Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1899-12-14
MEMORIAL DAY.
A CENTENARY OBJ Sc RV-
ANCE
OF Washington's Death : Church Bells
Toll-The Flag at Half Mast
Daughters of American
Revolution Cele-

Today marked the one hundred,h an
niversary OF the death of General George
Washington, and the day was ushered in
by the bells in some of the church spires,
tolling requium for the first President
Of the United States.
What changes which have come over
the nation since the days of yore, when
it was confined to shallow, settled strip
along the Atlantic coast. TO the present
time. when its dimensions make girdle
almost around the world. Annapolis is
an interesting place for the student OF
history.
Here, in the Senate Chamber, the Fa-
ther OF His Country. and the founder of
this great and glorious republic resigned
his commission as commander-in-chief OF
the army. Within these portals. where
the hand of vandals has destroyed the
original design and decoration OF Wash
ington's day, he stood. and went in and
out familiar figure. Here he enjoyed
social as well as political life.
Some of the best portraits OF Washing
ton are said to adorn the walls Of the
Senate and House OF Delegates. and it is
hoped that some day these halls may be
restored to the simple and disnihed con-
di,ion they were in when Washington
passed within their portals. Perhaps
Annapolis is one OF the few places where
the day was NOT generally observed. A
delegation of Masons and Red Men went
to Mount Vernon to participate in the ex-
eIcises there.
The Peggy Stewart Tea Party" chap
ter OF the Daughters OF the American
Revolution held memorial gathering at
the home OF the Regent. Mrs. James c.
Cresap, College avenue. Mrs. Gearing
read paper descriptive of the last ILL
ness and the death of Washington. Miss
Agnes Walton sang several patriotic airs,
and Mrs. Cresap read incidents of the
illness of the Father of his County.
Teachers in the schools had talks with
the pupils commemorative of the day.
The flag on the dome OF the State House
was at half mast, and flags were display
ed on public and private buildings in
the city at hall mast or tied with black.
From all parts OF the country come re-
ports that the day was 6ttingly commem-
Grated.
The question of which city first erect
ed monument to Washington, has been
often discussed. and various municipali-
ties have put forth their claims, AT this
time it is not out of place TO settle the
question by giving the credit to his ma
tive State, Virginia. From papers in
possession OF Miss Margaretta Wash
ington, it is shown that on December az,
1884. the Legislature of that Common
wealth passed resolution which read:
Resolved, That the Executive be re-
quested 10 take measures for procuring q
statue of General Washington to be OF
the finest marble and best workmanship,
with the following inscription on the ped
estal:
The General Assembly of the Com
monwealth OF Virginia have caused this
Statue to be erected as a Monument oi
Affection and Gratitude to George Wash
ington, who, possessing the sndowments
OF the Hero, and the Virtues of the Pa
triot, and exerting both in establishing
the Liberties OF his Country, has render
ed his name dear to his Fellow Citizens
and given the World an immortal exam
pie of true Glory F."
The President and all the members Of
the Cabinet with the exception of Secre-
tary Root went to Mount Vernon today
and participated in the memorial services
on the anniversary Of Washington's death
The Masons had services at the tomb in
the forenoon and the Improved Order of
Red Men like meeting in the afternoon.
The President made a five-minute ad.
dress from the steps OF the mansion at
the morning services. and was followed
by speech from Judge Duke. the grand
Mason Of Virginia. The order of exer-
cises under the Masonic Grand Lodge OF
Virginia was practically the same as car
ried out when the remains OF General
Washington were first consigned to the
tomb. Wreaths to be placed on Wash
ington's tomb came from various parts OF
the country.