Evening star., 1903-11-28
LEADER. OF MASONRY
Representative Richardson
and His Life Work.
EXALTED POSITION
WILL LEAVE CONGRESS TO BET
TER PERFORM NEW DUTIES.
Sovereign Grand Commander Of the
Supreme Council-Succeeded
Albert Pike.
EXALTED POSITION

Written for The Evening Star.
Here is the story Of a man to whom Ma
sonic eminence hath charms far greater
than the leadership of his party In the
United States House of Representatives.;
than a fair chance of some day becoming
Speaker of that body; than fafrer chance
of elevation to the federal Senate
In the last two Congresses James Daniel
Richardson of Tennessee received all of the
democratic votes of the House OF Repre-
sentatives for Speaker Of that body. This
honor carried with it the undisputed leader
ship of the minority upon the moor or the
House. The same laurels were ready for the
tall Tennesseean this month had he but
chosen to accept them; but he thrust them
aside and they fell upon the head or John
Sharp Williams of Mississippi. NOW KEEP
reSentative Richardson announces that ne
will retire from Congress altogether; Will
give up generous salary with ITS hand-
some perquisites for a stipend which Will
amount to hardly half as much, all told.
And why?
Two years ago the ha1lowed Masonic man
tie Of the great Albert Pike fell upon Mr..
Richardson's high. square shoulders. In
other words. he became. for life, sovereign
grand commander of the Supreme Councli,
Thirty-third Degree. Ancient and Accepted
Scottish Rite of Free Masonry, Southern
Jurisdiction, Mother Council of the World
Fellow Masons of his jurisdiction claim
that the occupant of the royal purple
throne of Albert Pike is the highest Mason
in the world, because the Scottish Kite con-
fers the highest legitimate degree-the
thirty third-and because our Southern Su-
preme Council-founded in Charleston, s.
c., in May, 19O1-is the oldest Of that order
In other words, according to this claim,
should all of the high Masons of the world
meet in a grand conclave, Sovereign Grand
Commander Richardson would take pre-
cedence over them all-over the Duke OF
Connaught and the president Of Mexico,
ranking Masons of their respective coun-
tries
Thinks Masonry More Exalted.
'sI shall retire from politics. and whatever
of ability and talent 1 possess shall be
dedicated to the Office of grand commander
and to the propagation of Scottish Ma
sonry," said Mr.. Richardson the other day,
81 do not take this step reluctantly or
with the slightest regret. not do I take 1t
without the fullest consideration. The only
hesitation l have had on the question has
been due to a sense of duty l owe to my
family, myself and to most generous
constituency, who for so long time have
honored me with their support and con-
fidence and who have never manifested
the disposition to withdraw that support
and confidence, or to cease bestoWlng
honorS upon me.
81 realize that when 1 retire from public
life 1 give up an honorable ambition and
voluntarily surrender an exalted position.
1t is no mean calling nor slight honor to
be the chosen representative of 100000 free
people of this great republic. But in taking
this step / feel that / am promoted to
more exalted station, and l count myself
exceedingly fortunate that 1 can lay
down the troubles, perpleXities and bur
dens of politics, and assume duties that
should bring one contentment, tran
quilIty, satisfaction, and peace of
mind. I prefer to withdraw from the arena
>F nr1 tn hn ncyrJ1I nf 40 nynv
quit contentious, strife, wrangles and dis
sensions for the alluring paths Of friend
ship, love and union"
Quits Chair for Throne.
Mr.. Richardson will quit a chair for a
throne. He is a veritable potentate within
the Masonic realm. Few foreign monarchs
are more gorgeously enthroned, more pic
turesquely surrounded, more tremendously
attended than is he while executing the
princely functions of his high office.
1.-The Holy House of the Temple" where
he sits in state, where he daily performs
his practical duties and where he and his
family may abide without cost If they
choose, is situated at Sd and streets
northwest. Although palatial within, it is
extremely democratic without, yet it rep
resents value of $150000 1t is owned by
the Scottish Rite Masons, having been
bought by Gen. Albert Pike in 1888, and
has since been enlarged to considerable
u
maritan characters, chisled into the stone
and gilded. These, translated, read Holy
House of the Temple"
The throne upon which Sovereign Grand
Commander Richardson sits in state over
looks a grand hall known as the senate
chamber of the Supreme Council. This
hail. on the second floor of the holy house,
is entered through two ante chambers.
Above it rises a high, domed ceiling lined
with electric burners. The floor is COW
cred with luxurious crimson carpet. The
sides of the great chamber are lined with
high benches erected upon platforms and
reserved for Masons of the thirty-third and
last degree. Just beneath these elevated
seats, on each side, are thirty-three desks
occupied by members of the senate of the
Supreme Council when that dignified body
is in session.
The throne Itself is a majestic seat ele-
waited upon a dais approached by three
steps. 1t is sheltered by a heavy canopy
of royal purple velvet and silk bordered by
gold fringe and gold tassels. Before 1t
stands a gold and white pedestal with
triangular top. holding a gavel. Upon the
floor of the hall and directly in front of this
pedestal Is an altar supporting a lamp
which burns incense while he sits in state.
Upon the right and left Of the throne
proper are two smaller ones for the grand
chancellor and grand minister of state.
In the center of the throne room IS
white altar upon which thirty-third degree
Masons take their solemn obligations.
Three small thrones for the lieutenant
grand commander grand prior and grand
standard bearer of the order occupy the
end Of the hall opposite to that of the
great throne of the sovereign grand COM
mander. Above these three small seats
of state rises choir loft extending across
the width of the hall and containing a
large pipe organ.
Jewels Of Office.
While sitting in state Mr.. Richardson
wears a large triangular collar of white
cloth. embroidered in gold and bright col
ors. Placing his head through the triangu-
lar aperture, he arranges 1t SO that the
two upper points extend over his shoulders
and the third hangs to his waist. The
lower point Is embroidered with a small
triangle inclosing the number "33'' and
surrounded by a rayed sun. Upon the
right are embroidered the American and
Scottish Rite flags crossed; upon the left
the eagle of the Supreme Council beneath
a Kadosh jewel. Appended to the lower
point of the collar is the Sovereign grand
commanders jewel" a Masonic emblem
displayed upon an array of stars and ray
ed sun of silver covered with diamonds.
Below this he wears the apron Of the last
Masonic degree.
When signing any official Masonic COM