The herald., 1898-03-06

trail park is to New York, what Golden
Gate Is to San Francisco, and what Rich
mOnd park is to London.
would to God that we had more men In
our community like Colonel Griffith.
had hoped that his noble example would
have borne fruit, but as yet 1t has not. In
San Francisco the public-spirited men oil
do not wait for death to separate them
from their money. Colonel Grimths s
munificenco comes in the full vigor of his
life. He may live to enjoy It In company
with his neighbor, and we heartily thank
him for his generosity, and am sure that
none but the best wishes and motives
prompted his generous gift.
His action will I've forever-will be
spoken of by our children's children-tor
the lives of good men. generous men, 40
live after them"
The mayor's remarks were received with
burst of applause, which lasted several
moments President Silver then handed
the handsomely enRrossed deed ro Clty
Clerk Hance. who proceeded 10 read IL IN
all the details of its provisions. When ne
had finished, the ordinance accepting the
mark on behalf of the council was read and
upon motion of Councilman Nickel, under
suspension of the rules. was passed unani-
mouslv and Griffith park had in fact and
reality become the property or the city OF
Los Angeles. When the applause which
greeted the happy completion of these cere-
monies had died away, President silver
rose and spoke as follows:
PRESIDENT SILVER'S ACCEPTANCE
"Fellow Citizens: | was not aware until
II o'clock this morning that any remarks
were expected of me; hence l am to GER
tain extent unprepared AT any rate can
but echo the sentiments already expressed
by those before me. 1t is indeed gratifying
to find a fellow citizen imbued with the
spirit that it is more blessed to give than
to receive and which seeks its full realiZa-
tion in noble acts and imperishable deeds.
Such acts as Mr.. Griffith's have justly
prompted this extraordinary OCCASION
1.-The council accepts the gift from you
with gratitude and pleasure In return
beg to convey on behalf of the people
clear and undisputed title to field upon
which stands monument more enduring
than brass or marble, upon which is an
inscription time cannot efface-it Is Grif-
nth park. May you live to see that park In
the fullness of its beauty-and when bloom
and flowers send forth their perfumed in-
vtation to rest and recreation. and when-
ever angels. lost. there shall be found, they
will unite in one grand chorus rendering
thanks to the generous donors-Mr. and
Mrs. G. j. Griffith"
Following this, letters of regret were
read from President Martin Kellogg Of the
University of California at Berkeley and
VIM. M. Bunker of the San Francisco Re
port. In his letter Mr.. Bunker said:
THE princely gift Of Col. G. ]. Griffith
has aroused the admiration and touched
the pride of the entire state. and 1t Is fit-
ting that the acceptance of the title deeds
for Griffith park should be marked by a
great popular demonstrations. Nor should
this demonstration be confined to the ci.i-
zens of los Angeles. The value of large
nil arLc ic thrnlrh0nf
the civilized world and the movement for
larger and better parks in this state shows
that we are making substantial progress
in the right direction"
THE DONOR RESPONDS
There were repeated calls for Mr. Grf-
fifth, who for a time seemed reluctant to
respond, but he eventually stepped for
ward and said:
II can assure you that am not speak
er, as you will probably be convinced be-
fore l am through. l had contemplated
the deed which has been consummated
here today for many years. For sixteen
years after l first saw the Los Feliz ran
cho, and after l had purchased 1t, after
visiting all the large cities of the world
and viewing their parks and pleasure
grounds, / then saw that there was no
section of land so desirable and so neces-
sary to the city Of Los Angeles for park
purposes as what is now Griffith park.
"At that time / could not afford, in my
then circumstances, to make 1t a gift to
the city but ! resolved that as soon as my
worldly affairs had so shaped themselves,
1t should be devoted to the future pleas
ure of the people of this city. 1t happens
nov that my future is fairly we'll provided
Tor, and thats1 can, with due regard for
my little family and their necessities. see
my way clear and can afford to give 1t
without hampering my future movements,
and accordingly l have done so. Gentle
men, / thank you,' and with a graceful
bow, Nr. Griffith retired to his seat.
OTHER SPEAKERS
Short addresses of complimentary
character, similar to the foregoing, were
made BY W. c. Patterson. eX-president of
the chamber of commerce; j. S. SlauSon,
judge r. II. f. Variel and Hon. w. II.
Workman. ex-mayor and present park
commissioner. Mr.. Workman promised,
on behalf of the park commission, that the
task OF improving Griffith park should be
begun at the earliest possible opportunity
and carried to it's ultimate completion as
fast as funds for the purpose became avail
able. a motion to adjourn was put and
carried, and the meeting broke up, the
greater portion of the crowd thronging
around Mr.. Griffith who held little
levee. and was for some minutes the CEN
ter of an admiring and congratulating
crowd. During the exercises the deed had
been taken to the court house and record
ed. and Immediately on reaching his office
the mayor signed the ordinance of ec-
ceptance, so that Griffith park is at last
pleasure ground.