The San Francisco call., 1896-10-06

1t had been announced on the street that
When he appeared on the balcony with q
number of others his reception was en-
thusiastic. That of Mr.. Spreckels was
more so. The Governor said:
II did not expect to make speech
when l came here to-day. l am glad to
see the construction of the Valley road
that which the people of Fresno and the
San Joaquin Valley have prayed for so
ong-aceomplished. The prosperity and
development OF the valley has been de-
layed by the tax placed upon its products"
The Governor said that Claus Spreckels
should be held in the greatest veneration
by the people of the valley. Appiause.]
He referred to Mr.. Spreckels having
with one stroke of his pen. subscribed
$500, 900 to the railroad project, and his
two sons $500, 900 more. making 500, 600,
putting the project on its feet.
at depends on the people of the valley
whether they deserve the benefits of COM
petition" he continued. ST understand
one farmer has saved $4,000 in reduced
freight rates this year on account OF the
Valley road"
The Governor predicted that in ten
years, with it's cheap electricity for light
and power, there would not be a grander
or a more prosperous city in California
than Fresno.
"People are now living" he said, "who
will see this valley teemlng with the mil
lions of people it is capable of supporting.
This is Fresno's greatest day. 1t is day
which 1T should celebrate year in and year
out, and have in a few years in fact what
it has in name in club, a population of
1000" [Cheers.]
Then Claus Spreckels was loudly called
for. He finally appeared. climbing
through a window. "Three cheers for
Spreckels' was the shout and the crowd
responded with vim.
II can't make any speeches." said Mr..
spreckels. 'but l can help you out.
[Cheers.l 1 am not native OF California,
but there is no other place for me thar
California. [Cheers.l 1 have tried to do
in my old age as much for you and Cali
fornia as can. The younger people here
will live to see 100000 people in this
valley-live to see California the greatest
State in the Union.''
Governor Budd arose to his feet and,
swinging his hat, called for Three
cheers for Spreckels and the directors of
the Valley Railway" They were given
with great enthusiasm. There were other
speeches by attorney E. F. Preston,
Levinsky. Miles Wallace and others. The
speeches of the evening doomed the Val
ley road even more than those of the
afternoon.
The banquet at the Hughes Hotel in the
evening was the elimination of the days
festivities. 1t was the most elegant and
eloquent affair of its kind that
has ever taken place in the raisin Gen.
ter. 1t was given by the members
of the Hundred Thousand Club and the
Chamber of Commerce il honor of the dis
tinguished guests of the city-the Valley
road officials and Governor Budd and the
other visitors from San Francisco and
Stockton. About $50 sat at the tables.
John Reichman, president of the Cham
ber of Commerce, acted as master of cere-
monies.
The following were the toasts: 1.-THE
State of California" by Governor Budd;
"The San Francisco and San Joaquin Val
ley Railway Com mpany," James D. Phelan;
Committee of Ten," A. ]. Pedlar; "Com-
mittee of Three" George L. War
low; "San Joaquin Electric Company,
J. ]. Seymour; 1.-THE Public Schools"
George E. Church; THE ladies'" Judge
Stanton L. Carter; English Capital In
vested In Fresno County," L. A. Mares;
''The National Guard of California" Gen.
eral A. W. Barrett; Stockton" P. A.
Buell..
A tribute was paid to Claus spreckels in
almost every toast