The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-09-18
WASHING1ON,S CENTENNIAL.
To.day's Celebration OF the Laying OF tn
Corner Stone OF tho Capitol.

Corner Stone OF the Capitol.
WASHINGTON. Sept. IL Washington will to-
| morrow celebrate the centennial OF the first
national event which occurred within her bor-
ders-the laying of the corner stone Of the Cap
itol on Sept. Is. 1888 Tho ceremonies on that
occasion were directed by the officials Of the
Alexandria Masonic Lodge. President Wash
irgton assisting upon tho invitation Of the
Master OF the lodge. Some Of the regalia
which Washington wore on that occasion was
made by the wife Of Lafayette. and 1t. together
with the i'm elements OF the craft used to lay
the corner stone are still in possession Of the
lodge An invitation to participate in the ex-
ercses tomorrow has been declined by the
lodge.
The original structure OF the Capitol. which
has since been added to from time to time
was the production Of Stephen Hallet a
Frenchman. and improved by William Thorn
ton. an Engishman. and n right lively quarrel
they had over the authorship OF the plans. An
English architect Of the name OF Latrobe sue
ceedcd the designers. and it was under him
that the building was nearly completed when
the British burned 1t III the raid on Washing
ton. He rebuilt it, and then Architect Bull
finch Of Boston took hold. and In 1927 the
cost Of 81. 4s3.3l4. perhaps ten per cent. OF the
total cost of the structure OF to-day.
ss %Sea rs
was laid, and Daniel Webster delivered an sd-
signed the magnificent dome. hich was sub
senuently construr,ed. and the building was
condition. DR.. Edward Clark is the present
architect and under him the grounds and ter
races have been 9nishsl: D.. ouuo uu, :,
"A holiday in the District Of Column bia. and all
public business will be suspended There
which will be held on tho east front where
the, Presidents OF the United states deliver
parade Will he the same as taken by President
George W., 100 yea yn ago; ir9m the
Ga .m1 ss sre war 14n On
The exercises will begin ut 2 o'clock. In tho
Is expected viii iii he plaza. President Cleve-
follows. the instrumental music being fur
nished by the Marine Band. and the vocal BY
,IrayerIrho Right Rev. William rars,. Bishop of
u Dsnm in FIAT. Dudley Ruek-Chorus.
inrE,dae'on-iawr"nCe Gardiner. Chairman General
Chairman Of Csrsmonies-Grovsr Cleveland, Prest
orauon-Wllllan Writ Henry OF Virginia
The United States Senae-Adat T. Stevenson. Vice.
g9Lponrrt Of National Air. BAND
The lnltei states House OF
" The Heavens Are Telling" from the Creation
Chorus
The mdicary-IIenry Billings Brown. supreme Court,
United States.
Gent nnlal March" Fanciu-Bani,
District Of COiumba-Myrun NJ rArker. Board OF Com
mi ssinDerg
America Hand. chorus. and audience
Cardinal Gibbons VIII pronounce the benediction,
In the evening the Ca oil front will he illu-
minate cd and the chorus and band will give
grand concert.
William Writ Henry the orator Of the day. is
a direct descendant 81 Patrick Henry. He IL q
resident Of Richmond, n lawyer. schola and
statesman. Mr.. Henry was in the Confederate !
army. He was tn" orator at the Philadelphia
CENTENNIAL in 1876 and in 1891. and WAS Pres
ident OF the American Historical Society. He |
is now President OF the Virginia Historical So- |
ciety and Commissioner on the Peabody Board |
OF Education. At a dinner given in his honor |
last night tho first silver medal struck oil Tor |
the celebration was presented to him.