The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-02-16

fish Rite Masons. and one properly &C
credited representative from each grand
lodge"
This allows two representatives. to a
state and two from each nu.ional body.
making up a body Of some hundred
men OF the very aristocracy of the
guild
President Tnft's Contribution.
The first hundred dollars contribut ed
toward building the memorial was
given by no less a person than the
President OF the United states himself.
on February -. 1911. when the meet
ing OF the association was held. at
which the constitution was finally
adopted, President Taft was among
the distinguished men present. II was
then, after the movement had become
en- actually, that he started the fund
with his donation.
When ne made this donation he wore
the Masonic apron that had been worn
many times BY Washington. and he
held in his hand the trowcl with which
Washington had laid the corncrst one
or the National Capitol building In 1888
The George Washington Masonic Ma
tional Memorial Association intends
that the temple that il is to be built shall
cost N million dollars. 1t is To be
erected In the heart OF Alexandria on
ground that is the most historic of any
In the nation. old Christ Church Will
be Just across the street, and there the
pew in which Washington sat Is still
intact. The street that runs past il
was surveyed by him when he piled
his earliest profession. From carlies I
manhood 10 venerable age. George
Washington mingled in social and polit-
ical intercourse with the people OF
Alexandria. He represented chem III
the House of Burges<es. was menu
Der of their town council was vestry-
man at old Christ Church. he survey
ed their streets and endowed their
schools.
The present MASONIC Lodge is in the
ancient market and, city nall This
property was granted 10 the city In
colonial times and its purposes speci-
fled The lodge owns no ground bu,
possesses Il building that begins above
the market house. Across tho street
Is an ancient structure that sheltered
Washington on many a historic occa
sion. Here he slept the night before
he started. in 1853. on his expedition
against the French and Indians OF tn
West
/ The birthplace OF ItIstury.
In this Did hosiery two years later
he received his commission in the Eng
lish army headed by Braddock and dcs
! tined tn come to Il tragic cni. Across
the street on the land now occupied
! by the city hall. he marshalled the col
onial troops that were TO make u part
OF that expedition. Under this rooi
ne first announced 10 LiGh, liols,
Harry Lee his espousal of the cause oi
the colonies. Here in 1893 he held his
! last review and east his last vote
/ The citizens OF this town were his pail
/ bearers. Alexandria Is half way be
tween Washington. where he laid down
the capital city. and Mount Vernon
where he lived most OF his days as {;
country gentlcmt> should. The staml
of this dominant man is upon all the
country roundabout 1t is his home.
/ Washington Ale Nandria Loogc No
j22 was founded In 1883. Genera
Washington was charter. member
J lie was the first Master Of the Lodge
He was reelected. serving altogether
some twenty months. Th' instrument
containing his name az Master an,
that o: Edmund Randolph. Governor
| OF Virginia, is still the badge OF au
| thority OF the lodge and hangs on IT.
walls 1t Is but one of n hundred in
! terestng relics IF the men that arc Il
the possession OF the lodge and per
manent abiding place for which is Il
be found In the Memorial.
| Probably the most priceless relic o.
the first President In possession D
this lodge Is painting Of him In nj:
old age. There Is cvrey evidence tina