Evening Star Newspaper, September 18, 1893, Page 9

THE EVENING STAR: WASHINGTON, D. C, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 18983—-TWELVE PAGES. MEN AND THEIR WORK Committees Who Have Been ‘in Charge of the Details. ALL HAVE LABORED HARD And the Result is Seen In Today’s Celebration. CHAIRMEN AND ASSISTANTS. More than two years ago the movement looking toward the celebration of the cen- tennial anniversary of the laying of the corner stone of that vast pile which so majestically and so t autifully crowns the one great hill of the city, the national Capi- tol, originated. For months the idea slept. Yet never once was it forgotten. And at length, when the nation’s capital, after months of careful preparation and untir- ing energy, had paid its tribute of grati- tude and honor to the courage and patriot: ism of those who had faced shot and shell, suffered hunger and disease, and patiently endured all else that came their way in the defense of their country, the movement for the proper observance of the centennial celebration of the true birth of America’s fairest city received new life. In that new life the movement flourished and grew, and today’s grand celebration will be its fitting culmination. ‘The First Step. On the 24 of September, 1591, at a meeting of the East Washington Citizens’ Association, a resolution introduced by Mr. g Commissicner Ross. M. I. Weller was adopted requesting the executive committee of the association to inquire and report in regard ‘0 celebrating, among other centennia! anniversaries occur- ring in the years 1892 and 1595, the centen- nial anniversary of the laying of the corner stone of the Capitol, September 18, 1893. ‘The executive committee of the association on the Sth of November, 1891, reported in favor of properly celebrating the great his- toric event. The association adopted the Feport and directed the committee to report @ plan for fitly observing the day. The matter was held under advisement until the 4th of last May, when the committee out- ined their plan, and the report was adopted by the association. Having adopted their pian, the association author and re- Quested the committee to call, or cause to be called, a meeting of citizens of the Dis- trict to consider and act upon the sugges- fion of the association that the centennial Properly celebrated. Waiting upon the Commissioners of the District, a written memorial was presented to them by the | committee. requesting them to call such a mass meeting of the citizens. Mass Meeting of Citizens. The Commissioners not only cheerfully agreed to issue the call, but also promised every assistance and encouragement in their power. By publication in the daily c. Press the call was issued, and in response @ large numbe- of representative citizens met at Willard Hall on the evening of Wea- nesday, June 7. Distric} Commissioner Jno. W. Ross was unanimously chosen chairman of the meeting and Mr. M. I. Weller secre- tary. Short addresses In advocacy of the Proposed celebration were made py Com- missioners Ross and Parker, Mr. A. R. Spofford, Ubrarian of Congress; Bishop Keane, President J. W. Robson of the East Washington Citizens’ Association, Mr. Si- mon Wolf and several other well-known eitizens. As a result of the meeting it was decided without a dissenting voice that the celebration should be carried out In the suc- cessful and thorough manner so character- istic of the people of the District in such matters, and Chairman Ross was author- ized to appoint a general committee of fifty citizens, he to be its chairman, to make all the necessary preparations. The General Committee. Press of public duties compelled Commis- sioner Ross to decline the chairmanship f the committee, but he remained a mem- E. B. Hay. ber of it. The committee, a few vacancies caused by resignations having been filled, is as follows: Lawrence Gardner, chairgaan; C. C. Glover, vice chairman; Edwin B.iay, secretary; M. I. Weller, corresponding sec- retary; S. W. Woodward, treasurer; J. W. Babson, H. L. Biscoe, H. V. Boynton, A. T. Britton, J. J. Darlington, Milis Dean, Har- ison Dingman. W. C. Dodge, George T. Dunlop, J. J. Edson, W. J. Frizzell, Wm. . O. C. Green, H. A. Griswold, idge. E. J. Hannan, Chris. Heu- Harrison Johnson, F. A. Lehman, Moore, Theo. V Fich, J. Thomas F. Miller, F. L. Noyes, M. M. Parker, Charles F. Powell Bamuel Ros Isadore Saks, ‘Thomas § W. Smith. A. F. Sperry. Henry W. J. Stephenson, James F. S Spear, Dr. J. M. ‘Toner, Seymour loch, Duncan S. Walker. B. H. . John W. Ross, merville, A. R. Spofford, Thomas herwood, ‘W. Whelpley, Beriah W Mamson, L. D. Wine, Marshal and 8. 5. Harmo: and Successful Work. tful if any similar committee Was ever so harmonious and successful in so WW. Wovdward. the work given to it as the genera. commit- tee appointed by Commissioner Ross to| voices, to render patriotic airs and other| for plan and superintend the work of celebrat- ing the Capitol centennial. Their work was begun in a spirit of enthusiasm and earnest- ness which marked everything dene by the committee in their effort to "nake the celebration the memorable success it de- served to be. No obstacle was too great to so that topay’s result of unlimited hard work patiently and energetically done. Chairman Gardiner, up- ‘on the announcement of the committee, lost no time in calling a meeting of his fellow committeemen and from that time to the present one or more meetings of the com- mittee have been held evrey week. The gen- low - M. I. Weller. eral committee, of