Evening star., 1897-05-01
FIFTY YEARS TODAY
The Laying Of the Corner Stone of
the Smithsonian.
IMPOSING PARADE and MASONIC RITES
What Improvements the Location
Has Brought About.
RELICS OF WASHIN GTON

Fifty years ago today the corner stone Of
the Smithsonian Institution building was
laid with appropriate ceremonies, in the
presence of a large audience, including
President Polk, the members Of the cabi-
net, many distinguished men of the ma
ton and citizens of Washington. The ora
ton WAS delivered by George NJ. Dallas.
then Vice President of the United States,
and then chancellor of the institution. The
act of Congress providing for carrying
out the beGuest of Smithson, by the es-
tablishmeat of the institution, had been
passed through the efforts of Robert Dale
owen the preceding August, and became
a law by the approval of President Polk.
The regents having been appointed, an or
ganization was effected in September. Dur
ing the following months the general plan
for carrying out the testator's wishes was
discussed and a number of projects were
presented. The suggestions of the lament
ed Prof. Joseph Henry, then of Princeton.
were accepted. and being called to fill the
position of secretary. he resigned his pro-
fessorship and entered his duties here
in the December following.
IL was at one time proposed to place the
Smithsonian on Observatory Hill. The act
OF Congress, however, authorized the 10
cation Of the institution building on 7th
street. east of the patent Office, on the
condition that the assent of certain Off
cials was obtained. There was ample room
for 1t there. for the Interior Department
had not been organized. and the east wing
of the building had not been erected It
was regarded as a more convenient loca-
ton, Tor the rooms and specimens OF the
National Institute, the nucleus of the mu-
scum. were in the patent Office building.
The assent of the proper officials, how
ever could not be obtained for the loca-
ton indicated by Congress, and another
was sought A few years later, when per-
manent accommodations for the Interior
department were needed, 1t was found
there was no better site than pateat office
square, and 1t was used. A proposition had
been made in Congress that the old city
nall building, now the court house. should
De purchased of the corporation by the
institution, and the money derived from
the sale be invested In a municipal build
ing north of the Center market Though
efforts have been made for municipal
building on that site time and time again
no better success has attended the efforts
than at the first attempt made fifty years
ago. The project failed to receive the ap-
proval OF Congress.
The Present Site.
Authority vas then given to erect the
Smithsonian building on some portion of the
public grounds. and the present site was
selected. Although it was contemplated, in
the plan of the city. that the southern por-
tion Of the Mall should be used as sites for
the TtSitenCcS OF some OF tne Drlnclpal Ofn-
GERS of the government, including the sena-
tors. the entire Mall-between b street
north and Missouri avenue and b street
south, and Maine avenue from Sd street
west TO the Potomac-had been sadly
neglected. 1t was but wild waste from
Sd street. The Botanical Garden estab-
hshed a few years before, inclosed only a
short time previously, showed some little
signs of improvement outside of the green
houses. The portion between Sd and 412
streets had been turned over by the gov
ernment to the care OF the corporation. and
but little had been done toward its better
ment. Twelve years before the Mall had
been inclosed by simple fence, and sowed
In grass, but much of the fencing had dis
appeared, and there was wild growth of
grass. bushes and briers covering 1t. 1t
had been of more use to the public for
grazing cattle, and for play grounds than
for aught else. save that about the site of
the building. military encampments were
sometimes held. and the old-time menagerie
and circus pitched its tents near the corner
of Ith and B streets. All south and west
OF the canal had not then been dignified by
the name of South Washington, and the
people were content with the name Of Is
landers." Over the canal were wooden
bridges at AZ. Ith, 18th and 14th streets,
and the thoroughfares through the Mall
were simple dirt roads. None of them had
foot pavement on both sides
However much the world has been bene-
fitted by the establishment of the insti-
tuition and by the spreading of knowledge
had important bearing, both the
general and local governments, and also
on the people Of the island section of
the city. 1t may justly be said that the
location of the building on the hitherto ne
elected Mall was the pioneer step in re-
claiming that part of the city; and fur
nished an incentive for the improvement
OF a section which had been. up to that
time about unpromising any portion
Of the District. With the Improvement of
the Smithsonian grounds. ard the con-
otructton of approaches to the building,
the streets were improved, the neigfbor-
ing grounds fenced in and beautifed, and
such an impetus was given that the name
islander was soon an obsolete term. The
Walkers, fuckers. Mattinglys, Lloyds,
Morsans. Burroughs, Martins Clarkes
Lees and other families soon felt that they
were part and parcel Of the city I'M
proved conditions drew their hitherto iso-
lated section closer to the more populous
portion of the capital.
The Ceremonies.
The account of the ceremonies connected
with the laying Of the corner stone pre-
served in the archives of the Smithsonian
Institution. shows that 1t was an event of
Tar more than ordinary importance at that
time The day was by proclamation a pub
lie holiday in Washington. The exercises
were In charge of the Masons, and lodges
were invited from all the neighboring
states Many came from Baltimore and
Philadelphia and Joined in the demonstra-
tion. Beverly Randolph was the marshall
fn-chief, Col. James Page, grand master
OF Pennsylvania, headed the PhiladelOhia
delegation. and Charles Gilman, grand
master Of Maryland, led the Baltimore del
egation. The Masons of Washington,
Georgetown and Alexandria were headed
by t. Il. French grand master of the Dis
trict Of Columbia The procession of Ma
sens was one of the largest ever seen in
the District Hardly less imposing was the
parade of Odd Fellows. whose splendid
gala added to the spectacular features of
the procession. DIR. w. B. Magruder acted
as grand marshal. DIR. Joseph Borrows as
grand master and DIR. Flodoardo Howard
as deputy grand master.
Route of the Parade.
The procession formed at the city hall
at IL o'clock. marched TO the Presidents
house TO the music of the Marine Band,
the National Brass Band. under the lead
ership OF Mr.. Massoetti. and Garc,a's
Band from Alexandria. The column
moved down AZ street to Pennsylvania
avenue. to 9Th, up 7th 10 E, on E to 11th,
up 11th TO F. and thence on F to the White
House, where President Polk his cabinet
ministers and the members of the diplo-
matte corps met the procession and were
escorted down Louisiana avenue and I2th
aN - -T