Evening star., 1935-02-17
MONUMENT DEDICATED so YEARS AGO

Federal courts the diplomatic corps, the Gov
ernors of States. accompanied by their respec-
tive staffs; the Senate, the House Of Repre-
sentatives, officers OF the Army and Navy and
the Society OF Cincinnati.
The Masonic fraternity was largely repre-
sented as were the local temperance lodges,
the stonecutters who cut the stone for the
shaft and the German associations, including
the German Veterans Of Washington the Ger
mania Maennerchor and the German Demo-
cratic Association: also the Brotherhood of
Carpenters Presidents Mounted Guard, WASH
ington Club, Georgetown Club and the Fire
Department. headed by Chief Engineer Martin
Cronin, and of course there was plenty of
music, including the Marine Band under the
direction Of John Philip Sousa. During the
march minute guns were fired at Fort Myer
and in the city.
At the Capitol the proceedings took place in
the hall of the House Of Representatives, in
the presence of the President and his cabinet,
the assembled Congress. judges Of the Supreme
Court of the United States, Governors of States,
foreign Ambassadors and Ministers, officers OF
the Army. Navy and Marine Corps, Govern
ment officials and other distinguished persons.
The President Of the Senate, George F. Ed
munds, presided, occupying the Speakers chair.
the Speaker, John G. Carlisle occupying
seat Immediately on his left.
An grafton, prepared by Robert d. Winthrop,
who delivered the principal address at the
laying Of the corner stone July 4, l848 and who
had intended rendering like service upon this
occasion. but who felt too feeble to be present,
was read by Representative John D. Long. after
which John w. Daniel of Virginia delivered
an eloquent oration and Rev. John A. Lindsay
pronounced the benediction
February 81, 1885, clear and cold, with
a light fall OF snow covering the earth. AT
night, though it was intensely cold thousands
of people assembled in the open spaces north
OF the Monument to witness the display OF
fireworks. Just how cold it was upon this occa-
sion, the writer does not know. However, an
account before him says that the ice blockade
in Chesapeake Bay more formidable on
Saturday and Sunday February 81 and 22)
than had been known for many years. Up to
February 20 the water was frozen as far down
Sharps Island and by Saturday night ice
had formed far down as Point Lookout 81
miles from Baltimore. The Chesapeake Bay
was completely closed from shore to shore for
more than one-half its length with ice from
2 to inches thick, and the freeze was con-
sidered remarkable by those who had navi-
gated the waters for a long term of years.
However the weather did not deter those who
wanted to see the splendid fireworks and people
assembled in the open spaces north OF the
Monument to witness the wonderful display.
which included number of set pieces Incl
dentally, this proved to be a good opportunity
to Judge the height to which a rocket would
ascend and 1t is said that some went as much
as 800 feet or more above the apex Of the shaft.
The events of the day were brought to a close
with a banquet at the old Riggs House where
were assembled abCvt 800 Mesops.
\ lANY # us l.-...i tne Monument as 1t ap-
wi peared before work was resumed thereon,
August Z, 1880, after control over it had been
surrendered to the Federal Government by the
Washington National Monument Society. which
even up to the very last was making heroic
efforts privately to complete the shaft. and. In
fact had collected for this purpose quite sum
of money.
Too much credit cannot be given to this not
able organization for its part In carrying for
ward q work substantially pledged by Congress
in some form or other, early as l783 but
never entirely fulfilled. George Watterstons
first librarian of Congress, and a Washington-
ian, appears to have been the man with the
original idea, or at least the power behind the
throne He became the first secretary OF the
society which was the outcome Of meeting
held in the City Hall (now the Court House,.
September 26, 1888.
In October following constitution and by
laws were adopted and officers wer chosen. John
Marshall the great expounder of the Constitu-
ton then the Chief Justice, was chosen the
first president, though he was at that time ~
wears of age Judge William Cranch, local
learned jurist was selected as first vice preSl-
dent; John p Van Ness became second vice
president; w. w Seaton, third vice president.
Samuel H. Smith, treasurer, and Mr.. Watterston,
secretary Beside these officers, board OF l3
managers was chosen, to correspond in num-
Der with the original States.
1t Is said that the progress of the society,
at first was slow, and that up to 1886 only
about S28 900 had been collected. However by
l847 this amount had grown to $4,000, and
upon resolution it was decided by the society
to lay the corner stone Of the Monument on
Friday, February 90 1848, provided that
suitable site can be obtained in time. and a
committee was appointed to apply to Congress