Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-11-07

celebration of this anniversary, to say
something on this subject. Mr. Wight re-
sponded, and after expressing his gratif-
cation that theEsooiety had made such a
valuable contribution to the information re-
lating to this important period Of the Dis
tr1ct, he gave brief account of the COM
mittee and the work. He said that in Oc-
tober OF last year public meeting of citi-
zens was held to consider what should be
done to prepare for the proposed celebra-
tion He was chosen chairman or that
NEE ing, and was authorized by a resolu-
ton to appoint a committee OF nine. He
performed this duty and selected those who
mad been previously in charge OF large
ceremonies, such as inaugurations, etc 1t
was decided by the committee that the
celebration should be national in charac-
ter and a conference was had with the
fresioen,, with the result that reference
was MADE to the proposed celebration by
the President in his message to the last
session Of Congress.
A public meeting was then called, said
Mr.. Wight, which was held at Willard Hall
February last and a report was made of
the appointment of the committee and what
action 1t had already taken. The report
was approved and the committee was au-
thorized to proceed. He then referred to
the law passed by the last Congress pro-
vidlng for the appointment of a committee
by the House and Senate. and of a
committee at large by the President
to act in conjunction with the citizens of
the District of Columbia to prepare plans
for the. proposed celebration. This plan Is
TO De submitted to the President and Con-
gress He stated that a meeting of the
entire committee would be held the 21st
OF December. it being supposed that by
That time the House would appoint its
committee He said the local committee
mad no power to make plans, but in order
10 facilltate matters, 1t has been consider
ing the subject, and also a date for hold
ing celebration. 1t was thought there
ought TO be something permanent TO com
memorate the occasion, but exactly what
That was to be had not of course been de-
clded A suggestion was made that tho
corner stone of the proposed memorial
prloge across the Potomac should be laid
at that time, and the structure be made
memorial. A memorial arch has been sug-
sesteu, and also building for municipal
purposes He said that soon as the full
committee could meet and decide upon some
definite plan it would be necessary Ito
nave the cooperation of all citizens in
perlecung the arrangements make
the celebration worthy of the occasion
Brief remarks were made by Messrs ST.
mon Wolf. J. NJ. Cults A. r. Spofford and
w. b. Bryan in regard to the question of
the date when this District became the seat
OF government 1t was thought by some
OF the speakers, as well as by President
kasson, who closed the discussion, that
there was historically quite a wide option
1or the choice of a date, and that local
ana general conditions and the season of
the year might well have weight in deter
mining the question.
Upon the motion of Mr.. Spotford the
chalr was authorized to appoint a COM
hiiltee OF nVe to prepare a statement of the
historic facts connected with the removal
or the seat of government to this District,
ana to report at the next meeting The
chalr stated that he would announce the
names of the committee later. The society
then adjourned.