The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-24
the great Columbian Museum in Jackson

the great Columbian Museum in Jackson
Park.
with the funds that we had in hand we
started in a modest way to do likewise.
While the amount of money was small
we were met with such generous treat
ment that we have been able to secure
double the quantity OF exhibits that
under ordinary circumstances we would
have been able to procure at the same ex-
pense. We were able to secure the mag
nlticent Dore vase, the greatest piece of
bronze casting known, very cheaply
from the Partisan owners. The drinking
fountain called the cider-press, which
you can see from where you stand, was
sold by the artist who produced it at
half the price he originally named, as he
appreciated the fact that when perma-
nently located in the park the fountain
would bea public benefit And so it was
with all the exhibits on these grounds.
Whatever we desired for the museum we
had simply to mention it, to be met with
the most generous and liberal treatment.
Only to-day Webb Howard of the water
company, whom we owed q bill of $4,000 for
water, having taken look through the
museum said: i don't want a cent of
your money. Keep it and devote it to the
uses OF the museum In New York the
same spirit was shown and the purchases
made there were all subject to a generous
offer for your criticism great full-hedged
museum, as 1t takes years as well as enor-
nous sums of money to accomplish this
end. We merely present to you nucleus,
a beginning, of what we all sincerely hope
and feel confident will one day become a
great museum.
cit affords me great pleasure to an
nounce that we have not expended all our
money, that we still retain a balance, and
that 1t is the purpose of the executive COM
m1ttee to expend this in securing various
collections from time to time to add to
that which we offer for your inspection to-
day.. now come to the pleasant part of
my duty. Gentlemen of the Park Commits
sion and here Mr.. de Young turned to
Park President Austin, who rose in his
placeJ, the executive committee directs me
to place to-day in your hands and. in your
keeping the Art building and its annex,
with their contents, for the use of the
people OF this city and State. In placing
these In your charge we express the hope
that they will be always oper, Saturdays,
Sundays, holidays and at all times, for the
education and amusement of our citizens.
Mr.. Austin, in formally making this
transfer, L present TO you key made from
the golden metal that once rested in the
bosom of our State. I would express the
! sincere hope that while it is a key which
| now unlocks buildings that cover scarcely
two acres of ground, | trust that before it
becomes your official duty to give up the
same the buildings will cover over ten
acres, and that instead OF possessing from
5000 to 5000 exhibits, as it does to-day, there
will be half a million"
President Austin accepted the key and
the trust in modest speech pledging the
Park Commissioners to keep watch and
ward over 1t and to assist in every way to
| push 1t toward its destiny as one of the
great museums of the world. He then
called upon Hon. George A. knight to
| speak Tor the Commissioners.
Colonel Knight took up the theme in
that big-timbred voice which has added
SO mach to his fame. I'm these days" he
said, sit takes brave men to be public men
for to lead or to stand out from the mass
In anything is to invite attack from some
Jealous souls along the lower levels How
many criticisms have we heard OF this
| beautiful park and those who made it?
You who come here and enjoy its wonders
have little notion of the trials and the
heart-burnings that have' gone with the
building of this, one OF the greatest parks
| that Gods light shines upon. How little
we appreciate it all. Here we are gathered
under the blue sky, without protection
from the weather, while few thousand