The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1901-03-17


NJ lowed mantle Of the great Albert
WV Pike, and with il all the pomp
and sanctity of the worlds high.
est Masonic rank. nov falls upon the
shoulders Of Representative James d.
Richardson Of Tennessee In other
words. Mr.. Richardson succeeds 10 the
exalted Office Of Sovereign Grand
Commander Of the Southern Jurlsiic-
ton Of the Ancient and Accepted Scot
fish Rite OF Free Masonry. This IL
fee 1ss recently left vacant by he
death Of Thomas II CasweIl o. San
Francisco
Mr.. Richardson becomes a veTitabie
potentafe within the Masonic sphere.
Few foreign mOnarchs viii be more
gorgeously enthroned, more picIHT-
esquely surrounded, more ceremoli-
ously attended than will be while for
mslly executing the princely functions
Of his high Office
lie succeeds TO a life position He
will have at his disposal a palatially
appointed dwelling IN which he may
house himself and his family for the
remainder Of his days. He falls heir
10 a generous salary. When he trav-
els far and wide upon the many Of
fetal missions prescribed for him his
expenses will be paid without stipnla-
tion or limitation. At the same time
he viii be perm led 20 retain his seat
in Congress and draw the salary &C
cruing ;herefrom.
Mr.. Richardson becomes the ranking
Mason Of the world by virtue OF two
facts: First that he Scottish Rite
confers the highest Masonic degree
the 33d: second. that he will preside
over the worlds Oldest or mother
Supreme Council OF that order. Thus
ne can claim Masonic superiority over
the Prince OF Wales and President
Diaz Of Mexico respectively Grand Pa
tron and Grand Commander OF Scot
tish Rite Masons OF their countries
Better of Than Speaker.
AS Sovereign Grand Commander Mr..
Richardson win draw a Masonic salary
OF $1,000 a year for life. This. added
20 his Congressional salary OF $4,000
per annum, will aggregate for him the
same allowance prescribed for the
Speaker OF the House OF Representa-
tives. Mr. Richardson has aspired TO
the Speakership ever since he has
been the Democratic leader on the
floor Of the House. While serving
both as Sovereign Grand Commander
and as Representative he will be even
better of. financially. than II merely the
Speaker. Uncle Sam does not furnish |
the Speaker Of HIS lower legislative |
body a palatial dwelling, as does John |
Bull
The Holy House of the Temple at |
Third and F. streets, will be at Mr.. /
Richardson's disposal whenever he |
may choose to occupy Il. II is owned |
by the Scottish Rite Masons and is
valued at sl50.000 Its modest exte- |
rior bears no suggestion OF the luxuri- |
Gus appointments within. II is three
story brick building with plain front |
and with two bay windows at the side, |
Above the entrance are chiseled and |
tinted with gold ten Samaritan char
acters forming the inscription Holy
House OF the Temple"
Mr.. Richardson's bed chamber Is a
capacious room on the third floor. II
is furnished with a handsome mahog
any folding bed. couch. bureau. several
tables and chairs and luxurious rug.
The mantlepiece is cut OF white mar
BILE and the walls are hung with valu-
able oil paintings purchased bv Albert
Pike A large photograph of the great
Mason himself looks down upon his
Piled upon the tables are
numerous books of rare value. The
room Is situated in the corner OF the
and is lighted by six windows.
Directly adjacent is private bath.
with porcelain tub and tiled floor and
walls Distributed about the Temple
are eight similar apartments. each
with private bath These will be at
the disposal Of such members of Mr..
family as he NAV care
10 house within the building Such as
are vacant will be used BY committee
rhairmen of the Supreme Council dur
Ink meetings Of that august body.
These rooms have been furnished by
various States Of the Southern Juris-
fiction.
His Well Furnished Office.
The Office OF the new Sovereign
Grand Commander occupies similar
space upon the second floor II con-
aims two mahogany desks, bookcases
md all modern office Injuries. Across
he hall is a small chamber upon the
walls Of which is placed a triangular
lrass tablet marking the apartment as
he hallowed place in which General
Albert Pike. General J. y. Bachelor
md Judge p c. Tucker. former Sow :
reign Grand Commanders. departed
his life. Upon the adjoining wall
angs. within glass frame, the pencil 9
sith which General ike. upon his |
wrote the lines:
-Shsloms Peace-that comes with Q
leasing 70 carefretted. weary men,
hen Deaths dreamless sleep ends
II suffering and sorrow"
These words as originally written
y the great Mason. are framed with \
be pencil
The gorgeous throne upon which :
n. Richardson win sit while exercis-
IL the formal functions OF his kingly =
ffce overlooks q grand hall known as :,
he Senate Chamber Of the Supreme :,
ouneil This chamber Is entered :
ON the west by two ante-rooms. and :
hove il rises a domed ceiling lined
it'll electric burners. The floor is COW :
ned by a luxurious red carpet The !
des OF the room are lined with hign =
inches erected upon platforms and y
served for visiting Masons OF the =
sd and last degree" Just beneath u
Re thirtyShree desks occupied by
embers Of the Senate Of the SD -
'eme Council when that body is in !,
ssion. -
Mr.. Richardson's throne is males 70
: seat OF white and gold. elevated ~
'on a dais approached by three steps. re
is sheltered by heavy canopy 81 %
yal purple velvet and silk. bordered &c
III gold fringe and gold tassels. Be III