The Weekly Tallahasseean., 1902-01-17
WITH IMPOSING CEREMONIES.
Capitol Corner Stone Laying an Important Epoch
in History of Tallahassee.

| tuesday was an epoch marking
period in the history of the CaDilaI
Caty. 1t was day of paramount i'm
portance, inaSmuch as it witnessed
what might be aptly termed the demise
OF the old and the birth of the new
Tallahassee. 1t did more than this; it
cemented and sealed the bonds that
bind the State Capital to this beautiful
and historic old town for all time to
come. 1t inspired the people with
stronger hopes of future greatness. and
consigned to the tomb the hopes of
those who desired to remove the seat
OF government to some "mOre favored
city,
For years Tallahassee had been in a
comatOse condition. Noticing this.
some shrewd individual conceived the
ldea that Jacksonville should, by rights.
be the State Capital. He made his
wants known. Other cities hankered
after the plum, and the fight was pre-
cipitated.
Thus rudely awakened from her
peaceful slumbers, the Queen City of
the South realized that something
must be done, and that instantly. The
hgnt was on. 1t was a life and death
struggle. Defeat meant the removal
OF the State Capital and death to the
hopes entertained by many of making
this a great city. The people were
aroused to the seriousness of the prob
lem confronting them. They pulled
themselves together and went to work.
The struggle that followed was long
and bitter. The opposition to TaIla-
hassee had assumed giant proportions
seemingly. 1t was well organized and
made great noise.
They had calculated without their
nosts, however. The sentiments of the
masses were aroused. The result of
the contest was not long in doubt. It
is part of history, and when the final
battle OF the ballots occurred in No
ember, 1900, Tallahassee scored an
overwhelming victory. The people had
spoken. Their voices rose in a mighty
ShOut prOclaiming NO to the DrOposi-
tlon TO remove the seat of government.
To add emphasis to the verdict. the
Legislature of 1901 appropriated S75,-
OOO for the improvement of the State
capitol. The Capitol Improvement
commission was appointed as follows:
Governor William S. Jennings, 'ex-
oficio chairman; Comptroller A. c.
Groom, eX-oficio secretary; w, A.
Blount, G. NJ. Brown and H: J. Drane.
These gentlemen were eminently fitted
for membership on the commission.
They entered upon their duties with
enthusiasm. Bids were advertised for
and the contract awarded last Septem-
Der. In November ground was broken
for the addition to the building. and
work was begun.
Last week an invitation was extend
ed to Jackson Lodge, No. 1, F. & A.
M, to take charge of the cornerstone
laying. A committee from that lodge.
consisting of J. F. Spears, Victor F.
BalkcOm and DR.. W. E. Lewis. was
appointed to complete ARRANGEMENTS
for the ceremonies. An invitation ex-
tended to the mayor and City Council
to attend was accepted.
Promptly at noon on Tuesday, Jan
uary IA, 1902, the Masonic Lodge. with
all parapharnalia, marched to the capi-
tOl grounds, where a stand had been
erected at the northeast corner of the
addition. The stand was appropriately
draped in bunting and evergreens, pre-
senting a beautiful appearance
A large crowd had preceded the Ma
sons. The Florida State College and
Leon Academy took a vacation to at
tend the ceremonies, the students of
each marching in body to the capt.
tol grounds. ALI the stores of the city
closed for the occasion, and there were
many strangers present.
The cornerstone was laid with i'm
pressive ceremonies. Past Grand Mas
ter Angus Patterson, of! Madison, Off
ciated as Grand Master. PRAYER was
offered by Prof. Buchholz, of the Flor |
ida State College.
After depOsiting the following me-
mentoes in their receptacle, the stone |
was placed in position and hermeti- |
cally sealed:
List of Capitol Improvement Com |
mission, governor, cabinet, other Off |
c1als and employees in capitol, January |
18th, 1902.
Appointment Of w. A. Blount, of ES-
Gambia county; C. M. Brown, of Mar