The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-28


Robbie Burns, he of world fame
though thousands of miles of land and sea
separate his native soil from the western
remote end of the American continent, is
venerated in the memory of his brave
countrymen and by every American,
whether he be a reader or a nearer of
poetical effusions, for none there are who
have not committed to memory some lines
of the gifted "Robbie."
That monument will be erected to his
memory in San Francisco is foregone
conclusion. since the CALIFORNIAN Club has
determined to accomplish this purpose.
When a Scotchman makes up his mind TO
do a thing he is going to do it if there
be any truth in the History of Grand
father" by Sir Walter Scott.
The officers of the Caiedonian Club who
were recently elected will go into office on
the LIST of January. They are: D. R. Nc
Neili, chief; John Reid, first chieftain and
chairman OF receptions at all meetings
where the public is invited; George David
son. second chieftain and treasurer; ]. II.
Duncan, third chieftain and secretary J.
w. Cameron, fourth chieftain and financial
secretary; J. A. ]. Macdonald, physician !;
with John e. Nc Faline, A. Laurstcn, NJ
P. Forbes, d. II. Finnie and +. f. Finley
as a board of trustees.
They have set their minds on starting
subscriptions and the formation of a
nucleus by which the groundwork for the
permanent organization of working
com mittee will be so firmly planted that
there will be no such thing as backward
move.
Probably by the 1st dav of January,
1900 a statue of Burns will be erected.
The intention of the Scotch people of
California is to erect statue to Burns
which will be far superior TO anv sculpture
vet placed in Golden Gate Park. The
CALIFORNIAN Club will stand sponsor for
the undertaking. Yet all who wish to
honor one of the greatest of poets can do
so by assisting the Caledonians In their
undertaking.
This view of the situation has been ac-
cepted by not Only the st. Andrews Soci-
ETY., which is kindred branch of the
clans, but also the knights of St. Patrick
and the Sons OF ST. George. For the tor-
mer society F. T. Shea, the architect, at
recent meeting volunteered the assistance
of that society 10 the good work, as the
Irish are almost as much In love wit tn the
memory of the Scotch poet as are the
Scotchmen themselves. In speaking for
the Sons of ST. George MIR. Oliver, the sec
rotary, said that the Englishmen in San
Francisco would not be back ward when
the time comes for subscriptions.
On the suggestion of some interested
person made in casual way, that it
would be good idea 10 form ladies'
auxiliary, d. R. McNeill has partially en-
listed the cooperation of Mesdames
George Davidson, John Reid, ]. S. Web
ster, Andrew McNear. Alexander G. Bal
lingalI. d. a. Macdonald, Hugh Fraser,
John Elder, Adam Grant and Y. G. Law
son with others who are expected 10 join
their auxiliary.
The husbands of all those ladies are
earnest advocates of the Burns monu-
ment. Captains Bruce and Menzes may
be relied upon to do their share OF raising
funds when they once get started in
earnest.
In addition to the already large-szed
nest-egg in the hands of Second Chieftain
George Davidson, as treasurer of the Gale
DOMAIN Club, the receipts from the next
annual picnic will be devoted TO the mon
ument exclusively, after deducting actual
EXPENSES. This. with other plans OF Chief
McNeill will, before the year 1897 closes,
see handsome Burns monument fund
to the credit OF the building committee
in one of the City banks.
As soon as the newly elected officers of
the Caledonian Club get installed next
month, positive action will be taken
to form the necessary working commit
tooS