course, has had entire supervision of the preparations incident to the celebration and was at all times re- sponsible for the success of the event. One of the first matters considered by it was the appointment of the various subcom. mittees necessary to assume charge of t many different matters appertaining to the proper celebration of so important an event. These committees were almost immediately appointed, and while {t was practically fin- possible to confine thelr membership to the members of the general committee, in al- most every instance the general committee was represented on the subcommittees by one or more members. These subcommit- tees, of course, reported to the general cam- mittee for approval of their plans aud pur- poses in every instance, no contract or ex- penditure being permitted without the ap- proval of the general committee. Committee om Scope. Appropriately enough, the first subcom- mittee to be appointed was the cemmittee on scope, and no less appropriately this x Jw. committee was composed exclusively of members of the general committee, as fol- lows: J. W. Babson, chairman; Dr. Joseph M. Toner, M. I. Weller, W. J. Stephenson, Mills Dean, F. L. Moore, Henry sherwood. It having been decided that the committee on scope should have charge of all matters pertaining to the celebration, such as de- termining its character and plan, the fact that the idea.of the celebration origmated | with the East Washington Citizens’ Asso- | claton was recognized in the appoiatment | of three members of that association on the committee, President J. W. Babson of the association, being made chairman. ‘The work of the committee will best be seen in the magnificent celebration of today. Committee on Ceremonies. Interesting and patriotic ceremonies at the Capitol on the afternoon of the cele- bration were early planned and recom- mended by the committee on scope, and a committee composed of the following prom- inent citizens was appointed: B. H. Warner, chairman; A. R. Spofford, vice chairman; ‘Charles C.’ Glover, Dr. Jo- seph M. Toner, J. W. Whelpley, J. J. Darl- ington, Edward Clark, Mills Dean. To this committee authority was given to prepare the program of ceremonies at the Capitol, the committee having full charge in the matter, subject, of course, to the ap- proval of the general committee. With men of such judgment and ability it need not be said that every recommendation of the committee promptly met the entire satis- faction and full approval of the general committee. Having outlined the program of the ceremonies, the committee early se- cured the consent of Mr. William Wirt Henry of Virginia, a lineal descendant of Patrick Henry, and an orator and scholar widely known, to deliver the oration. Then the committee set out to induce President Cleveland, the Vice President, Speaker Crisp, and other high officials of the govern ment to attend the celebration and actively participate In the ceremonies. The most excellent and tasteful program of the cere- monies already published in The Star, at tested the success of the committee in the matter, and the program is remarkable for excellence no less than for the active con- tribution to it of so many of the great men of the land. Evening Ceremontes. Iq was not intended that the afternoon exercises should be the only program to be enjoyed by the many thousands of citi- zens and strangers on celebration day, and it was deemed fitting and proper that an evening entertainment should be furnished. Therefore the following citizens were a) pointed a committee on evening entertain- ment Jules Guthridge. Jules Guthridge, chairman; A. T. Britton, vice chairman; James F. Scaggs, secretary; Job Barnard, A. M. Bliss, Robert Christie, Harrison Dingman, George T. Dunlop, Regi- nald Fendail, H. W. Garnett, O. C. Green, George Hamilton, James Lansburgh, W. A. McKenny, Thomas F. Miller, E. A. Mosely, R. Ross Perry, Richard Smith, S. W. Tulloch, Gen. Thomas M. Vincent, L. C. Williamson, Louis D. Wine. ‘This committee was charged with all mat- ters pertaining to the evening ceremonies except illumination of the Capitol and fire- works. A most enjoyable program of vocal and instrumental music has been prepared and will be rendered during the early even- ing at the Capitol. Committee on Music. Of course it was at the very outset de- termined that without music the celebra- tion would be a rather dull affair after all, so It was at once decided that there should be a committee on music composed of the following gentlemen: Willlam A. Gordon, chairman: Dr. Frank T. Howe, chairman sub-committee on chorus; Ralph L. Galt, chairman sub-committee on band; A. B. Coppes, W. A. Slack, James H. Forsyth, Joseph I. Weller, Fred A. Grant, James P. Willett, J. E. Jones, Leonard C. Wood, Wim. H. Manogue, S.'M. Yeatman, John A. Roeder, Lewis Turner. An early meeting of the committee was held, at which it was decided to recommend to the general committee the formation,un- der the direction of the music committee, of a mighty chorus of 1,00 adult-mixed appropriate selections during the afternoon evening ceremonies, in connection with William A. Gordon. the Marine Band. The general committee promptly approved the recommendations, and the members of the music committee at once enthusiastically set about to carry out the pl Chairman Gordon, finding that his business matters prevented him from attending to the project as closely as he had hoped, gave Dr. Frank T. Howe, vice chairman of the committee, full au- thority to act for