitely suspended may be reinstated upon petition, which shall lie over one month for consideration and report, when, if said report be favorable, he may be reinstated by a majority vote, if a majority of the resident members be present.

Sec. 7. An expelled member of this Commandery may be reinstated on compliance with all the conditions provided in the case of members indefinitely suspended, by a unanimous vote; subject, however, to the approval of the Grand Commandery.

ARTICLE X.--Of Demits, Diplomas, Resignation.

Sec. 1. No officer of this Commandery can resign his office unless he is about to remove from the District of Columbia.

Sec. 2. Any member wishing to demit from this Commandery may do so on application, either personally or in writing: Provided, He has paid his dues and is free from knightly censure.

Sec. 3. Any member desiring a diploma may receive one on application to the Recorder, under the restrictions provided in section two of this article, for which he shall pay two dollars, one to be retained by the Recorder, and the other for the benefit of the Commandery.

ARTICLE XI.--OF Bills and Ammendments.

Sec. I. All money bills against this Commandery 001717must be presented at a stated conclave, and be approved of by the Commandery, and certified to by the Commander, before being paid.

Sec. 2. All amendments to these By-Laws must be presented in writing at a stated conclave, and lie over one month, when a vote of two-thirds of the members present shall be necessary to adopt them; and, if adopted, are not legally binding until approved, by the Grand Commandery, except such as relates to fees, dues and salaries, not inconsistent with the Constitution of the Grand Commandery.

ARTICLE XII.--Miscellaneous.

SEC. 1. No appeal from the decision of the E.: Commander of a Commandery lies in any case whatever; right or wrong, it is final, and reversible only by himself, or by the Grand Commandery or Grand Commander, in a proper way.

Sec. 2. An appeal lies from the Subordinate Commandery to the Grand Commandery, for its decision, when in session, or the Grand Commander during its recess.

Sec. 3. The use of "the previous question," according to the parliamentary sense of the term, has no place in Masonry. The presiding officer, when he wishes the debate to cease, rises, and Masonic usage terminates discussion.

Sec. 4. Any Knight Templar in good standing is eligible to any office that the Commandery may think proper to bestown upon him.

Sec. 5. It is always in the power of the Eminent Commander to order his Commandery to appear 001818either in full costume or fatigue dress, as he may think proper.

Sec. 6. An election held at any other time than that prescribed by the By-Laws, is illegal and void; and the old officers must hold over until the next annual conclave, unless the Grand Commander sees fit to authorize a special election.

ARTICLE XIII.--Of Dress and Uniforms.--For Full Dress

--Black frock coat, black pantaloons, scarf, sword, belt, shoulder-straps, gaunlets, and chapeau, with appropriate trimmings.

Fatigue Dress.--Same as full dress, except for a chapeau a black cloth cap, navy form, bound with silver lace, and appropriate cross in front, and for gaunlets white gloves.

Scarf.--Five inches wide in the whole, of black silk velvet, bordered with silver lace and fringe half inch wide on the outer edge, and silver lace half inch wide at the inner edge of the black. On the front centre of the scarf a metal star of nine points, in allusion to the nine founders of the Temple Order, enclosing the passion cross, entwined with a serpent, surrounded by the latin motto, "In hoc signo vinces;" the metal-Cock above, and the Lamb below the passion cross, with malteses cross on a green rosette at the intersection, with a silver tassel at the end, the scarf to be worn from the right shoulder below the point of intersection.

Apron.--Triangular, of black silk velvet, trimmed with half inch silver lace and fringe, on 001919the flap, silver cross swords, points down; on the apron, a silver skull and cross bones. A triangle, a passion cross and serpent, and three five pointed silver stars.

Cheapeau.--The military chapeau, trimmed with black binding, one white and two black plumes, and appropriate cross on the left side gaunlets, of buff leather, the flap to extend four inches upward from the wrist, and to have the appropriate cross of white metal with red centre, two inches in length.

Sword.--Thirty-four to forty inches, inclusive of scabbard, helmet head, cross handle, and metal scabbard.

Belt.--Red enameled or patent leather, two inches wide, fastened around the body, with buckle or clasp.

