The San Francisco call., 1897-03-28
HONORS To SAN IA
CLARA'S SENATOR
Enthusiastic Reception to
Hon. Fl. V. Morehouse
at San Jose.
Hale's Hall Too Small to House
All Who Gather to Cheer
the Statesman.
Rounds of Applause Greet His Reply
to Attacks Upon His Course
at Sacramento.

ception rendered to Senator III. Y. More
house in this city this evening was one of
the most enthusiastic ever accorded pol
itician in Santa Clara County. A large
crowd. representing all political parties
and including many ladies, braved
heavy rainstorm to gather in Hale's Hall,
and hundreds who could not be accommo-
dated with seats remained standing in
order to hear the discourse OF the eloquent
speaker. The Fifth Regiment band,
which was in attendance, entertained the
gathering until the arrival of the guest of
honor, and his entrance was the signal
for round of deafenlng applause.
Senator Morehouse was introduced to
the audience by Louis O'Neal, who nomi-
mated him in convention for the office to
which he was elected. Mr.. O'Neal re-
ferred 10 the magnificent manner in
which Senator Morehouse had shown
himself worthy of the confidence which
the public had placed in his honor, integ
rity, craftsmanship and courage, and
stated that by his course in the Senate he
had won for himself an enviable place in
the estimation of the people of the whole
State.
When Senator Morehouse arose he was
greeted with deafening applause, which
lasted for some time. When order was
restored the speaker said:
Ladies and Gentlemen: l am very glad in
deed to be again permitted to appear before
my own people and to have this opportunity
of addressing them. Ever since my return
from Sacramento l have been the recipient of
kind greetings, the warm pressure of honest
hands and the hearty congratulations, which
show that my humble efforts meet the ap-
proyal of my constituency.
have done my duty. 1 know it and am
sure that you know it. l did not expect any
such meeting this. I expected simply to
pass back into my business, we'll knowing that
I had done my duty faithfully and honestly
and believing that my own people, who know
me well, would give their unqualified appro-
baton over my course. But l find that you
are not satisfied only to bid me welcome but
that that welcome should be a spontaneous
outburst OF good feeling.
Now, TO begin at the beginning: I told you
in the last campaign that if 1 was elected 1
would prove to the State that Santa Clara
County was on the map of the State. have
done so. The whole State has heard from me.
True, the San Francisco Examiner has sought
by innuendo and falsehood, by scurrility and
abuse, TO defame me, yet its attacks have only
drawn my friends nearer. When 1 reached
the State capital the first thing done was for
the Republican members of the Senate to or
ganize caucus. What did that caucus do !?
II first took the list of attaches OF the previous
Senate and the payroll and Gu off all unneces-
sary attaches and reduced salaries to the ex.
tent of saving the State S34S per day, or a
total saving of $26, ,448 for the session.
1 speak of this only to show you that this
Senate had the good of the people at heart.
We kept that pledge.
IneXt bent my energies to obtain the needed
legislation for my own county. Take tn e
State Normal School: I got for it, with the as
sistance of my colleagues in both branches OF
the Legislature, the requisite appropriations
to maintain and carry on that grand home of
learning. Nor is that all. L got an appropria-
tion. now in the hands of the Governor, of
$4,000 to build gymnasium on the normal
grounds so that the young ladies and gentle
men attending this great State school might
have a home for physical development. Nor
did we stop there. We got put in the general
appropriation bill an item of $4,000 for keep
ing the normal grounds in repair, that the
lawns might be cared for and the parterres of
flowers might be kept, and the walks i'm
proved and the trees trimmed. Thus for the
next two years may hope to see the San
Jose State Normal School q seat of learning
adding honor and glory to our city and
county.
Nor did we stop there. We passed a bill
granting to the city of San Jose the right ana
power to build the high school on the normal
grounds, thus saving to the public the neces-
sity of paying $40, 600 for lot of land, and
building $55, 900 schoolhouse; so that n ow
our School Trustees will erect an imposing
and handsome structure, costing $75 600.
Then, out on the Normal lot as people pass
by, they will behold temples Of learning and
beautiful grounds and shaded walks and our
city Will be what 1t is destined to become-the
you during the campaign, and have kept my
word.
Nor is that all You had an election during
my absence and adopted @ new charter. The
records of the Senate viii show that l intro
duced Senate concurrent resolution z, and
that now to-day this city is no longer carrying
on business under a charter created years ago,
but is working under new charter, giving
the powers necessary to meet the growth Of
this beautiful and intelligent and prosperous
city.
Nor is that all. We obtained for the State
Insane Asylum at Agnews ali the usual and
necessary appropriations to keep that great
institution for the care of the unfortunate in
sane. And further, we got an appropriation Of
$22, 900 to build cottages and enlarge the Ca
pacity and efficiency OF that institution.
Nor did we stop there. Out at Evergreen we
found home under the control of the Ladies
OF the Relief Corps OF the Grand Army. This
institution not being State institution, could
not, under recent decisions. obtain State aid !;
so, at the request OF Mrs. DR.. Secord of this
City-ore of those grand and noble women
whose hearts beat in sympathy for the poor
and suffering widow OF the soldiers and sailors
who gave their lives in defense OF our country S
honor and perpetnity-I undertook, with the
assistance OF Mrs. G. Mason ktnne of San Fran
cisco and Mrs. Cora A. Merritt OF Oakland to
draft a law changing this Evergreen home to &
State institution. We succeeded.
The law was passed and with a SO 1000 ap-
preparation for future maintenance and
$4,000 to meet any present deficiency. That
alone was an act which is an honor not only
to yOur representatives at Sacramento, but a
glory to Santa Clara County, and a blessing
which shall rest like q halo of giinting SUM-
shine upon the heads OF Mrs Dr. secprd, Mrs.
c. Mason Kinne and Mrs. Cora A. Merritt.
Nor did / stop there in my efforts for the
soldiers of my country. Go to Yountville, in
Napa County, and there the Soldiers Home,
now for the first time State institution,
although not in my county, owes TO a very
large extent its success at my hands. Nav, all
the time my heart and voice and hours of toll
were given to aid and care for those brave old
defenders of my couatry's flag.
Nor did / stop there. Go ask your Grand
Army Post here, and they wi n tell you that I
was through my efforts the petty charge of %
cents for swearing TO pensions ana making
8ffidayits was stricken from the lee bill and
cut out OF the county government act
Was that all? Nay, 1t was who got $4,000
appropriation for a Hamburg exposition, that
the fruit product OF this county might find a
market in Europe. True, did not do all these
things alone. was simply intrusted with the
duty and the grand, noble, brave and honest
members of this Legislature stood by me, as
stood by hundreds of other measures to aid
them.
But, again, when I was a candidate my po-
litical sdversaries and personal enemies
sought to defeat me with the cry of railroad
attorney" 1t was said that was in favor OF
the funding bill; and yet look at the records
and there you Will find an Assent bly, joint
resolution requesting our representatives in