him. Dr. Howe at once enlisted Professor N. Dushane Cloward in the service of the committee, and the fessor was appointed director in chief of the great chorus. So enthusiastic did the local singers become in the matter Dr. Frank T. Howe. that it soon became evident that the chorus would far exceed 1,000. Indeed, so rapidly did it grow that at length the committee ‘was compelled to restrict the number to 1,500. Under Dr. Howe's energetic work, and the careful training of fessor ‘Cloward, greatly assisted by those gentlemen who so Patiently and thoroughly drilled the various Sections, the chorus, as was most happily demonstrated at the public rehearsal last Wednesday evening, has attained a most gratifying success, and its selections, sung 80 gloriously in front of the Capitol this afternoon, is a memorable feature of the celebration of corner-stone day. * The Invitation Committee. ‘The programs for the afternoon and even- ing exercises having been intrusted to ap- propriate committees a committee on in- Gen. Duncan S. Walker. vitations which should, under the direc- tion of the general committee, prepare suitable invitations and issue the same to the distinuished guests to be present at the ceremonies was required, and that com- mittee was formed by the selection of the following: Gen. Duncan 8S. Walker, chatr- man; Gen. H. V. Boynron, vice chairman; Marshall W. Wines, secretary; Commis- stoner John W. Ross, Commissioner M. M. Parker, Commissioner Chas. F. Powell, Chief Justice M. W. Fuller, Senator Eppa Hunton, Representative Barnes Compton, Judge M. F. Morris, Prof. J. C. Welling, Frank Hatton, Theo. W. Noyes. Under the direction of this committee a very handsome form of Invitation, contain- ing the program of the afternoon cere- monies, was designed and orinted and {s- sued to the number wf more than: one thousand. The invitations were sent to the President, his cabinet, the Vice President, the Speaker of the House, the members of both bodies of Congress, the diplomatic corps, the District judiciary and many other distinguished men. Committee on Stands. For the accommodation of the guests of the occasion, the chorus, musicians and press, it became necessary to erect suita- ble stands on the east front of the Capi- tol. This matter was intrusted to a com- mittee on stands, of which Mr. Wm. J. Frizzell was made chairmin, his fellow- committeemen being Messrs.’ Harry Bar- ton, Owen Donnelly, Wm. Holmead, T. L. Holbrook, H. F. Hoisten and C. C. Meads. Great care was given by Chairman Frizzell and the committee to the matter and the result was the erection of stands of great stability and convenience. Committee on Parade. As the parade was quite a feature of the laying of the corner stone of the Cupitol one hundred years ago xo it wes determined Gen. Ellis Spear. that a parade should be une of the great features of the centenital celebration of that event. Therefore it became necessery that a committee composed of men of wide experience should be appoiated to have charge of this matter. Hence the follow- ing were selected as this most important committee: Gen. Ellis Spear, chairman; Charles W. Darr, vice chairman; Robert Ball, Capt. Harrison isarbour, Robert Boyd, Lieut. Col. Harry Coggin, ‘Capt. C._S. Domer, S. E. Faunce, (uniel Frazier, Geo. Gibson, Col. C. Heywood, U. 8. M. C.; Capt. Jos. O. Manson, Capt. John $. Miller, Capt. Allison Nailor, ‘John J. Peabody. ‘The wisdom ‘of their selection is most ap- parent now that the matter of a great and interesting parade of civic and military bodies has been secured. Committee on Mluminatio ‘The grandeur of the Capitol, it was de- termined, should be made as apparent by night as it has always been by day, and therefore the general committee decided that a subcommittee on filuminations should be appointed, in whose hands should be placed the illumination of the Capitol bullding and all matters pertaining to illu- mination and fireworks. This committee was named_as follows: Frei. A. Lehman, chairman; William F. Hart, vice chairman; A. W. Hart, secretary; ‘A. B. Claxton, chairman subcommittee on fireworks; Gus- tav Bissing, Albert Bright, Edw. Clark, Capt. Geo. McC. Derby, Capt. G. J. Fie- beger, Max Georgie, C. P. Glien, O. B. Hal- lam, William McAdoo, B. N. Norris, George L. Morton, A. 8. Pattison, A. R. Townsend. many reasons it was decided that a display of fireworks would hardly be prac- ticable, and hence the efforts of the com- Fred. A. Lehm: mittee were directed to the securing of such an illumination of the Capitol building and grounds as would throw the grand struct- ure into such a blaze of light as had never before been witnessed. This illumination Will, of course, occur Monday evening, and the picture resulting will be one of the en features of the centennial celebra- in. Two members of this committee—A. W. Hart, secretary, and M. B. Claxton, chair- man of the subcommittee on fireworks— have been of great assistance to the chair- paS) A. B. Claxton. man in the prosecution of his work. Both have been connected with the Washington Gaslight Company for many years, and have had great experience in matters con- nected with the illumination. Mr. Hart has had the active supervision of the work of arranging the gas jets, which will make the east front of the Capitol as light as day, id furnish the chorus and band the means of reading their music. On Street Decorations. The general committee was deeply tm- Pressed with the idea of so decorating the avenues and streets of the city as to still Harrison