Shoulder-Strap.--For Commander, emerald green silk velvet, an inch and a half wide by four inches long, bordered with one row of embroidery of gold, quarter of an inch wide, with passion cross, with a halo embroidered in silver in the centre.

For Generalissimo, same as Commander, except for the passion cross the square surmounted by the paschal lamb.

For the Captain General, same as the Commander, except for the passion cross, the level, surmounted with the cock.

Cap.--Navy form, black cloth, four or five inches high, narrow leather strap fastened at the sides with small metal Maltese cross, trimmed 002020with one row of silver lace, with the passion cross two inches in length, of white metal with red centre, on the front.

Distinctions.--The Sir Knight will wear white metal, wherever metal appears; Commanders and Past Commanders will wear gold.

Sec. 1. Each Sir Knight, shall, within ninety days after becoming a member of this Commandery, provide himself with a full regalia; and any member failing to do so shall pay to the Commandery, monthly, a fine of one dollar for each month until he shall conform to the requirements of this section, said fine to be collected as all other dues.

Vow of Office.

Sec. 2. The officers of this Commandery, before they enter upon the exercise of their respective offices, shall take the following obligation, viz: I--, do promise and vow that I will support and maintain the Constitution of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of the District of Columbia, and the By-Laws and Regulations of this Commandery.

Sec. 4. Every Sir Knight of this Commandery, shall furnish himself with a fatigue dress, in accordance with article 13 of these By-Laws, and shall not be permitted to sit in, or visit any regular or special conclave of the same, other than in the dress provided for in these By-Laws.

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RULES OF ORDER.

ARTICLE XIV.

1. When the Most Eminent Commander, or presiding officer, shall rise, all debate cease, and there shall be strict silence.

2. Every question, moved and seconded, shall be put by the presiding officer, and no new matter shall be brought forward until that under consideration shall be first decided.

3. Every Sir Knight shall stand when he speaks, and shall address himself, with respect and decorum, to the presiding officer for the time being; he shall not be permitted to say anything which will have a tendency wantonly to inflame or irritate, as the sole object of debate, regard being had to procure time, is to enlighten and expand the mind on the subject under discussion, to solicit truth, and to endeavor to have everything done decently and in order.

4. No Sir Knight shall be permitted to speak more than twice on any subject, unless it is to explain, without permission from the Commandery, and not then until every member has spoken as often as he is justly entitled to.

5. No Sir Knight shall interrupt another while speaking, nor any officer of the Commandery, while performing the duties to his office, nor use any improper language in open conclave to any member thereof.

6. If any Sir Knight is twice called to order at 002222any one meeting of the Commandery for transgressing the rules, he shall be duly admonished of his offence by the presiding officer, and if he offends the third time, the presiding officer may exclude him from the Commandery for that evening.

And for wilful outrages, and open violations of these Rules and By-Laws, the Commandery may suspend or expel, as the case may require.

7. A majority of the Sir Knights present shall determine all questions, and in case of an equality of vote, the M.E. Commander shall give the casting vote. No vote shall be passed at any special or adjourned meeting in which an absent Sir Knight is particularly interested without previous notice having been given him, unless two-thirds of the members present shall judge it to be too urgent to admit of delay.

8. The order of business of the Commandery shall be:-1. Reading of the proceedings of the last regular and intermediate conclaves.2. Report of committee on petitions.3. Reception of petitions for the Orders, and membership.4. Balloting on petitions.5. Report of committees.6. Calling of the roll.7. Deferred and unfinished business.8. New business.9. Conferring of the Orders.

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9. Each candidate, on being elected, shall be informed thereof by his voucher, when he may come forward for initiation, and should he fail to comply for two months after being duly notified, his fee shall be forfeited to the Commandery, unless he can satisfy the E. C. that the delay was unavoidable.

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INDEX

PageCertificate of Membership2List of Officers3List of Members4Reports and Resolutions 5Preamble6Title of Commandery7Of OfficersArt II7Of Elections7Of ConclavesArt III8Duties of Officers" IV9Of Committees"V10Of Dues and Fees"VI10Of Petitions" VII11Of Balloting"VIII13Powers and Duties of Commd'y"IX14Of Demits, Diplomas and..Resignation" X16Of Bills and Amendments" VI16Miscellaneous" XII17Of Dress and Uniform" XIII18Rules of Order" XIV21