The San Francisco call., 1896-02-20
Noble Project of the Balfe Moore
Club in Honor of Irish
Genius.
DISCUSSED BY ITS PRESIDENT.
The New Literary Organization Would
Like to Place a Monument in
the Park.

The Balfe-Moore Club, it now transpires,
has noble object in vieS-distant, how
ever, that prospect may be-and one which
has not yet appeared in the preamble of the
society. 1t is still as an unwritten project,
although not single member has been
found whose opinions are not in entire
harmony with the idea. Many of the more
intensely patriotic Irishmen, who form the
leading ranks of this club, look upon the
subject with longing for its realization.
FOR they are desirous of seeing a monu-
ment in enduring bronze, a marble to per-
petuate the name of the Balfe- Moore Club,
as well as do honor to two of their illus
trlous coIntrymen.
The project, briefly stated, is to erect a
monument in Golden Gate Park to Moore
and Balfe or to Goldsmith. Grat:an or
some other great Irishman. And further
this statue must be work of art that
would adorn the park and be an object of
interest to visitors of all nations.
Among those members of the club who
are specially interested in the monument
is James D. Phelan. Mr. Phelan's name
IS SO associated with every movement in
San Francisco looking toward the ad-
yancement of art or adding to the beauti-
Tying of the City that his support and
sympathy are regarded by other members
OF the club with feelings or much encour-
agement
j. J. O'Brien is another leading mem Der
OF the club who will do all he can to pro-
mote the idea of a grand monument for he
would like to see it reality in the people s
pleasure-grounda as q mark of honor to his
lllustrious countrymen. Rev. d. 0. Crow
ley, Thomas r. Bannerman, jeremiah
Mahoney, DIR. O'Toole and others, all
leading spirits of the alfeMoore Clue.
are right in line with the rest for the same
object.
The idea has not been formally discussed
as yet, but then the Balfe- Moore Club is a
mere infant, with an auspicious beginning
in the world and brilliant literary and
musical career before it. And so, like the
development of the club itself, this monu-
ment project can grow only with time. 1t
has been mentioned more than once, how
ever, when members of the club met, and
consequently, for all practical purposes, it
has already assumed pretty definite form.
1t was discussed last evening by Thomas
K. Bannerman, president of the club. He
said
There is a settled conviction among
many of the mem bers that one of the OBJ
jects of the Balfe- Moore Club in the near
future is to undertake the raising of a
monument to Moore and Balfe, or Gold
smith, or some other illustrious Irishman
be decided by the club. We feel that the
park authorities and the people would be
pleased to see statue to one, or, perhaps,
two, OF these men OF genius in Golden Gate
Park, since it would be noble ornament
of itself and fitting tribute from the
Celtic people of this City to Celtic emf
nence in art and letters.
"Just the same We would like to see
monuments to Longfellow, Washington r.
wing, Bryant or oIher great Americans, as
these statues tend to cultivate an interes t
in the graces and lead men into a closer
knowledge of the plishments of
American genius.
For my own part l have no doubt but
that if the matter of monument to Moore
and Balfe was undertaken by the respon-
sible men of our young society it would
soon be realized. From the immense au-
dience last night and from the gratifying
rece option to the initial meeting of the
club we find more encouragement almost
than / can express, and this is enough en-
couragement for US to go ahead with the
ultimate idea OF noble statue to our
countrys genius. l do not speak for the
club in this matter, but my opinions upon
il are those of many of my associates.
For plan of action l would suggest a
series of concerts similar to what we had
last night, and then by depositing the
money received in fund, even though it
tOOh SOlue years, we NOllu III Iue emu nave
our desires accomplished. We would not
aim to draw upon the generosity of the
masses of our people. The club itself is
not intended to be a popular organization.
Its membership is limited to men of taste
and the ability of accomplishing the OBJ
ject of the club. We propose to give balls
and reunions periodically. and by keeping
such fund as many of my associates
favor for monument, the project once
undertaken, we feel sure. would inspire
our people with enthusiasm in the move
ment and stimulate them to support the
cause"
David Costello, an active worker in the
Balfe- Moore Club management, said: 81
am heartily in accord with every thing Mr..
Bannerman says, and l would give my
personal services with the greatest pleas.
ure to carry out the grand idea. Every
Irishman should be proud to have an op
porturity Of lending hand in this pro.
ject. Our German fellow-citizens have SET
good example. They will have splen-
did monument to Goethe and Schiller, and
l believe the cost will not exceed $4,000
Now surely we can do as well as that, fol
if we set about it once in the right way
$4,000 or SO would not be long forth.
coming.