The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-26
NATIVE SONS CAN Do IT,
They Can Place the Golden
State Where 1t Properly
Belongs.
They Are Indorsed by Prominent
Members of the Grand
Parlor.


of the CALL about placing California where
the State belongs.
The CALL in an editorial in yesterday
mornings issue, drew attention to
the organization, the Native Sons of
the Golden West, now in annual session
in Oakland, and suggested that that booy,
aside from its social and benevolent feat
ures, might introduce one that would have
for its purpose the making of California
what it ought to be.
1t was suggested that the young men
who belong to the organization could,
notwithstanding politics are eschewed in
the order, uphold the dignity and guard
the fair name Of the State by Furnishing
political miscreants who betray a public
trust; that they could, by means of an
auxiliary, produce won derful results for
the good of the State of California. and
that they could take the lead in the great
movem ent TO have California accorded her
proper sphere among States.
1t was asserted that there was no doubt
but that they as individuals had exerted
themselves in that great movement, and
that as a body they had assumed a re-
sponsibility that seemed to make the exer-
else of patriotic energy in collective capacity
a positive duty, and that such organized
effort under the SANE ton of the central
body would accomplish vastly more than
the scattered and unorganiZed efforts of
individual members.
These suggestions attracted the atten-
ton of leading members of the organiza-
ton, and a number of them were of the
opinion that they were worthy of serious
consideration. What they said follows.
r. NJ. Fitzgerald, past grand president,
having read the CALL editorial, said:
That editorial, so far as spreading informa-
ton OF the State goes, is in accordance with
my views. Those views and great deal more
were expressed by me at Santa Cruz some six
years ago. l believe that the order should do
all it can to advance the interests of the State.
/ am sorry that / have not copy OF that ad-
dress, for it would give clearer idea of my
views on that subject than l can give at this
time, owing to the fact that must return to
the session of the Grand Parlor.
Subsequently Mr.. Fitzgerald in a rous-
ing speech, when a motion was made to
make San Francisco the permanent place
of meeting for the Grand Parlor, declared
himself i'll favor of holding the sessions in
various parts of the State in order that the
delegates might become acquainted with
all sections and understand by observation
and conversation what grand State this is
DR.. Charles w. Decker, another past
grand president, also expressed himself in
favor of advancing the interests of Cali
fornia. He said:
The proposition advanced by the CALI. that
the organization of Native Sons should do
something to advance the State and draw to
1t the attention II deserves is novel one, but
it is worthy of serious consideration The sug-
gestion may be taken up by members of par
lors throughout the State and discussed and
no doubt, by the time the next Grand Parlor
meets, some plan may be developed which
may be adopted, and may result in the greatest
benefit to the State.
1 personally am in favor of doing all that
n hn dnn IN aAvynr
perity, and believe that the idea that the order
should do something in that line ought to be
seriously considered.
M. A. Dorm, another past grand presi-
dent, said:
The suggestion that the Native Sons, as an
organization, should do something to draw at
tention to our State and its possibilities is a
good one, and believe that it ought to be done
ii it can be without coming in conflict with
the constitution of the order. The members
OF the order are taught patriotism and love
of their native State and that 1t is their duty
to do what they can to benefit 1t.
How this order can best promote the inter-
ests of California could be determined after the
suggestion is put into the form of plan and
discussed.
10 D. Sproul, grand president of the
Grand Parfor, said:
have always held that, while this is
not political organization, the members
should devote their attention to politics, not
stood-ward meetings and the like-but politics
In the broader, higher sense. hold that it is
their duty to see that none but the best and
I most competent men be named for office, and
that when men are elected they faithfully
discharge the duties imposed upon them.
l believe that Native Sons are good
men for Office, and further, l believe
that it is the duty of every member of this
organization to watch any Native Son who
may be chosen for office, and, if he prove I'M
faithful, to see that he is never named for
another Office. AS to the suggestion that
the order should do something to pro-
mote its interest, that is, proclaim its
possibilities, 1t is very large question that
cannot be answered offhand. OF course,
can understand that information about the
state sent out with the stamp of approval of
the order would have a great deal of weight
but that is a matter that ought to be carefully
considered-that is, whether the order can do
that.
Frank H. Dunno, grand vice-president,
did not think that under the constitution
OF the order it could go outside of its mem
bers in its teachings. He said:
do not think that any auxiliary branch
OF the order could be organized, and l am
afraid 1t would mean the death OF the order.
The members OF the order are taught patriotism
and to venerate those who preceded them and
made the country what it is. do not think
that we ought to go outside of the order.
Henry Lunstedt, grand secretary, said:
may be somewhat Of back number, but !