The Portland daily press., 1878-01-26

1
Last evening" by invitation of the Masonic
trustees, the trustees of the Portland Savings
Bank inspected the new rooms fitted up in the
savings bank block. We have so recently given
full description of these halls that any &C.
count of them is unnecessary. Mr.. Kotzsch-
mar was present and gave some fine selections
and improvisations upon the organ, displaying
both the exquisite talent of the musician, and
heEadmirable.quaity of the instrument.
The guests expressed the greatest satisfaction
and pleasure at the good taste and simple ele-
gance of the apartments in proportions, finish
and furniture. After the inspection was CON-
pleted the party sat down to handsome lunch
in the smaller banquet hall Mr.. Berry, the
chairman of the Masonic trustees, presided.
| At his right was Hon. j. B. Brown, presi-
dent of the savings bank trustees, and at his
left Edward P. Burnham, Grand Master of the
State The chairman, on behalf of the trus-
tees, welcomed the trustees of the savings bank
to their Masonic home, and alluded to the pre-
vious occasion when they had met for the same
| purpose in 1867 He said the fraternity of
Portland had had long and varied experience
in fitting up Masonic halls. When Portland
Lodge first organized for work ITO years ago,
they met at a tavern on the other
| side of Back Bay, for in those days
| the feast and the bowl of punch after
| it were important parts of Masonic business.
They afterwards occupied various halls, in diff
ferent parts of the town, in the Assembly
rooms on India street, in the tavern on the Cor
/ ner of Exchange and Middle streets, in the old
| stage tavern in Market square, where Gibson's
stable now stands, probably in Motley's hotel,
| above, on Congress street, as that was called
| the Freemason's arms, certainly in Columbian
Hall. which is said to have been in a block af-
forwards built into the Cumberland House,
now the United States Hotel; 10 the Insurance
building on Exchange street, now occupied by
the Cumberland Bank, and in the building sit
uated where the Canal Bank now is. From
that they moved into the old Academy building
on Congress street, where Congress Hall now
stands which they occupied thirty years, until
the need of more room oblig ed them to seek
new quarters, which they found in John M.
Woods block, on Middle street, below Ex-
change whence they were driven by fire in
1866, and found shelter in Mechanics Hall,
until the new rooms were fitted up in the Saw
ings Bank building, in October, 1867 He
paid tribute to the memory of Frank Noyes
Of the Savings Bank, and of A. M. Burton of
the Masonic Trustees, who were missed from
their accustomed places, as also the elder Mr.
Noyes, who was present at the former meeting,
and expressed the wish that in the future the
mutual intercourse of the two boards might be
as agreeable as it had been ia the past.
The chairman illustrated his remarks by ref
erences to distinguished persons who had been
connected with the fraternity, and with inter-
esting "reminiscences of Masonic events.
He then called upon the Hon. John B.
Brown, as President Of the Savings Bank.
Mr.. Brown paid high compliment to the ad-
mirable arrangement of the rooms and the
excellent work which the Fraternity is doing
among us, 10 dispensing charity and caring for
each other. The Savings Bank trustees have
similar duty in caring for the property of
widows and orphans placed under their charge.
While the Masons dispense, we protect. He
closed with reiterated congratulations on the
completeness and elegance of the new apart
ments.
Grand Master Burnham was then called
upon, and gave historical sketch of Che order
in the state. In speaking Of the hall, he said
he had noticed that each change had been an
improvement on the old. He was glad that
these rooms were owned by the Savings Bank,
as it indicated permanence. The Grand Lodge
had met in Portland for more than twenty. five
years. and IL is the home of the Grand Lodge
as well as of the Portland Masons. He noticed
that in the eulogies pronounced upon Gov.
King, no notice had been taken of the fact
that he was the first Grand Master of the
r oJo viii oH Al
time as the state Governors Dunlap, Crosby
and others were active Masons
George E. B. Jackson, Vice President of the
Savings Bank, and the venerable aud respected
Oliver Gerrish, who could speak for both
Savings Bank and Masons made brief re-
marks.
The Hon. j. 81. Drummond complimented
the elegance of the halls, and alluded to many
which he had seen in different cities, none of
which, he said, exceeded these in beauty or
convenience.
George W. Deering, chairman of the COM
mttee of construction, made neat and happy
speech of some length, describing humorously
his struggles with his two obstinate colleagues.
He paid deserved tribute to Mr.. Fassett, the
architect, who planned the rooms, Mr.. Schu-
macher, whose taste adorned them, Mr.. A. D.
Smith, who executed the carpenter work, and |
Mr.. Kotzschmar, to whose advice and assist |
ance the fraternity is indebted for their superb
organ
The Hon. William G. Davis replied good
humoredly for the obstinate members of the |
committee, and Messrs. Fassett and Schuma- |
cher responded to the compliments which had
been paid them, Mr.. Kotzschmar preferripg to
return his acknowledgements upon the organ
afterwards.
Mr.. Rolfe, President of the Maine Savings
Bank, Hon. j.. T. MeCobb of the Savings
Bank, DR.. Moses Dodge, chairman of the for |
mer committee on construction, Fl. N. Jose,
Esq, and Past Grand Master Murray made
brief and appropriate remarks.
After spending further time in examining
the apartments and listening to Mr.. Kotzsch- |
mars music this very pleasant meeting broke
up at II o'clock. Mr.. Berry presided with |
much skill and dignity, and his remarks and |
illusions on the intr oduction Of the several |
speakers were notably apt and graceful.