Dingm: further add to their beauty. It was pro- Posed that along the line of march the streets and buildings thereon should be finely decorated, and that the citizens might be no less impressed with the im- portance of such a feature of the celebra- tion a committee on street decoration was formed as follows: Harrison Dingman, chairman; Reuben F. Baker, Haarrison Barbour, Albert Carry, 8. Curriden, Wm. Dickson, Ed. F. Droop, J. H. Gordon, Wm. Hoeke, I. W. Hopkins, Harry R. How: ser, Robert Beall, Henry L. Bryan, W. A. Hutchins, George W. Joyce, Prof. Harry King, C. C. Lancaster, Frank P. Madigan, =e rd Minnix, F. S. Parks and George . Pyles. The committee decided to publicly re- quest the citizens of the city, especially those along the line of march, ‘to decorate their houses, and this request has been Published in the daily papers. That the citizens will do this is not doubted, and on Monday next it is believed that patriotic decorations will line the route of the pro- cession. The Finance Committee. To meet the incidental expenses of the celebration, and it early became apparent that these expenses would amount to no John Joy Edson. small sum, a committee on finance be- came necessary. As the chairman of that committee should be a man of wide and valuable experience in such matters was best demonstrated by the selection of Mr. John Joy Edson for that most important position. Mr. Edson accepted his appoint- ment with a full understanding of the. great duties devolving upon him. Yet, con- fronted with the disadvantages of a period of unusual financial uncertainty, he set about his work with all his weil known enthusiasm and energy. The appointment of his associates on the committee was left with him, and the result of the efforts of the committee has fully demonstrated the wisdom of their selection. Mr. Frank P. Reeside was made secre- tary of the committee, the remainder of t! committee being as follows: John T. Arms, Andrew Archer, Henry C. Burch, James L. Barbour, Charles J. Bell, H. H.’ Bergman, Charles C. Bradley, 8. Thomas Brown, Ho- ratio Browning, Brent L. Baldwin,” Job Barnard, F. H. Barbarin, J. Wesley ‘Bote- ler, Samuel Bieber, W. D. Baldwin, W. B. Baldwin, Harry Barton, Wm. E. Clark, Clarence Corson, Daniel’ B. Clark, Samuel Cross, J. W. Chappell, Dennis Connell, Al- bert Carry, Samuel W. Curriden, C,H. Davidge, Louis J. Davis, C. C. Duncajison, W. Clatence Duvall, Edward F. Droop, George W. Driver, John C. Eckloff, Mut- thew G. Emery, 8. G. Eberly, George E. Emmons, C. H.'Fickling, Wm. J. Frizzell, Prof. W. G. Fowler, A. P. Fardon, James E, Fitch, Dr. George W. Fisher, Charles B. Gross, Andrew Gleason, J. H. Gordon, Jules Guthridge, Wm. B. Gurley, A. M. Green, H. A. Griswold, Thomas ‘Gray, Walter Heiston, George C. Henning, John E. Her- rell, A.'H. F, Holsten, Geo. F. Harbin, P. "Hickling, Theo. L. Holbrook, R. 0. Holtzman, Samuel Ross, T. E. Roessle, W. W. Rapley, Frank T. ‘Rawlings, Thomas Somerville,’ Frederick C. Stevens, F. A. Stier, B. F. Snyder, John G. Slater, Dr. A. J. Schafhirt, A. L. Sturtevant, John W:. Shafer, Samuel S, Shedd, O. G. Staples, J. 8. Swormsted, E. J. Steilwagen, Thos. W. Smith, Isadore Saks, O. T. Thompson, C. W. Howard, Charles A. James, A. 8. John- son, J. Harrison Johnson, J.B. Johnson, | George A. Jordon, John G. Judd, Arthur L: | Keane, George H. Kennedy, George Killeen, J. J. Kleiner, A! M. Lothrop, T. A. Lam bert, Philo J. Lockwood, B.'F. Leighton, John B. Larner, George E. Lemon, F. A, Lehman, James Lansburgh, L. A.' Littie- field, John H. Magruder, Wm. H. Manogue, W. W. McCullough, A. M. McLachlen, Ino. W. Macarty, Frank B. Mohun, W. C. Mor- rison, Meyer Loeb, Frank P. Madigan, Clarence McClelland, Frank B. Noyes, Al- Mson Naylor, jr., Geo. M. Oyster, James F. Oyster, E. 8. Parker, E. P. Berry, Thomas C. Pearsall, J. T. Patty, Eugene Peters, John C. Parker, Seaton Perry, E. Franeis Riggs, 4. B. Ruff, John W. Thompson, Jos. D. Taylor, A. A. Thomas, Geo. W. Talbert, . Towers, jr. W. 8. Thompson, Jesse B. Wilson, Charles E. White, George H. B. ‘White, Charles P. Williams, B. H. Warner, Beriah Wi'kins, Louis D. Wine, R. A. ‘Walker, Samuel H. Walker, Frank P. Wel- ler, W. J. Whelpley, Edward 8. Wescott, John L. Weaver. The Reception Committeee. One ‘of the most important committees necessary to the success of the celebration ‘was @ committee on reception, whose duties Beriah Wilkins. it was decided would be the reception of the distinguished guests present at the celebra- tion and the extension of the proper courte- sies to them. The personnel of the commit- tee was composed of representative men of standing, tact and judgment. Such a com- mittee {t was decided should be headed by Mr. Berlah Wilkins, one of the proprietors of the Washington Post, a man of great ex- perience in such matters and one univer- sally respected. Mr. Wilkins’ associates were selected as follows: Ex-Mayor James |- G. Berret, ex-Mayor M.G. Emery, ex-Mayor Sayles G. Bowen, ex-Gov. A. H.' Shepherd, ex-Com. John H. Ketcham, ex-Com. Thos B. Bryan, ex-Com. J. Dent, ex-Com. Thos. P. Morgan, ex-Com. Jos. . West, ex-Com. J. B. Edmonds, ex-Com. Wm. B. Webb, ex- Com. 8. E. Wheatley, ex-Com. J, W. Doug: lass, ex-Com. L. G.’ Hine, ex-Com. G. J. Lydecker, ex-Com. Wm. Ludlow, ex-Com. ¢. W. Raymond, ex-Com. H. M. Robért, ex- Com. Wm. T. Rossell, Gen. Nicholas Agder- son, Mahion B. Ashford, John A. Baker, ‘Ohas. B. Bailey, C. J. Beli, Gen. Cyrus Bus: sey, Gen. Wm. Birney, Chapin Brown, Jas. L. Barbour, L. J. Bates, M. W. Beveridge, N. W. Burchell, John L. Carroli, John Cas- sells, Geo. W. Cochran, . Cranford, H. H, Carter, Wm. 8. Crosby, Eugene Carust, Walter D. Davidge, Henry E. Davis, Wash. Danenhower, John T. Devine, J. Maury Dove, Chas. C. Duncanson, J. C. Ergood, Jas. 8. Edmonds, W. 5. Edmonston, Albert F. Fox, Capt. G. J. Fiebeger, Wm. B. Gur- ley, John T. Given, Dr. Edw. M. Gallaudet, G. Clay Gooodloe, Dr. W. W. Godding, Geay C. Gorham, H. ‘Wise Garnett, Col.” John Hay, Col. Chas. Heywood, Frank Hume, Wm. C. Hill, Maj. W. P. Huxford, W. 8. Hoge, Robert O. Holtzman, Curtis J. Hill- yer, Gardiner G. Hubbard, Stilson Hutchins, Gen. 8. 8. Henkie, Jas. Kerr, Geo.E. Lemon, L. Z. Leiter, T. A. Lambert, Daniel Lough- ran, A. A. Lipscomb, Dr. Thos. F. Mallan, Samuel Maddox, W. Cranch Mcintire, D. 1. Murphy, D. P. McKeever, Dr. Wm. V. Marmion, Mm. F. Mattingly, C. M. Mat- thews, A. P. Morse, M. Marian, F. B. Mc- Guire, John R. McLean, Clarence F. Nor- ment, N. G. Ordway, Geo. M. Oyster, An- thony Pollock, Bushrod Robinson, Theo. Roessle, Geo. R. Repetti, E. Francis Riggs, F. A. Richardson, Wm. H. Selden, O. G. Staples, E. J. Stellwagen, H. W. Sohon, John A. Swope, Jas. W. Somerville, Henry T. Thurber, 8.'T. Thomas, A. A. Thomas, H. O. Towles, Enoch Totten, H. T. Taggart, Col. J, M. Wilson, A. S. Worthington, Levi Woodbury, Thos. E. Waggaman, H. A. Wil- lard, C. C. Willard, Wash. B. Willams, Chas, E. White, Simon Wolf. The Printing Committee. Of course a great amount of printing became necessary in connection with the Preparation of the celebration, and a com- A. F. Sperry. mittee of men well versed in matters of publication and printing was appointed, as follows: A. F. Sperry, chairman; Arthur St. C. Denver, George H. Harries, David Moore, William H. Rapley. In the hands of this committee was placed the work of preparing and having printed all of the great mass of printed matter necessary. ‘The most important work of the committee, however, was the preparation and publica- tion of a most interesting pamphlet, con- taining a history of the Capitol building from the time its erection was begun to the present day. This publication evidences eat care and much thought in its prep- Kotion, and as a result of such care and thought it has been eagerly sought for and will be retained as a most valuable con- tribution of histerical literature. On Railroad Rates. That the many thousands of visitors who would visit the city on the occasion of the T. W. Smith. celebration could make the trip with as Uttle expense as possible, a committee on railroad rates was appointed, consisting of Thomas W. Smith, chairman; E. W. Anderson, H. L. Biscoe, Samuel Ross and W. J. Stevenson. After much correspond- ence with various railroad companies the committee secured greatly reduced rates from all points within one thousand miles of the city, and to the work of this com- mittee is due the presence of so very many strangers in the city toda; ‘The Committee on Badgen. Of course, those participating in the cele- bration naturally desired to retain a souve- nir of the occasion. To Messrs. Thos. Som- Thos. W. Somerville. erville, chairman; George W. Casilear, H. H. Twombly, Sid H. Nealy, D. I. Mur- D. | phy, Geo. Gibson ang Joseph Waltmeyer, @ committee on badges, was intrusted the design and preparation of such a sou- venir badge. Mr. Geo.W. Castlear prepared | the design and his work resulted in a de sign prized as well for its beauty as for its value as @ souvenir of today’s event. Committee on Order, On this occasion, no less than on other similar ones, a committee became neces- sary who should co-operate with the Dis- trict authorities in securing the necessary aid for enforcing order and clearing the streets and avenues for the formation and movement of the procession, and to do all other things necessary for the protection and comfort of the people, both during the afternoon ceremonies and at the evening entertainment. The following compose this committee: Henry L. Biscce, chairman; W. L. Cash, W. B. Easton, 4 Geddes, Jona Keyworth a” We elles J. Fred Kelly, Noble D. Larner, M. A. Mee oa. Sage Ss ae Harris, Sylvester, L. P. Wright. The Press Committee. The centennial celebration of the laying of the corner stone of the Capitol deeply interested the press of the country. Being Theodore W. Noyes. So interested the attendance of a great number of representative newspaper men at the celebration followed, as a matter of course. To properly care for and ac- commodate such visitors, as well as to pro- vide for those Fesident here, a press com- mittee became a necessary matter, and the following well-known newspaper men were appointed as such committee: W. Noyes, chairman; P. V. De Graw, vice chairman; Henry L. West, secretary; Geo. W. Abell, Felix Agnus, Thomes G. Alvord, Alex. D. Anderson, Addison B. Atkins, Edward W. Barrett, David 8. Barry, C. C. Bowsfield, John Boyle, Hobart Brooks, Logan Carlisle, Chas C. Carlton, John M. Carson, 8. H. Kauffmann, Horace Ken- ney, R. M. Larner, Francis E. Leupp, A. Maurice Lowe, R. Bowman Matthews, John P. Miller, O'Brien Moore, P. Morgan, Frank’ J. O'Netle, John H. Roche, Maurice Spiain, Cluskey Cromwell, Wm. L. Crounse, Marshall Cushing, R. H. Darby, E. G. Dunnell, W. H. Dennis, J. Hadley Doyle, Fergus Ferris, Harry Godwin, Geo. H. Harries, Frank H. Hosford, Thomas B. Kalbfus, Rudolph Kauffmann, John G. Slater, Harold Snowden, Orlando O. Stealey, Alfred J. Stofer, Louis Schade, R. H. Syl- vester, John Tracey, Clifford Warden, Wal- ter Wellman, E.' B. Wight