The Washington times., 1903-04-19
HAS
LABORED ia YEARS

dropped from the roll for uon-regular
attendance and so reported. That all
dues charged on the lodge books be
abandoned as uucoHectabIe, and that
regular dues be collected from the ac-
kaowIedsed members from and after the
regular meeting in this month and from
which the organization is to be dated
The first home Of the lodge was in
Jefferson Street. below NJ In 1870 this
building was sold and one purchased in
/ ThiTteth Street. where the lodge met
until it moved to the present hall in
Thirty-second Street
Capitol Cornerstone Laying.
The following account of the cere-
mony Of the laying of the cornerstone VI
the Capitol was published in q George
town paper, showing the connection Of
Potomac Lodge with the Masonic cere-
monies.
Georgetown. Sept p, 1898
ON Wednesday one Of the grandest
Masonic professions took place. for the
purpose of laying the cornerstone Of the
National Capitol, which. perhaps. ever
was exhibited on the like important
ocasion About 10 O'Clock lodge No g,
tafteTward known as Potomac Lodge No.
81, was visited by that congregation so
graceful to the craft, Lodge No. % Of
Virginia. with ali their officers and re
gala; and directly afterward appeared
on the Southern banks OF the great
river Potowmack, one of the Inest com
panies of volunteer artillery that hath
been lately seen. parading to receive the
President Of the United States, who
shortly came in sight with his suite, 20
whom the artillery paid their military
honors; and His EZcelleucy and suite
crossed the Potowmaek, and was re-
ceived in Maryland by the officers and
brethren of No. -, Virginia. snd Potow-
mack Lodge No. ,, who the President
headed and preceded by band of music:
The rear brought up by Alexandria yolun-
ter artillery. with grand soIemnity OF
march. proceeded to the Presidents
Square. in the City OF Washington.
where they met and saIuted by No. IS,
Of the City of Washington, in all their
elegant badges and clothing, headed by
Brother Joseph Clark, Ri W G. II. P.
pared for the purpose of their reception
After q short space Of time, by the
vigilance Of Brother CI0tw0rthy
Stephenson, grand marshal p T. the
brotherhood and other bodies were dis
posed in a second order OF procession, /
which took place amid brilliant crowd
Of spectators Of both sexes. according
TO the following arrangement viz: The
Surveying Department of the city OF
Washington, mayor and corporation OF
Georgetown, Virginia artillery, Commits
sioners OF the city of Washington and
their attendants, stone cutters me
chanics. Here follow all the officers
Of Free Masonry, among whom appears
Grand Master P, T George Washing
ton, worshipful master of No. -, Viz
ginia-l
The procession marched two abreast
in the greatest solemn dignity with
music playing, drums beating, coIors
flying, and spectators rejoicing, from the
Presidents square 10 the Capitol in
the city of Washington, where the
grand marshal ordered halt and di-
rected each file in the procession to in
cline two steps, one TO the right and one
formed q hollow oblong square, through /
which the grand sword bearer led the /
van, followed by the grand master p /
T. on the left, the President OF the (
United States IN the center. and the !
wOrshipfuI master OF No ., Virginia. /
on the right; all the other orders that !
composed the procession advanced Ia the 1
reverse Of their order OF march from
the Presidents square 10 the southeast /
corner Of the Capitol, and the artillery /
filed of 10 d destined ground to display /
their maneuyers and discharge their +
cannon, the President Of the United +
States. ne grand master P T. and wor- /
shipfui master Of No. p. taking their I
stauG TO the east OF a huge stone. and {
all the craft forming circle westward. /
stood a short time in an awful order.
Inscription on the Plate.
The artillery discharged volley.
"The grand marshal delivered TO the /
commissioners large silver plate with /
an inscription thereon. which the com /
missiouers ordered TO be read. and was (
as follows: I
This southeast cornerstone Of the /
Capitol Of the United States OF America. /
in the city OF Washington was laid on F..
the 18th day Of September, 1888. in the !
thirteenth year Of American indepen-
dence. in the first year Of the second /
term Of the Presidency or George WASH (
iugson Whose virtues in the civil ad- /
ministration Of his cCtntTy have been so /
conspicuous and beneficial as his mill +
lary valOr and prudence have been use /
Iul in establishing her llbeTties) ana in /.
the year OF Masonry, 1893. by the Presi- /
dent Of the United States, in concert /
with the Grand Lodge OF Maryland, sew
eral lodges under its jurisdiction. and /
Lodge No. y, from Alexandria Va.
THOMAS JOHNSON.
DAVID STUART,
DANIEL CARROLL.
-.COmmi ssiOners.