The Washington times., 1903-10-26
A KING AMONG MASONS
IS JAMES D. RICHARDSON
Greatest Honor of Royal Or
der Bestowed on Him.
MOST EXALTED TITLE Is HIS
As Provincial Grand Master, Tennessean
Representative Is Invested With
Honor Only Thrice Held.
MOST EXALTED TITLE is HIS

BY his election to the Office of provin-
cial grand master OF the Royal Order Of
Scotland Of America, at the reception
in Scottish Rite Hall, on Tuesday even
ing. the Hon James d. Richardson,
member OF Congress from Tennessee,
end grand commander OF the Southern
Jurisdiction Ancient and Accepted Scot
fish Rite Masons. was elevated to the
highest Masonic position in the world,
and Is the ranking man In every organi-
zation with which Masons are in any
wise connected.
The Royal Order of Scotland is in no
way connected With the Scottish Rite
Order CT Masonry. The Royal Order is.
however, composed of the highest off,
cial members OF the Scottish Rite or
yanization, as only the most exalted
and eminent Scottish Rite Masons are
eligible for membership TO the Royal
Order. The Royal Order is styled the
social organization of Scottish Rite
Masonry.
Has Power of an Emperor.
AS the grand commander of the SUI
preme Council OF the Southern Jurisdie-
ton. which was founded I'm 1909. and is
the oldest organization of Masons in
the world. Mr. Richardson holds the
a
The position will be permanent as long
as he lives. and besides sitting on
throne not greatly unlike that or
king or emperor, he receives salary of
50, 600 per annum. has all of his railroad
and other expenses paid whenever he
turns his hand to Masonic business. In
addition to that he may live in a pala-
tial residence free and have servants
furnished him by the members of the
organization over which he presides.
AS commander of the Southern Juris-
diction. he has control over the Masonic
organizations in all States except Maine.
New Hampshire. Vermont. Massaohu-
sets, Rhode Island. Connecticut. New
York. New Jersey. Delaware. PennsyI-
vania, Maryland. Ohio, Indiana. and
Wisconsin. Those States come within
the limits OF the Northern Jurisdiction.
presided over by another commander.
Mr.. Richardson also controls Masous
in Hawaii. China. Japan. the Philip
pines. Guam. Cuba. Porto Rico. and as
fast as the United States can procure
new possessions his power VIII extend.
Mr.. Richardson Joined an Alabama
lodge of Masons in 1865. and one posi-
ton Of rank has been HIS stepping stone
| for e higher Office. At the time OF the
| death of Thomas II. Caswell. in 1901.
Mr.. Richardson was lieutenant grand
commander OF the Southern Jurisdic-
| ton. He succeeded to the commander
ship. and has been leader OF the 5u-
preme Council almost three years. Dur
ing this period the organization has
! fiourished as never before because Of
his hard and untiring efforts
His First Step on Ladder of Fame
At the time he received the thirty
third degree and was an active inspec-
| tor general, Mr.. Richardson became a
member or the Royal Order OF Scotland
He Immediately budded into promi-
nence. He was second in rank TO Josiah
Drummond. OF Maine. provincial grand
master of America. at the time OF Mr..
Drummond's demise. The Grand Lodge
OF the Royal Order, at Edinburgh, was
appraised OF Mr. Drummond's death,
and appointed Mr.. Richardson to act as
provincial grand master until confirmed
by the American members OF the Royal
order of Scotland. This confirmation
came last Tuesday night. when Mr..
Richardson was unanimously declared
elected to the high Office.
There are about 800 members Of the
Royal Order in America The Grand
Lodge has designated provinces
| through the world. and the United
States and Canada form one OF the prov
] inces For that reason the highest
dignitary is styled provincial grand
master. The first one to hold that title
was General Pike. who was the organ
izer OF the society on this continent.
Mr. Drummond succeeded General Pike.
/ and Hon. James Richardson is the third
| man TO hold the Office.