and'R. J. Wynne. Capitol Decorations. The general committee, believing that the Capitol should be handsomely decorated as well as brilliantly illuminated, decided to became the standard of the language. eagerly read by the people, and they endeavored to shape their lives by its pure precepts. A great Puritan movement began, and had gathered immense volume, when the far-seeing Raleigh, the most accom- plished man of His day, infused into the na. tion his own enthusiasm for the scheme of planting an English nation in the part of North America not occupied by the Span- It was a century and a half after their first planting before the colonies were suf- ficiently developed in population, in wealth and in free institutions to assume for thom- At theit planting “they ‘brought with it wil them the rights and privileges of English- men secured by their charters. Separated from the mother country by a wide ocean, only to be crossed by tedious and danger- ous voyages, local self-government sprang up and entered upon a vigorous growth. County or township government was copied, with improvements, from county govern- ment in England. Assemblies, elected upon a broad basis of suffrage, were the faithful representatives of the people and guardians of their rights, while the governors and councils, im imitation of king and lords, were united with the assemblies in the en- actment of laws. A supervisory control was retained by the English government, but in practice was seldom exercised. And thus the English colonies were left, in their isolated condition, to their natura! devclop- mertt, directed by the race characteristics of the people and their new surroundings. ‘These conduced to the formation of a noble manhood. The people were in the main agricultural, and lived on their farms. ‘The task of subduing the earth and defending their homes against a treacherous ani sav- age foe stimulated their courage and seif- reliance, while they learned the lesson of individual freedom. The Bible taught them that every man was ible for his con- 5S. 8. Yoder. organize a committee on Capitol deoora- tions. Ex-Sergeant-at-arms of the House S. 8. Yoder was placed at the head of this committee, his associates being Cha: Harris, C. H. Fickling, R. B. Buckle; F. Guy, John R. Carmody, James J. H.C. Wilson, James D. Mabec, George . Talbert, J. J. 8. Hassler, George W. Moss, W. H. Rupp, E. J. Hannan, Shomas N. Conrad and Tracy L. Jeffords. An elaborate plan of decorations was de- vised by the committee, and with flags ob- tained from the War and Navy Depart- ments the immense building has been decor- ated as it never was before, adding greatly to the majestic beauty of the grand struct- ure. Committee. A very necessary committee in connection with the celebration and the expenditure of money necessary in its observance was an auditing committee, and as was most appzopriate and necessary three of the most prominent business men in the District were appointed as that committee, they be- ing Mr. Isadore Saks, Mr. Geo. C. Henning and Mr. Clem. W. Howard. Committee on Legislation. After it became known that there would be a session of Congress previous to the celebration a committee on legislation, consisting of Mr. Lawzence Gardner, chair- man; Dr. Joseph N. Toner and Gen. Dun- can S. Walker was appointed. The neces- sary legislation in connection with the ccle- bration was obtained through the efforts of this committee. VOICE OF HISTORY. Continued from Seventh Page. dent that God had something better in re- serve for America than the Latin raees of Europe, with their imperialism in church and state. Separated from the continent, and devel- oping along their own lines, yet absorbi what was best in Europe, the English had now become @ great nation, under a noble constitution, in which local self-govern- ment was happily blended with national authority, and personal liberty was made secure. ‘The customs of their ancestors had crystalized into common law claimed to be the perfection of reason. The statute law had kept pace with the nation’s growth, and that which was most valuable in the Roman civil law had been incorporated into their system. The Rights of the Citizens. ‘The great charter, granted by King John, the 15th of June, 1215, and frequently after- ward reaffirmed had limited the power of the king, and defined and guarded the rights of the citizen. The principle of representa- tion of the people, peculiar to the Germans, had been developed, by which political pow- er’could be exercised over large areas with- out loss of vitality or danger of tyranny. ‘The supreme power was exercised by parlia- ment, in which the chosen representatives of the people constituted the house of com- mons, the lords spiritual and temporal sat in the house of lords, and the consent of the two houses, with that of the kimg, was nec- essary for ‘the enactment of laws. Courts, presided over by learned judges, construed the law and administered justice, Every citizen was entitled to the shield of the law, as a protection to his person and Mis prop- erty, and he enjoyed all the freedom that ‘was compatible with the necessary powers of government. In comparing the English system of government with that of other nations, Montesquicu, the great Frenchman, was constrained to say, “that the English 1s the only nation in the world where polit- ical and civil Uberty is the direct end of its constitution." duct to his Maker. necessitate? in- dividual freedom of action, and so a Divine sanction was given to the free institutions