Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1885-07-02

Of the capitol building ut Boise City.
The great event to Idaho and especially
to Boise City was looked forward to with
ahticipations OF pleasure. The Masons
were invited to conduct the service, and
the Grand Master Of the Grand Lodge
Of Masons announced in the press that
the fraternity would on the 18th day of
June lay the corner stone, and sent out
invitations to all Masons throughout the
territory to be present at the exercises.
The day arrived and many people from
the adjoining towns and from the rural
districts also arrived, only to be disap-
pointed. To the question why the cere-
monies were postponed they get evasive
replies. Some said the workmen had no
lime, some said there was no mortar
mixed some said it was postponed to
await Gov. Bunns arrival; some said
the workmen were not ready some said
Pride would not let them lay the stone
at present, and some said the capitol COM
missioners were displeascd at the action
OF the Masors in securing the services Of
Joe Houston for the orator. The con
fusion was as complete as it was at the
building Of the Tower Of Babel. OF all
these excuses the last one appears to be
the most plausible. We never thought
Joe Huston was fit for glory, but he is a
good orator, and it would have been no
disgrace to have listened to him upon SO
important an occasion.
"Thc Statesman of the 18th says
"The policy Of giving the privilege ex-
clusively to the Masons was questioned
by good many, and not without pretty
strong grounds. The statement is made
for the purpose of co, erirg up the rea
object. There is no truth in the state
ment that there was any kicking on &C
count of the action of the commissioners
in inviting the Masons to conduct toe Ger
emony; but when it became known that
Huston was to deliver the grafton the
kicking began. Pride the representative
of the Boise Ring, announced publicly
that Huston should no, deliver the ora.
ton, and when Pride takes snuff the
ring snesze. Pride snuffed, or thought
he did, the danger that if Huston was
permitted to make the speech his enemy
would be applauded and become distin
guished, therefore the machinery was SCI
to work to defeat it. Pride having tn,
control Of a majority Of the commission
crs, the object was easily accomplished
The first move was to ask the Masons
to change their programme. They de
clined, on the grounds that they coulc
not do it without offering an insult to .
worthy member. The commissioner,
next reported to the Masons that thu
workmen on the building could not get i,
ready in time. In this action of the com
missiouers they have widened the breach
in social relations Of .Beise City and
made it impossible to have harmonious
action in the matter Of laying the corner
stone. It now advised by some to hold
an indignation meeting in the event OF an
attempt Of the ring to lay the corner
stone, but We think it would be unwise
What Boise City wants is harmony; in
ternal dissention has been her bane
There is class Of people here who care
nothing for the interests of the city OF
country, and in order to accomplish thei,
own selfish ends they ruthlcssly obstruc,
operations Of the law and the path Of
progress. They have gained nothing BY
their oflicious interference with the lay
ing Of the corner stone.