Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-04-15
Tendency to IndisCriminate Criticism Of
Public Men Deplored.
EXCESSES ALWAYS INVITE REACTION
OverCensure Generally Results in Benefit to
Real 0ulprits,
OFFICE BUILDING FOR coNGREssMEN
New Structure VIII he One of tho
Largest and Finest In Washington
-Masons Have Charge of
the Ceremonies.

WASHINGTON, ID. c.. April ito the
many memorable events which cluster
about the making of the nations capital
must be added one other. the laying of
the cornerstone of the Office building for
the house of representatives with solemn
Masonic ceremonies this afternoon.
The occasion was made notable by the
presence Of the president OF the United
states and many Of his cabinet, by the SUI
preme court, by the representatives of for
egn governments, by the senate and house
of representatives and large proportion
Of Washngtons population.
The day was ideal for such an important
ceremony, and without so much as even
trihing delay the immense stone which
occupied the northeast corner of the build
ing was placed in position with the ancient
ceremonials of the Masonic order.
Great attention has been paid to the care
and comfort of the thousands who were
accorded an opportunity to witness tho cx-
ercises and to listen to one OF the most
notable addresses ever delivered by the
president during his public career Flags
and bunting were everywhere Stand after
stand was provided and high above all the
other vantage places was tho presidents
box overlooking the capitol plaza and
fronting the great white capitol building
on the west and the library OF congress on
the east.
Presents InspirinE Picture.
Palms and growing plants were there and
the faint touch of the new green OF the
trees shading off into the richer green of
the plaza made an inspiring picture. To
this add the rich dress OF hundreds OF
knights Templar with their waving plumes
and the subdued costumes OF the Masons
with their lambskin aprons and white
gloves, the scarlet uniforms OF the Marine
band and the blue of the United States
Engineers band and the picture is com
plete.
President Roosevelt. accompanied by
members Of his cabinet and escorted by the
once Building commission, Speaker Joseph
G. Cannon. Representative W. +. Hepburn
of Iowa and ex-Representative James u.
Richardson of Tennessee. arrived conipafa-
lively early. When the president came into
view OF the immense audience roar OF
kindly welcome greeted him. Immediately
after the arrival of the president. the sem
ate OF the United States with Vice Presi-
dent Fairbanks at their head entered the
stand reserved for them. followed by q
large membership of the house of repre-
sentatives. Vice President Fairbanks took
! a seat to the left of the president, and his
presence, too, was loudly indicated by the
assemblage.
A large number OF women were on the
presidents stand among them being Mrs
Roosevelt. Mrs. Nicholas Longworth Mrs
Cowles, sister of the president and Mrs.
Fairbanks. Upon the arrival Of the Grand
Lodge of Masons Of the District of Column
| bia with Walter a. Brown. grand master,
at its head, the ceremony Of laying the
cornerstone began.
Contents of the BOX.
A hermitically- copper box contain
| ing an inside copper box with glass top
was then placed in position so that the
stone would completely envelop 1t.
The box contained the following articles
The Holy Bible; copy of the Declaration
of Independence; copy of the constitution
of the United States; American flag. pre-
sented by the boys of the Junior Republic;
copy of volume History of Capitol" au-
! tographs OF members of the United States
senate. April IA, 1906; an engraving and
| autograph of President Roosevelt; engrav-
/ ing and autograph of Vice President Fair
banks; pictures and autographs OF Mr.
Cannon, Mr.. Hepburn and Mr.. Richardson
of Tennessee; photographs and autographs
Of members of cabinet; set of postage
stamps OF United States. 1906; list OF mem
bers of senate and house. 1906; list OF mem
bers of the supreme court OF the United
States. 1906; city papers. current issue, and
many other articles.
As the stone was lowered on fits founda
ton the marine band played the inter
mezzo from "CavalleT1a Rusticana." The
corn, wine and oil were then in turn poured
upon the stone by the grand master. accord
ing TO ancient custom, an octette OF male
voices chanting as the corn fell from the
silver fagon:
There shall be a handful OF corn in tbs
earth, upon the top Of the mountain; the
| fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon ant
they of the city shall flourish like tia
grass Of the earth.
When the wine was poured upon IN.
stone the octette sang:
And wine that maketh glad the heart o;
man and oil to make his face to shine
and bread which strengtheneth man'i
heart.
AS the oil was scattered the choil
chanted:
And Jacob set up a pillar in the plao,
where he talked with Him-even a pillar o
stone-and he poured drink Offering there
Address of Grand Master Brown.
Following these rites the grand master
Walter a. brown, delivered the following
address.
Grand Master Brown said In part:
Ladies. Gentlemen and Brethren-B Is,
IL known unto you tnat we be law
ful MasOns, true and faithful to tn
laws Of our country and engaEet
By solemn obligations 10 aid Ia Ia,
I erection Of public buildings by placing II
position the chef cornerstone WheneVe
called upon 10 do 80 by those having
charge OF the same.
These ceremonies which you have wit
messed have come down TO us from tim
[ immemoTial and are In themselves in
valuable 10 us as purely symbolic OF tina
1 spiritual building which each one OF US d
| engaged in erecting during our natura
life; and as In this Temporal building abOu
I 70 be erected We nave proved the chile
/ cornerstone 10 be well formed, true an,
, Z trusty, let each enc OF us be sure that II
the spiritual building our chief cornerstone
| be likewise well formed, true and trusty.
| This gavel known as the Washington
/ gavel, was made out Of the marble use,
, In the construction OF the United State
| capitol and for the specific purpose of am
| used for the first time IN laying IN
, ! cornerstone of that edihce, September 1s
, l1s3. This ceremony Was performed witt
| full Masonic rites by General Gcorg
. Washington. acting grand master an,
upon the completion Of ths eeremonl