Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1927-09-30

VQDy

THROUGH the corner stone of the
Montana state capitol was laid l06
L years after the cornerstone Of the
national capitol in Washington was
laid, the ritual at both events was vir-
tually the same. both were conducted
under the auspices of the Masonic order.
At Washington in 1913, George Washing
ton, first president of the United States,
who was a Mason, participated In the
ceremonies. At Helena in 1899, Joseph
X. Toole, first governor OF the state,
though not a Mason, gave one of the
principal addresses OF the occasion, and
was surrounded on the platform by other
participants. nearly all of whom were
either active or past grand officers OF the
grand lodge Of Masons in Montana.
Among officials Of the Masonic grand
lodge who conducted the ceremonies Of
the corner stone laying at Helena on the
hot. bright day in July. 1899. now living.
are Charles w. Pomeroy. the Rev. Job H.
Little, II. s. Hepner. Lew l.. Galloway.
M. H. Parker, Moses Morris and Edward
G. Day. Mr.. Pomeroy was most worthy
grand master Of the grand lodge. Today
he is a district Judge with chambers at
Kalispell. The Rev. Job H.. Little was
right worthy grand chaplain. To-day he
is a retired minister living at Cascade
H. 8. Hepner was right worthy grand
marshal. Today he is a practicing at
torney in Helena. Lew l.. Galloway was
worthy senior grand deacon. Today he
is chief justice OF the Montana supreme
court. M. H. Parker was worthy senior
grand steward. Today he is IN attor-
ney in Jefferson county. Moses Morris
n Edward c.. Day, who served in the
ceremonies as past grand masters, are
today prominent residents OF Helena.
Governor Robert B. Smith, who invited
the Masonic grand lodge to conduct the
ceremonies on behalf of the state capt.
toll commission. was himself a Mason.
Former United States enator Wilbur F..
Sanders, who gave the principal Grafton
OF the day. was a past grand master OF
the grand lodge.
Orators OF Great Ability
In politics. Governor Toole is a demo-
crat, while Senator Sanders was a re-
publican. The senator passed to his re-
ward several years ago. and a heroic size
statue has been erected in his memory
in the main corridor Of the state capitol.
but Governor Toole still lives, and is q
resident Of California, though he spends
the greater part Of each summer In Mon
tana. Only recently he visited his son,
Warren Toole. VIC Is an attorney in
Great Falls.
Both Governor Toole and Senator San
ders paid high tribute In their corner
stone addresses to the character OF the
people h had made the state OF Mon
tana Both men were orators of excep-
tional ability n were talking to q group
OF people. nearly all Of whom had wit
messed the TRANSPORTATION OF Montana
from q wilderness to q civilized state.
An outstanding point made In the adj
dress Of Governor Toole was the impro-
priety OF "Oro y plata" being used as the
superscription on the great seal OF the
state. He said:
II cannot refrain from saying that ]
never behold the sordid superscription
which defaces the great seal OF this state
without q sense OF shame and q feeling
Of indignation for SO base a sentiment
Orc y plata'-gold and silver. Is q
cheap advertisement to lure the guile
less immigrant, 1t is artistic and unique
1t is, however, too materialistic to in
spire a great thought or encourage a
great deed. 1t is too suggestive of the
mercenary precept OF Iago, to put money
In thy purse 1t Is too much calculated
to make the acquisition of MONEY the
overmastering passion Of life. 1t is al
variance with the exclamation OF Solo,
mon, who attained something OF a repu-
tation as a wise nan In his day and gen.
GRAFTON. How much better said he, tic
get wisdom than gold, INT to get un-
~derstanding, rather to be chosen thar
silver
"By these observations, I would not
have it inferred that wealth honestly
acquired and wisely expended Is not de-
sirable both by the state n the citizen
What I would inveigh against is the toe
prevalent disposition to make 1T the