The age-herald., 1898-12-14
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
 AND ELSEWHERE


 that Ex-Governor Stone, of Missouri, had also weakened on this question. One of the state papers had an editorial para graph regarding MT. sibley, which said that MT. sibey had stated that the silver ques- tion was a dead issue. l clipped this para graph out and sent it to Mir Slbley, and he promptly replied, saying among other things, I have made no public declaration on the financial question and no private one as reported in the clipping you forwarded me. My views upon bimetallism, my dear friend, are not controlled by impulse or by questions of policy, but rest upon deep seated convictions touching economic truths
 T am sure," continued the gentleman, that the report about Governor Stone is also untrue"
 There is already considerable talk about candidates for delegates to the constitu- tional convention, which is promised for next summer."I do not believe that good men will be in any hurry to announce themselves as candidates" said a polite ian.
 Tt is doubtful if many of our best men will announce themselves at all," said an- other "and more doubtful still if they can be elected"
 "I am not so sure about that" observed the first speaker. "I do not see any reason why the Jefferson county delegates, for ex- ample should not be men entirely quail fled to serve in a constitutional convention. The voters do not always desire strong men in public office, but Jefferson, of all counties, cannot afford to send common place delegation to assist in framing the fundamental law of the state. The consti- tutional convention will not be the proper place for political hacks or mental mo- bodies. And it is earnestly to be hoped that the voters will make up their minds at the outset to select delegates from the best and ablest class of citizens. The duties of the constitutional convention will be far more important than those of the legislature. Almost anybody may be sent to the leglsa- ture, and no particular harm done. With the convention it is quite different. We need strong men in the convention"
 "The Masonic Grand Lodge of Virginia, having recently extended cordial invita- tion to the Prince of Wales, as Most Wor- shipful Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England-the mother grand lodge of the Torld-to attend the services at Mt. Vernon, December IA, 1899, on the occasion of the observance of the tooth anniversary of the death Of George Washington, is awaiting with keen interest His Royal Highnesss reply" said William Ryan, a member of the Virginia grand lodge.
 Tn addition to the Masonic communica- tion which has been sent, President Me- Kinley, a member of the fraternity, has sent a message to His Royal Highness, urg- ing him to accept and inviting him to be his guest at the White House. There is con- siderable speculation over the matter. While the function at Washington's tomb Is to be strictly Masonic, the acceptance of the invitation by the heir apparent would be in a certain degree political and diplo- matic not to say delicate, and that being so, His Royal Highness would, according to precedent have first to consult the queen and then the prime minister The approval of her majesty and the government being given. the question of the queens health would have to be considered Should the life of the queen be spared another year her health might be so precarous to render the princes absence from home inadvisable. I the Grand Lodges invitation he can be assured of a warm welcome-a welcome that would be significant and far-reaching in it's effect, in view of the entente now ex- isting between Great Britain and the United States. A crack commandery of Knights Templar of Albany, N. Y., has rendered It's services as Masonic escort to the prince while in this country. On the occasion of
 
 Lodge will assemble in the room of Alex andria-Washington lodge at Aexdria, Va, where the Masonic regalia of the Father of His Country is on exhibition. This regalia includes the apron embroidered by the wife of Lafayette Washington was worshipful master of Alexandria Washington lodge, but it was in Fredericksburg lodge that the great patriot was initiated, passed and raised.
 '"The question is sometimes asked, Is the Prince of Wales much of a Mason, or is he only figure-head grand master? He is very much of a Mason-a real grand mas ter-as Edward Letchworth, c. F. Matter, or any other officers of the Masonic secre- tariat of England, can testify. His Royal Highness is indeed an ardent craftsman and a business-like executive. He holds the grand mastership by annual election. But being grand master, he gives much time to the duties of his office. While the pro-grand master is more in the Masonic foreground than the Prince of Wales, yet His Royal Highness knows all that is going on. He pays frequent visits to the Grand Lodge office to look after the affairs of the craft, and though he does not attend lodge meet ings as often as some of the less busy brethren, when he does attend he presdes with grace and takes the principal part in the degree work"
 "The Prince of Waies is not only the head of the grand lodge, but he is the ruler of all the other supreme bodies in England except the supreme council of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Free masonry. Of the latter he is grand patron or honorary president. The fine, pictures que old gentleman, the Earl of Lathom, al fol al,o f,,r+ tol,t