The San Francisco call., 1896-02-21
A BALFE- MOORE STATUE,
Prominent Irishmen Want to
See a Memorial in the
Park.
AN EXPRESSION OF OPINIONS.
Proposed Series of Entertainments to
Defray the Expense Is Gener.
ally Approved.

The proposition of the Balfe- Moore Club
to erect a monument in Golden Gate Park
to Baife, Goldsmith, Moore or some other
famous Irish representative of letters or
music has called forth many expressions
of opinion.
Not dissenting voice has been heard
among the prominent Irishmen of the
City.
The club, although a comparatively new
organization, includes many prominent
men in it's membership and this movement
symbolizes the high intellectual character
OF the society.
]. J. O'Brien, James D. Phelan, j. Ma
honey, the Rev. D. o. Crowley. T. R. Ban
herman and other leading spirits of the
club are enthusiasm collectively persona
fed and will do all in their power to carry
the project to successful issue.
Many other well-known Irishmen, not
members of the club favor the idea,
though some place it secondary in the
scale of importance to another enterprise
which the Irish societies are seeking to
develop.
jeremiah Deasy, connected with sew
eral leading societies, said yesterday: Il
think the idea is commendable. 1t will
reflect credit on the Irish residents and if
properly carried out must be an ornament
to the park. No one can possibly think
| of anything to say against the undertak-
ing; but l believe the project of a grand
union hall for all the Irish societies should
take the first rank in importance. This
last means great deal to the Irishme n
and their several organizations in this city
and [ am in hopes decided action will be
taken soon. However, | am very anxious
to see statue of one of our illustrious
countrymen placed IN the park and will
do ALI / caO tn aid he m0vam ont -
James Gilleran said he had been in such
poor health lately that he had paid
little attention to local Irish affairs, but
added that he could be depended on to ap-
prove and abet any worthy act of his coun-
trymen. A statue suited him.
DR.. O'Toole, who is a member of the
new club, said he had been placed on the
board of directors without his knowledge
and that he was not familiar with the
proposition in detail. "Ger arally speak
ing, though, | think it vii: be a grand
thing to place a monument of the kind
suggested in the park and let it 60 forth to
the world that such is the tribute paid by
the San Francisco Irishmen to one of their
national celebrities, he said.
Others who were unfamiliar with the
plan in detail had no hesitancy in express
ing their approval.
Attorney M. Cooney spoke with fervor of
the immortal fame won by his country
men in letters, giving the most attention
to Moore. "It is certainly noble
project" he said "and one that does
honor to the Irishmen of San Francisco.
| do not think the sweet singer Moore will
ever die i'll the memory of the people. but
such monument should be erected by all
means. Moore is as we'll, If not better,
loved and remembered to-day than when
in the flesh. We have reason to be proud
as Irshmen and Americans of the great
men who have sprung from our race"
The proposition to hold series of enter
tainments similar to the Goethe-Schiller
festival, for the purpose of raising the
funds needed to defray the expense of the
monument, is generally favored. Many of
the other societies will probably give their
hearty cooperation.