Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-12
NOW RANKING MASON
Exalted Position Occupied by Repre-
sentative Richardson.
FINE QUARTERS IN TEE TEMPLE
Becomes a VeritabIe Potentate
Within the Order.
DUTIES AND EMOLUMENTS
DUTIES AND EMOLUMENTS

bert Pike, and with It all the pomp and
sanctity Of the worlds highest Masonic
rank, now falls upon the shoulders Of Rep
resentative James D. Richardson of Ten
nessee. In other words, Mr.. Richardson
succeeds to the exalted office Of Sovereign
Grand Commander Of the Southern Juris-
diction Of the Ancient and Accepted Scot
tish Rite Of Free Masonry. This Office has
just been left vacant by the death of Thos.
H. Caswell of San Francisco.
Mr.. Richardson becomes veritable po-
tentate within the Masonic sphere. Few
foreign monarchs will be more gorgeously
enthroned, more picturesquely surrounded,
more tremendously attended than will he
while formally executing the princely func-
lions of his high office.
He succeeds to life position. He will
have at his disposal neutrality-suspicious.
dwelling in which he may house himself
and his family for the remainder OF his
days. He falls heir to a generous salary.
When he travels far and wide upon the
many official missions prescribed for him
his expenses will be paid without stipula-
ton or limitation. At the same time he
will be permitted to retain his seat in Con-
gress and to draw the salary accruing
therefrOm.
Mr.. Richardson becomes the ranking Ma
son of the world by virtue of two facts:
First. that the Scottish Rite confers the
highest Masonic degree-the thlrty-third'
second that he will preside over the world
oldest or mother supreme council of that
order. Thus he can claim Masonic superb
ority over the Prince of Wales and Presi-
dent Diaz of Mexico. respectively grand
patron and grand commander of Scottish
Rte Maspns of their countries.
Better OF Than Speaker.
AS sovereign grand commander Repre-
sentative Richardson will draw a Masonic
fnr
ed to his congressional salary of 5000 per
annum. will aggregate for him the same
allowance prescribed for the Speaker of
the House of Representative While serv-
ing both as sovereign grand commander ana
representative he will be even better OIL
financially than il merely Speaker. oncie
Sam does not furnish the Speaker OF MS
lower legislative body palatial dwelling
as does John Bull.
ardson has aspired to the speakershlp ever
since he has been democratic leader on the
floor of the House. While serving both as
sovereign grand commander and represent
alive he will be even better Off. hnanclaiiS'
than if merely Speaker. Uncle sam does
not furnish the Speaker of his lower leSls-
Iative body a palatial dwelling as does John
Bull.
1.-The Holy House of the Temple, at Sd
and Z streets northwest, will be at MY.
Richardson's disposal whenever lie may
choose to occupy it. 1t is owned by the
Scottish Rite Masons and is valued at
$500 It's modest exterior bears no sug-
gestiOn of the luxurious appointments with
in 1t is three-story brick building with
nlain front and with two bay windows at
the side Above the entrance are chiseled
and tinted with gold ten Samaritan charac-
tiers forming the inscription Holy House
of the Temple"
Mr.. Richardson's bed chamber is a capa-
cious room on the third floor. 1t is fur
nished with handsome mahogany folding
bed, couch, bureau, several tables and
chairs and a luxurious rug. The mantel is
cut of white marble and the walls are
hung with valuable oil paintings. purchased
by Albert Pike. A large photograph of the
great Mason himself looks down upon his
successor. Piled upon the tables are nu-
merous books of rare value The room is
situated in the corner of the building and
is lighted by six windows. Directly ada
cent is a private BATH with porcelain tub
and tiled floor and walls Distributed
about the temple are eight similar apart
ments. each with private bath. These vii!
be at the disposal of such members of Mr..
Richardson's family as he may care to
house within the building. Such as are va
can't will be used by committee chairmen
of the Supreme Council during meetings of
that august body. These rooms have been
furnished by various states of the southern
jurisdiction.
The Office Of the new sovereign grand
commander occupies similar space upon
the second floor. 1t contains two mahog-
any desks. book cases and all modern Of
chamber upon whose wall is placed tri-
angular brass tablet marking the apart
ment as the haIlowed place in which Gen.
Albert Pike, Gen. ]. c. Bachelor and Judge
P c. Tucker former sovereign grand COM
manders, departed this life. Upon the ad
joining wall hangs, within glass frame.
the pencil with which General Pike, upon
his deathbed. wrote the lines: "Shalom.
peace that comes with blessing to care
fretted. weary men when deaths dream
less sleep ends all suffering and sorrow"
These words as originally written by the
great Mason. are framed with his pencil.
His Gorgeous Throne.
The gorgeous throne upon which Mr..
Richardson will sit while exercising the
formal functions of his kingly office over
looks a grand hail. known as the senate
chamber Of the Supreme Council This hall
Is entered from the west by two ante
rooms. Above 1T rise a domed ceiling
lined with electric burners. The floor is
covered by luxurious red carpet. The
sides of the room are lined with high
benches erected upon platforms and re-
served for visiting Masons of the thirty
third and last degree" Just beneath are
thirty-three desks occupied by members
of the senate of the Supreme Council
when that body is in session.
Mr. Richardson's throne Is majestic seat
elevated upon a dais approached by three
| steps. 1t is sheltered by heavy canopy
of royal purple velvet and silk bordered
WIN SOlO fringe dHu SOlu tdS6elS before
1t is a gold and white pedestal with tri-
angular top, holding a gavel. Upon the
floor Of the hall and directly in front of
this pedestal stands an altar supporting a
lamp which will burn incense while Mr.
Richardson sits In state. Upon the right
and left of the throne proper are two SUBJ
thrones for the grand chancellor and grand
minister OF state. The large throne Is now
draped in crepe in memory of the death Of
Mr.. Caswell. Upon the seat rests the SOW
ereign grand commanders triple cross in
immorteles. In the center of the hall
stands a white altar, upon which thirty
third degree Masons take their solemn obli-
cations Three smaller thrones for the
lieutenant grand commander, grand prior
and grand standard bearer of the order
occupy the end of the room opposite to
where Mr.. Richardson will be stationed
Above these three subthrones rises a
choir loft. extending over the width of the
hall and containing large pipe organ. A
similar but smaller chamber. provided with
thrones, is occupied by knights command
ers of the court of honor. Scottish Rite
body intermediate between the thirty-sec-
ond and thirty-third degrees
Costly Jewels of Once