Norwich bulletin., 1914-09-26
Masonic Building For New London
Union Lodge to Build Site of Former Organ Factory Operated By Preston Hamilton Moving Buildings Through Streets-Contest Over Democratic Nomination For Sheriff.

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 Union Lodge of Free Masoas, the pioneer lodge of New London, is to | have a new home. to be erected in Union street upon the site of the pres ent Masonic hall. two-story wooden building, which was formerly the pi- ano factory, or rather organ factory of I the late Preston Hamilton, colored servant of the late Asa Otis, who left millions to. foreign mission, but not l a cent for home work or the ad- vancement of New London or it's in l terests. Mr. Otis lived in the house | that stood on the corner of Union and back to Cross street and included the site of the present Masonic hall. AL | though Preston Hamilton was 8 form l CT slave he was treated as brother l by MT. Otis and dressed even better l'than did his employer, for Asa Otis used to be seen on the streets daily wearing the. overalls of the laboring man, although he never labored. Hamilton used to dress neatly and was fully as popular with the people as was Mr. Otis
 l Hamilton used to spend his spare time in the piano factory of TheophI-' | Jus M. Allyn, in the.Allyn hall build ing in Washington street, and was al- lowed to use MT. Allyn's tools and as- | sist in the work. He became quite
 
 He finally conceived the idea that he could build a. pipe organ, such as are used in churches. He erected the building, now Masonic hall, and spent the balance of his days in building that organ. What became of it the de- tponent knoweth not, but 1t was never installed in an organ loft in any local crurch. The building was enlarged by the, MasonS and entirely renovated and rebuilt for their occupancy.
 
 1t was supposed that the old building
 having served it's double purpose would
 be razed. as it is much too large to I be removed through the public streets to a new location without seriously
 interfering with public traffic and Interference with the wires of the public service corporations, to say nothing of the mutilation of shade Il trees on the route of Its passage. It would seem that the moving of houses through public streets in progressive New London was among the things | that used to and were to be no more. Of course, the court of common coun- Gil may have the power to grant the privilege of removing buildings under ) prescribed conditions, but that pow CT should be exercised with due con- sideration of the attendant damages.
 It has been announced that the Jo- seph A. Dolan and company has pur-
 
 remove 1t to a vacant lot in Broad
 street and that means well out beyond Williams park, a long distance from its present position. a work that can : not be completed without serious public inconvenience, and damage to public. semi public and private pro- ? perty.
 5 It has been g general understanding 2 sort of unwritten law, that there v was to be no more moving of build !, tngs through the main streets of New ! London. and perhaps the present cour ? of common council will decline tc ? grant the privilege for removal, Ii g such privilege is asked. but from pres Q ent indications the work is to be at. d tempted without official sanction O. r the council. The preparatory work fo r the removal of the building has beer Il commenced and without the off1cia d | knowledge of the city fathers, ant e 1t may be the intention to move thu s buildings regardless of the usual re Q quirements Joseph A. Dolan was tn,
 contractor for the new city hall an,
 his influence may excuse him iron ]. formalities, or, perhaps the "and com e pany' may be the power behind tn IS throne. Still there are some citizen n in New London who may insist tha a the building be not moved beyond it h foundation, until after full sanction l. fully guaranteed, is given, that n, l inconvenience 1t result from moving the buildin, y through public streets of the city. Il
 places. less pretentious than Nev London the moving of buildings in tn
 public streets is strictly prohibited.
 There is no doubt about the renom
 nation by the republicans of Sherif
 sidney A. grown, but there is doub
 as to who will be his opponent on tn
 democratic side. The candidate iron
 .nn nr1 hnfr
 vention will be Alderman Fred ,
 West the weli-known horseman an, ! local dveryman, and who is known t, every resident of the county, as tn | visited in connection with his bus . mess. He has driven over every high way and byway in the county and in said that the men are few an( Tar Tar between who have not a speak . hofseman. He claims that his know . iedge or the county and the resident,
 taeTsof IS an essential qualification
 Tor the office of sheriff. He declares
 that he has had successful experfenc.
 In tracing horse thieves in his line n
 business and believes he would he ,
 second Sheriff Hawkins fin that mar, . tlcular. He admits that he is nev
 d to the game of politics, that is tn,
 that might be detrimental to his eIec
 Ilon. In case he is nominated RII Fred is of the kind that is wi1Iin. to learn. and believes he would provs an apt scholar. Another New London candidate fo the neniination is County Conn,is, sIorer Albert H. Lanphere, popuiar;, Mn, Rnown 1,ai as the Mayor of Waterford.'
 every point of the game and who een'
 erally knows how. to win when hi,
 own interests are at stake. He i,
 the kind of politician who. if he can, S, other way, and he usually gets then
 -He-i is-- not politician of the pom
 pous, oYeThearing tyne. as is a dis