which they had inherited from their keathen ancesters. The great charter, wrested from-the weak and treacherous John, had been made im- Pregnable by the statute of Edward I, which confirmed to parliament the exclu- sive right of taxation. These two formed the sole basis of the English constitution. The statute was a bulwark of defense for the charter, for with the power of taxation im the possession of the representatives of the the castle of their liberties was imp ble. ‘The colonists claimed the exclusive right of taxing themselves, through their asseim- biles, as they were not represented in par- lament; and in no part of the kingdom wes this rigkt more highly valued or more close- ly guarded. After the colonies had become firmly root- ed their growth was rapid, and their de- velopment in material wealth was truly wonderful. By the middle of the eighteenth century they numbered one-fourth uf the population of the mother country, and had rich and prosperous, contribucing largely to the wealth of Great Britain by their commerce. They had aiso advanced in their ideas of free government far be- yond what was entertained in England, and weré not behind her in the educatioa and intelligence of the people. There was a tol- erance in religion which was not known in the mother country or in Europe, and which was one of the stromgest induce- ments of the emigration which crowded the ships leaving the ports of the old world. It was now that pasiiament, under the dictation of a weak but stubborn king, and in contravention of the £nglish constitu- tion, determihed to tax the colonies with- out ‘the consent of their assemblies. They respectfully rentonstrated, then yigorously rotested, and finally took up arms in de- fense of the great bulwark of their liberties. God gave them the victory, and the de- pendent colonies became independent states. In framing their state governments they had the advantage not only of their own experience, but of the experience of the world, and most wisely did they use it. No great revolution was ever led by abler men or by purer patriots. Virginia was the trst colony to assume independence, and her tn- comparable statesmen, following English precedent, framed a bill of rights seiting forth the fundamental principles of her new government. This remarkable paper, the greatest of its kind ever penned, marked the growth of free institutions in America. It was copied more or less closely by the other states, and became the foundation of were oaaiect & te will hf the king L else guard purit; indepen: of the Judiciary, which are of such vital Ime ina impartial jury, and provided thet shall not be forced to give | Kerous to the Mberties of the y withdrawing large bodies the fields of industry, and remain in those fields for support, they retard the prosperity of the state. The tenth, eleventh, twelfth, fout fifteenth and sixteenth sections were Valuable additions to the Engtish bill rights. ‘Chey prohibited general warrants arrest, declared that jury trial should held sacred fn civil controversies; secured the freedom of the press as one of the greatest bulwarks of liberty; declared the Fight of the people to uniform that free government can only be “by a firm adberence to justice, moderation, temperance, frugality and virtue, and frequent recurrence to fundamental ciples;” and that “religion, or the duty we owe to our Creator, and the manner of @is- charging it, can be directed only by j ins z is i g ie Hf : E : tl i i i 4 ad power by the people ‘thus curing permanency to their ormn of government jut soon another step was taken in the development of our instifu- tions. ‘The war of the revolution the colonies to unite in the Sefenee » ‘They had a out any articles of confederat the cloge of the war, i i i i 5 i American government. Of it Mr. Bancroft says: “The Virginia bill of rights formed the groundwork of American institutions. It annouhced fundamental principles for all peoples for all time. It was the voice of reason going forth to speak a new political world into being.” The Virginia Bill of Rights. Magna Charta and the bill of rights of 1688 had been drawn by great statesmen, and had been aecepted as the best presen- tation of the rights of freedmen ever penned. But the Virginia bill of rights, drafted by George Mason, a Virginia farmer, while embodying all’ that was of permanent value im these two, far excelled them in the fuliness and clearness with whith it states the rights @f freemen and the fundamental principles of @ free stave. Let us glance at its provisions, upon which has been built the the fabrit of American government. The first four sections read as follow: 1. “That all men are by natute equally free and independent, and have eertain in- herent rights, of which, when they enter into a state of society, they cannot, by any compact, deprive or divest their posterit; namely, the enjoyment of life and libe with the means of acquiring and possessing property and pursuing and obtaining hap- Piness and safety. 