The herald., 1898-03-06
DECIDED TO THE CITY
GENEROUS GIFT OF g.. J. 0RIF-
FIFTH CoNsUMMATED
THE PRESENTATION SPEECHES
Replies by the Mayor and President OF
the Council-Senator Whites In
troductory Remarks

and professional men. comprising mem
bers of the bench and bar. city and coun-
ty officials and men who have been prom
inent in the upbuilding of Los Angeles,
assembled in the council chamber yester-
day afternoon to attend the special ses-
sion of the council at which the city was
presented with a clear deed to the mag
nifcent tract known as Griffith park.
There were representatives of the cham
Der of commerce, the board Of trade, the
Merchants and Manufacturers associa-
ton, in fact an assembly more typical OF
the enterprise, business push and solid
wealth of the city would be hard to get
together
The special session had been called Tor .
o'clock, but long before that hour the
crowd began coming and by 2:45 the cham
Der was we'll filled, the walls inside the
rail being lined with chairs, while the
lobby was packed, the throng extending
out into the hall Shortly after o'clock
the side door of the council chamber
opened and Mr.. Griffith stepped jauntily
in. carrying huge roll. tied with an I'M
mense bow of blue satin ribbon-the deco 10
Griffith park. Following Mr.. Griffith We're
Senator White Mayor Snyder, President
Silver and the members OF the councli,
Judge Mckinley and several city officials
number of chairs had been reserved for
the party on the west side of the room.
the councilmen took their accustomed
desks, while Mayor Snyder was given u
seat alongside of President SilveT. CITY
Clerk Hance presided at his desk.
After calling the meeting TO order. Pres
ident Silver ordered the clerk to read the
call for the special meeting. which was
done. without further ado Mr.. Silver
stated that all knew the purpose of the
gathering, and that 1t was unnecessary to
tell any inhabitant of the city of Los
Angeles of the magnificent gift now to be
finally transferred to the municipality.
Senator White then came forward and
made the Introductory address. speaking
in substance as follows:
SENATOR WHITES REMARKS
I'm company with several gentlemen,
your humble servant has been made one Of
q committee in the transaction of the for
NAL transfer OF Griffith park to the city Of
Los Angeles. and we have deemed it proper
to make today more than common event.
1t Is unnecessary for me TO enumerate the
magnificent donation of Mr.. Griffith: there
Is no one in the city who does not appre-
ciate the generosity and public spirit which
has moved him. In these days of graspng
and money getting it is a cheering sight
that one man can be found to make so mag
nifcent a donation to the public veal.
But he will be in a certain measure re-
paid. The enjoyment he will CLEAN from
looking on the work of his hand and plaud-
its Of his countrymen will more than COM
pensate him for the subtraction from the
sum total of his estate. He is not an eld-
erly man. and hence he is not giving be-
cause of an incapacty for enjoyment.
Wealthy men generally die and leave 1t TO
their executors to carry out their bequests.
How much better Is 1t that one should give
while still able to enjoy the fruits of his
benefcence!
1T Is unnecessary for me to advise the
acceptance of this gife by the council.
This is a red letter day in the proceedings
of this body-one that will be long remem-
bered and recalled years after we who are
now present have passed away. I will now
give place to Judge Mckinley, who will
make the formal presentation of the deed
to the city on behalf of Mr.. Griffith"
THE DEED PRESENTED
Stepping forward. Judge Mckinley ad-
dressed the assemblage in the following
words: Il appear here today as member
of the committee in two capacities: first,
to express my feelings in regard to the
magnificent donation of Mr.. Griffith to the
city; and, secondly, on his behalf to pre-
sent tho deed to the council, which he is TOO
modest to do himself The magnificent do
main which he has presented TO the NUM-
cipality Will be a lasting monumen Mt to the
man who so generously has given it. In
the early days of colonization in this coun-
try. the tendency was toward the use of
all clear ground for productive purposes.
As civilization advanced, breathing spots
. are needed for the use Of the public and
that is what Griffith park will be to Los
. Angeles. That so young a man is able to
, make such gift as this is another COM
mentary on American grit and enterprise.
This domain of three thousand acres is
to be accepted, but our duty will be to
make it attractive and beautiful. Upon
you, gentlemen of the council rests the
Of mn hing Z a IN hie,
western paradise. 1t cannot be done all
at once, that we appreciate. The city Is
like young, growing boy. He is continu-
ally outgrowing his clothes. We know
that the council has trouble in keeping up
with the city's enormous growth, but not
withstanding 1t will be glad to accept this
magnificent addition to the city's parks
Now, on behalf of Mr.. Griffith, the gen.
erous donor, it becomes my duty on this
memorable day to present to you, the
mayor, the document which transfers for
evermore the title to the lands known as
Griffith park, to be held in perpetuity for
the benefit and use of the citizens of Los
Angeles"
So saying, Judge Mckinley handed the
mayor the large roll, who, in turn. passed
1t to President Silver. who received it on
behalf of the council.
, MAYOR SNYDER'S ADDRESS
Mayor Snyder was the next speaker. De-
,scending from the rostrum, whore he had
!, been seated by the side of President Silver
the mayor advanced a step, and in clear,
ringing tones, spoke as follows: I'VE have
just Witnessed the formal transfer of the
title deed to Griffith park from our dis
tinguished townsman Col. G. ]. Griffith to
this city. 1t is possible that some of you
may not appreciate the Importance of this
transfer. Central park In New York con-
tains S25 acres of land; Golden Gate park,
San Francisco HOO acres; Richmond park,
London. 2253 acres: Griffith park. Los An
geles, 3Ol5 acres. This generous gift has
come from generous man. The land is
situated but little more than a mile from
the northwestern city limits, and comprises
q vast extent of hill and valley. extending
Tor distance of two and one-half miles
through the frostless hills of the Cahuenga
valley. There are between four and five
miles OF the Los Angeles river bottom COM
@prised within its limits and 1t embra ces
practically the whole of the Rancho Los
Z Feliz and the old ostrich farm. TO-
gether with the land is given a water plant.
: partially constructed, and several minor
Improvements. All is given uncondition-
ally, save that 1t be used for park pur-
poses only.
"Mr. Griffith has shown his foresirhted-
Hess in making a provision that if. after
o consultation of the city officers, it should
be deemed advisable at any time to award
. franchise for a railroad to or through
the park, no charter shall be granted with
I. out the stipulation that never more than