The San Francisco call., 1896-12-19
Great Interest Being Mani
tested by American
Scots.
The Opposition Once Manifestsd
Is Turned to Indorse.
ment.
A List of Men Who, Forming Com.
mittee, Would Be Certain to Make
the Movement a Success.

The Burns monument, discussed at the
Burns banquet of the Caledonian Club
Thursday night, will certainly become a
speedy reality-speedy as such things 60
if the prevailing enthusiasm of San Fran
cisco's American Scots is sustained. The
American-Scotch blood in this City is ex-
cellent stuff, and list of the Scottish
names to be found in the directory might,
Transcribed and printed. serve for list OF
prominent citizens. Not one among
them, so far as learned, but is ready to do
what he can to help the monument
scheme along.
Already very substantial offers of sub
scriptions have been made. d. McLen-
nan, contractor of the very beautiful
bridge IN the park and owner of a granite
quarry, stands ready, he says, to furnish
$500 worth of granite for the base, and
certain liberal subscriptions made to the
fund when similar movement was
started few years ago are, it is conf
IDENTIFY believed, still TO be depended upon
and collecta BILE.
The proposition to build suitably
noble monument to the memory OF Burns
was mooted in Scottish circles a few years
tie warm support of not only all good
Scotchmen, but many others. 1t had the
misfortune, however, to meet the out
spoken opposition of certain newspapers,
who declared that the building of monu-
ments in Golden Gate Park was not a
thing to be encouraged, as Golden Gate
Park ought not to be turned into a ceme-
terry" in this way. Besides, they said, if
monuments were to be placed there they
should not be erected to the memory of
foreigners"
This very naturally had the effect OF
cooling the ardor of those who stood
ready to subscribe their money for what
they deemed to be work for the general
good. The idea of Burns being considered
foreigner" to any land or any people
was sufficiently repugnant to the Scotch
men to place q decided check on their
plans. However, that opposition is not
to be feared in this instance, as the news
papers referred to have already spoken
out In favor of the proposed movement.
The idea of the monument originates
with the Caledonian Club. and that or
ganlzation declares faith in its ability to
carry the business through. The most
important step, it is held, is that OF ap-
pointing committee of thoroughly SUBJ
stantial and capable business men, max
ing that committee permanent, charged
with the responsibility of building the
monument. That being done, the Gale
donian Club will get behind the commit
tee and the work will go steadily for
ward, lust~as does the private enterprises
of any of the mem bers.
That committee? Well, such men be-
long to the club to be drawn upon for
such service as John NJ. Duncan, Andrew
Wilkie, D. A. Mcdonald, Colin NJ. Boyd.
Angus McLoud, J. d. McGilvray, John
McLaren, John Reed, James McNab.
James S. Webster, Dr. Mclean. Dr. Nc
Donald, Colonel G. w. Taylor, Hugh
Fraser, D. McFee, George Davidson, Y. c.
Lawson and a long list of others.
Members of the Caledonians saw that
committee composed of these men would
be practical guarantee of the building of
the monument, and that the monument,
when built, would be an everlasting credit
to the City and Joy TO the people.
The Caledonians are in fine form to I'M
dertake the enterprise, having nothing
else pressing upon them. When the plan
was under consideration before w. T.
Garrett & Co.. brass founders, made a for
NAL offer of the bronze necessary for The
figure, and although Mr.. Garrett has since
died it is thought the promise is still
good.
Colin NJ. Boyd at that time said he
would give $1,000, and Colonel Harney,
Tho is also since dead, $3.50
Tue committee will collect pictures of
Burns monuments in this and the old
country. and suggestions will be called for
from the best sculptors of the country. 1t
is expected that the monument will cost
81