, 1874-04-08
LAYING THE cUsToM-HoUsR COR
NER-STONE.

Although tho pubic mlnd hna hnd enough IN
tho way Of now and romarkablo buildings to givo
its architectural taRto . continual feast, yet 1t
has not lost Right Of tho fact that tho Custom
House, when it rises above tho fonce and grows
80 aa to oyortop Its surrounding rivals, will bo
the chef dnuvro Of ali tho buildings in this city.
The gratifying novs tia. this coming building
ia almost ready for tho formal ceremony Of lay-
ing the cotnor-stono. will bo received with
pleasure. It is the design to mako
tho event tho occasion Of 3 general
celebration, and with tlls end in Wow
meeting Of prominent citi2ons was callod at the
Office OF Superintendent RanSin, who has charge
Of the now Custom -House. at p. m. yesterday.
to take into consideration the arrangement Of a
programme for the celebration Of ths laying Of
tue cornerstone on the Gath OF next Juno A
number Of Government officials aud other dis
whom were the Hon. N. B. Judd, District-At-
torney Glover Gen. Macarthur, Geo. II. How,
President Doard Of Trade; United States Com
missioner Phil 4. Hoyne, John 3. Drake, 3. II.
Con. Macarthur called tho meeting to order, and
statod that tho object Of the gathering was to
got an expression from the gentlemen present
as to tho best plan to obseryo tho occasion mp
propriateiy. The Masonic fraternity had express
BOD q willingness to take charge OF the cere-
monies, and lie did not know bnt tho public ge,,-
crnlly would wish to participate in the celebrn-
tion, Thutpycr it might be. Ho called for the
opinion Of those present. -
Mr. Rankin thon read tho following letter,
james Ranhnt Superintendent cn.on.- HOUSE chteaas
SIN: 1neloaed p1eaee find copy Of letter from
the Grand aster uf Fscs aud Accepted nasous Of tie
State Of Illinois Ii regard to laying tho cornerstone
should tako place the 4th Of juno mkt together with
at m 9he sceratry s as % authorized ths ying o. te
CORNERSTONE Of the building With Masonic ceremonies.
You will please confer With tho proper authorities Of
euH 10
rsngenents for The laying Of tho stono in question,
boarng In mind that there ia authority under Law
to expeud any money for this purposn. Very respect
fully, 4. 3. MuLLE1r, Inspecting Architect
Aftor aomo dcsnltory talk Mr. Judd arose aud
said that. In his opinion, the better way to pro-
coed won!d be to appoint committee to prepare
. general programme OF nrrangcmontB, leaving
1t to tho Committee to docido what shnll 10 done
and to arrange for il. He suggested tho follow
ing Eentlenon For Chairman* hIr. How
Mombcra Mr.. Drake, Mr. Bradley. Mr. Letter,
Blr. Cregior, Mr.. olaten, nnd Gen. MoArthur.
Afr. cresisr made motion that oommittce
that they hayo tho power to add to their number
ii required. Tho motion prevailed, Alr. Judd
wished to know Of h1r. Crogier how far the Ma
sonio fraternity had boon notified Of the intend.
that they had not been notified, and It would bo
necessary to give notice at once "a It waB IN
contemplation by the Masters Of tue Grand
Lodge to present SOME elaborate, characteristic
mails, and In order to do this properly the time
given for preparation must be as grent as pos
6iblo. An ob}ection waB made 10 bringing In the
city authorities to act With tho Committee. It
was thought they could manage the matter
alone.
Tho gentlemen present then informally OK
pressed unanimous suggestion to bo acted
upon by tho Committee, that the Masonic fra
ternity be invited to take charge Of the cerolno-
MICS q laying tho cornsr-stone: As Tho rcpre-