2. “That all power is vested in amd con- sequently derived frem the people; that magistrates are their trustets and servants, and at all times amenable te them. 3. “That government is, or ought to be, instituted for the common benefit, protec- tion and security of the people, nation or community; of all the various modes and forms of government that is best which is capable of producing the greatest de- gree of happiness and safety, and is most effectually secured against danger of jnal- administration; and that when any govern- ment shall be found inadequate or con- trary to these purposes, a majority of the community hath an indubltable, inalienable and indefeasible right to reform, alter or abolish it, in such manner as’ shall be judged most conducive to the public weal 4. “That no man, or set of men, are en- titled to exclusive or separate e or privileges from the commun! consideration of public services, being descendible, neither ought -the office of magistrate, legislator or judge to be he- reditary.” These sections set forth In m. ate language the fundament free republic, and having jally reproduced a few" weeks afterwar¢ in the Declaration of Independence of the Continental Congress they became the ut terance of the continent. They annihilate at one blow royalty, aristocracy, and priv- fleged elass, and boldly proclaim the equali- ty of men before the law, their natural right to freedom, and the sovereignty of the people. ‘The fifth section declares that the legis- lative and executive powers shell by arate and distinct from the judicial shou'd be confined to fixed periods, e- canctes to be filled by frequent, certain and regular elections. This wos a great advance upon the Engilsh constitution, under which the legislative dgpartment exercised judicial t appropri- parliamentary elections adopted were but a ereign states. The to be exercised each state del vote. The bod: states, and could been well said: for money, but give it; it Hi i 43fi i i | q & i 8 é i | Fz i i i 4 i 5 i i if i i 4 i i f i | i FL “ff F Fy if fi Ky ri 2 & H if ali i mente Seperate ested with a double citizenship, @ conflict in his allegiance. the nation and the states, each its functions, and so firmly fixed jn lotted sphere that they would never The able men who solved this problem statesmen of the highest order as patriots of the greatest purity. thought that they understood clearly work, but they bullded better than they knew. The form of government that constructed hes excited the admiration of the world. It has stood every test in peace and in war, and under it a great and ever- fetal a { jolces more end more, as the years ruil around, in the incalulable blessings it se- cures. In the structure of the federal ment the same principles were adopted Which lay at the foundation of the state governments. The representing the states equally, the House of Representatives the people proportion- ally. The judiciary was made an independ- ent, co-ordinate, branch of the government, vested with power to pass upon the consti- tutionality of the laws, state and feverai, and to declare null and void sech as were not in accordance with the Constitution. Thus the national and state gbvernmen's were to be kept in their a le epheres. The executive was charged with the execu- tion of the laws, and made responsible for his conduct. The treaty making power wae vested in him, only to be exercised with the consent of the Senate. The powers of the government were enumerated and were ample for the great objects of ite creation, which were stated to be, “to form a more perfect union, to establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the com- mon defense, promote the generel welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to our- selves and to our posterity.” It has been well said by an able writer on our govern= ment that “the framers of this govern- ment set before themselves four objects essential to its excellence, namely: “Its vigor and efficiency. The independ- ence of its departments (gs being to the permanency of its form). Its pendence on the people. The security der it of the freedom of the individual. “The first of these objects they tbe creating a strong executtve; the s ow separating the legislative, ‘executive, and judicial powers from one another, an¢ by the contrivance of various checks amd bal- ances; the thirt, by making all authorities elective, and elections frequent; the fourth, both by the checks 4 balances aforesaid, 80 arranged as to F rtrain any one depari- ment from tranny, and by placing | rights of the citizen under the protection | the written Constitution. Guarding Their Liberties. So jealous were the people of their perso= nal liberty, and so determined to have theip rights. secured, that, without delay, t engrafted upon the Constitution ten amen mexts, eight of them containing a bill of rights based upon the Virginia bill, and twe of them more clearly defining the boundary between the federal and state governments, At the close of the civil war another step forward was taken in the amendment: which abolished slavery and secured equi privileges immunities to all citizens throughout the Union. Thus our free instf= tutions have developed until," from the Lakes to the Gulf, an@ from ‘the Atlant e @ nation of sixty-five mill ions of freemen rejoice i the Nberty which tutional republican government has them. The ancients worshiped states, we only bow to law as the guaréla! of our institutic nd. in the language Choate, we ean « the Constitution.” Our forefathers trusted the permanency ¢ it they founded to the nce of the Vire p and intelli divine attributes given man when he was madé in the image of God! As the two cherubim, with oute wered and guarded the ch was deposited the ark o may these guard Constitution, in whi ited the priceless jewel of Mberty, a8 is transnaitted from generation to gem lend. And. filet with ts Capitol, and by wise continued honor to sheir fn contributing to the happiness is Ereat people. Mustrious founders! : re,