Los Angeles herald., 1892-04-25

fornia what she is today. The princi.
Piles of friendship, loyalty and charity
are enlarged upon, with the endeavor to
instill into the members minds the
dutv thew owe to one another and to all
worthy mankind. The amount OF ini.
tiation fees and monthly dues OF mem.
bers varies in the different parlors. The
constitution of subordinate. parlors fixes
the minimum OF initiation fee at 80. In
many of the parlors it is as high as
$40 and 500. The monthly dues
and amount of sick benefits
are optional with each parlor., The
dues are generally 81 per month, and
the sick benefits from 81 to $40 per
week. Every member in good stand
ing, in case Of sickness or bodily injury,
not arising from any immoral or unlaw-
full act, is entitled to receive from the
funds of the parlor of which he is a
member such weekly benefits as their
bylaws provide. but in no case less than
$5 per week. In case of the death of a
member, there is allowed such sum as
the bylaws may provide for funeral ex-
penses, generally $75. The growth and
prosperity of the order has been re-
markable. 1t now numbers upwards OF
5000 members, distributed in l63 subor-
dinate parlors. During the year ending
April l, 1890, the receipts amounted to
$10O, 1926. 81; sick benefits were paid to
the amount of $21, ,568.42, relieving GAL
members; and there was cash on hand
to the amount of $78, ,022 81, an average
per member of $10.5l. Taking into con-
sideration that it is but the first genera
ton of native Californians,. there is
every reason to be proud of this success.
Inseparably linked with the destinles OF
the state, it will live to see California
attain the full fruition of her power and
greatness.
During the preparations incidental to
the celebration of the Fourth OF July,
1875, there appeared in the advertising
columns of the daily press, on the
morning of June oath, an invitation to
native sons of San Francisco, over IA
years of age, to meet in the police court.
room, Tuesday night, June 18th, and
organize for the purpose OF taking part
in the celebration OF the national holi.
dav. This public notice was the means
of bringing together the young men who
conceived and carried into execution
the formation of the order of the Native
Sons of the Golden West. In accord
ance with the call, small but enthusi-
as tic body met and organized for the
purpose of taking part in the parade,
and further decided to perpetuate the
organization under the name of the Ma
tive Sons of the Golden State. A num-
ber of those present, who were under 16
wears of age, were debarred by vote from
participating. OF this gathering, there
were noted present: Myles F. O'Don-
nell, chairman; Louis Patrick, secre-
tary; James McDermott, Abraham
Meyer, John Wilson, Walter Loveland,
Chas. Olds, F. G. w. Fem, Louis Har-
ris, Raphael Pragen, Robert Aitken,
James Bayliss, E. F. McKenna, E..
Bloch, Broderick Temple, Geo. Wins
low, John A. Steinbach. A vote of
thanks was rendered to General
Winn and Mr.. Donovan. The meet
ing then adjourned to meet again
in the twelfth district court room
on July l, 1875. The minutes of the
| first meeting of the society were, at a
meeting held October Z, 1875, corrected
by the executive committee to read as
| follows: "The fret meeting was held
in the police courtroom, and was called
to order by General A. NJ. Winn, who
briefly stated the objects and purposes
of the meeting. He then offered the
following resolution, which was unani-
mously adopted: Resolved, That the
natives of the Golden West will form an
association to be known by that name
and to be perpetuated on the Pacific
coast, and that we now appoint COM
mittee to prepare constitution and by
laws for such an institution; and, when
ready to report, they shall call public
meeting of the native sons over II years
of age to consider and act on them.' "
1t was further carried to cross off four of
the names, it appearing that they had
neither attended nor taken part in the
proceedings of the first night, bat had
| Joined at a subsequent meeting held
| July 1, 1875. The names stricken OFT
have been omitted in the preceding list.
| AS O matter of fact, for the first two or
three meetings there was commission OF
| ideas and purposes, due in the main to
| the youth and inexperience OF those
participating. At this date there were
| but 295 persons OF California birth en-
rolled upon the great register of voters
for the city and county OF San Francisco.
1t is not, therefore, matter OF sur
prise thatH the participants We're few
and inexperienced. A number were
present whose names do not appear on
the records. It has always been mat.
ter of uncertainty as to who were pres
ent at the first meeting; but, as it was
decided to allow none under 16 years OF
age to take part in the proceedings,
and as the records show that most ol
those present and in the parade were
under l6 years of age, it will readily
be understood that amongst them were
a number who subsequently joined the
order and are qualified to speak with 9
knowledge of this first meeting. The
meetings held July 1st, I'd and 4th were
important only in showing the spirit
and patriotism of the attendants, and
the businesslike manner in which tht
details of the coming celebration were
managed. Mr.. Henry R. Reed Offered
the use of large silk American flag, tt
be carried by the Native Sons in tht
procession and amongst the insigni'
of disbanded club in room in An
thony's hall was found stuffed bear, {
cub about three feet long, much dilapi
dated, but still BEAR. This historic
emblem was proudly paraded, decked il
red, white and blue ribbons, and daEke'
by the American and bear flags.
Upon the occasion of this meeting
the lst of July, 1875. General Winn said
"Mr. President and Members: Thi
organization of young men, under tn
name of the Native Sons of the Colder
State, is to become the future pioneer
of California. Such men as James Lie
and others are fast passing away; an
the rising generation will surely f