The San Francisco call., 1896-04-25

S. Ford, proprietor of the Grand Union
Hotel, New York, replied in an eloquent
strain, although his humor kept the large
party laughing from beginning to end of
his speech. He said:
Mr.. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen: Such
has been the warmth OF our welcome that it is
difficult Tor US to realize that we are pilgrims
from far country, and that 5000 miles away
our boarders are shifting for themselves and
our creditors fruitlessly knocking at our outer
gates, 'unwept unnumbered and unsung."
We who come from the cold, effete and clammy
East, nlled as we are with pride and Goldfish,
pie and self-esteem, have been touched and
electrified by the kindness and courtesy which
has been so prodigally bestowed upon US from
the moment we entered the portals OF this
lovely land. California is well named the
"Golden State" for though the precious metal
has well nigh disappeared from your streams
and hills, there is stock of pure gold in your
hearts which seems inexhaustible.
Since deciding to make this trip have been
reading up the history of the forty-niners and
what they went through to get out here. Some
OF our party went through a good deal to get
here. Some of them went through everything
had, except my return ticket, and now | find
it so lovely here l almost wish that they'd
got that too. This delicious, languid climate
just suits my dolce far niente style OF architect
ure. I'd like TO get some not too arduous posi-
ton out here, like picking blossoms off
century plant.
My willing soul would stay,
In such frame as this;
And sit and sing herself away,
10 everlasting bliss.
That is from one of Watts hymns, and 1 have
always noticed that Watts knew what's what.
Come what may we will never forget the
gorgeous time we have had on this visit and
the boundless hospitality of you wild and
wooIly Westerners and the glories of this land
OF sunshine and OF flowers and of the wonders
OF this climate. We are going to have some of
this climate canned TO take home with US.
Already we have forgotten the fatigues and
privations OF our trip across the continent; OF
how, when crossing the desert, no water passed
our parched lips for many moons; OF how our
eyeslght has been impaired looking for the
three-of-a-kind that never came OF how night
after night our rest has been bl token and the
am mbient air rudeiy shattered by the sterterous
breathing OF our plump contingent, and the
conversational powers of our sisters and our
cousins and our aunts; OF how Brother Brock
ways whiskers trimmed to every favoring
gale" created such enthusiasm among the
squaws along the line that we feared we would
never be able to get him across the desert un-
scathed; OF how we came flying across the Con-
unent the Chicago landlords in front of u.s.
the Boston landlords behind us-there we were
like Mahomet's coffin, suspended between
heaven and earth, or, perhaps, it would be
better TO say, "'twiXt the devil and the deep
sea-" And we have almost forgotten the awful
dust-for once New York had to take Chicago's
dust, but we passed it along to Boston.
And the changes of climate. As soon as we
got on our linen busters and palm-leaf fans
we ran into fourteen feet of snow, and by the
time we had donned our fur overcoats and red
m1ttens the mercury went up to 120 deg in
the shade. Really some one ought to invent a
patent, automatic, self-regulating, back-action,
ball-bearing, self-adjusting style of underwear
for transcontinental travellers.
All these privations and hardships we have
forgotten since we entered California, and
could the X-rays be turned upon us the fact
would be disclosed that we are filled 10 over
flowing with kindly feelings toward you, our
hosts, as well as of prunes and fruit, canned
goods native wines, evaporated peaches, liver
pills and gratitude.
Joking aside, we are fat crowd. 1 am not a
sample. am here as horrible example. Well
might the assembled multitudes along the line
Like It." p''-0 " -0'
Sweep on, you fat and greasy citizens.
To see the gentlemen l have mentioned at
night, dressed up in their blue cute little baby
blue LORD Fauntleroy pajamas, frisking and
ganDoIing especially gamboling) about the
car, like captive balloons in gale of wind was
sight calculated TO freeze the blood and make
reason tctter in her throne.
But, Mr. Chairman, have already used up
fifteen minutes of the ten allotted and viii
conclude this eloquent and impressive address
by again remarking that we are overrowered
by your prodlgal and delightful hospitality
We have all so fallen in love with your beauti-
fui land of sunshine and of flowers that were
il not for the fact that our butchers are fever
ishly awaiting our return, and are even now
nervously sliding down our cellar doors sing
ing, Father, dear father, come home to me
now" we would be tempted to settle down in
your midst and open anti-fat senitariums and
raise oranges and mortgages and other varie-
ties of California fruit.
Alfred Bouvier, who recently returned
from the East, "extended the glad hand,'
as he had been requested to do, although
after summing up the expense bill of his
trip he kissed the rod that smote him.
He said that all California had was the
visitors. They were welcome to it all.
w. L. Tanning. attorney for the New
1ork Hotel Association, responded in
brief speech as follows;
One year ago tonight, in that far-famed ban
quet hall, Delmonico's of New York, had the
honor and pleasure of expressing on behalf of
words of greeting and of welcome to the men,
bers of the H. NJ NJ. B. A. of the United States
Many who are present here tonight will re-
call that interesting occasion, which formed
the CHIEF feature of the three days of enter
tainment arranged by the local committee for
am free to say that the members of the New
York Association felt we'll satisfied with the
success which attended their efforts to make
the brief stay of the visitors a happy and
agreeable one.
We felt that the metropolis of the Nation en-
stranger within her gates which were superior
to those of any other city or State in the
Union, and when we exhibited to the admir-
ing gaze OF our visitors our magnificent parks
and superb driveways, the beauties of our
splendid harbor and noble river; when we
opened up to them our museums OF art and our
great Libraries, and when we entertained
theaters, we felt, repeat, glow OF pride in
the resources of our great city, and fully pe-
lieved that nowhere else in this broad land
could such entertainment be provided the
members of the II. NJ. NJ. b. A.
The experience OF the past few days. how