The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-08-21
RECEPTION WEEK.

INCEPTION week begins to-day and promises
~ to be the most joyous festival in the annals or
San Francisco. Certainly the city has never
before been so beautifully adorned as it will be this
week, nor was there ever before so large number
OF people directly and warmly interested in any fesal
movement OF public nature as in this one
Contributions to the fund amounted on Saturday
evening to more than $4,000 That means the sum
asked for by the citizens executive committee will
be given to the last dollar by a generous and pa
triotic people The subscription it is to be noted,
has been in every respect popular one. There have
been comparatively few donations running up into
the thousands The bulk OF the money has come
in small sums and represents the offerings OF the
mass of the people.
Unless some accident to the transport check her
progress or some adverse storm OF the battle her
in her course, the volunteers will enter the Golden
Gate about the middle OF the week The announce
OF her arrival will be the signal for the pent-up
enthusiasm OF the people to burst forth, and from
that time it will flow with full and roaring
strength until the hearts of all have been satisfied
and heroic boys have been assured of the honor
in which they are held by their fellow citizens.
San Francisco prepares the welcome and defrays
the cost but she will be alone in the enjoyment
of it. Large numbers OF people will come from the
farhes parts of the State to share in the greeting
to the who in the far-off Philippines attested
the valor Of California and the devotion of her sons
to the cause OF the Union.
1t is to be regretted that the Governor in his little
has not been able to comprehend the magnitude
Of the popular ervor in the reception and has refused
to set apart day OF the reception as a public
holiday. Had holiday been proclaimed the work
ing men and women OF the city would have had full
freedom to join in the throngs that will cheer the
volunteers as they parade the streets and share in
the JOY that will attend the concerts and illumina-
tons that follow
Since the Governor has refused to provide such
legal holiday, it is the duty of citizens to make
holiday for themselves. Certain industries must Of
course, be carried for public necessity and con-
venience, but let all other Offices shops and stores
be closed on the day OF the great parade when the
reception festivities will eliminate 1t is not yet
known what day of the week the parade will fall
but as 1t does not occur until the second day after
the volunteers reach the port ample time will be
given for all to arrange for it.
AT this time all looks we'll for the success Of every
feature of the reception. The decorations of the
streets will not be only prouse but artistic and will
be the pleasing because they will be to some ex-
tent expression of the sentiments of the Colorado
volunteers, now in the city, who have volunteered
to assist IN arranging them. The management Of the
military concerts, the fireworks the feasts the re-
cepons and all other parts of the festival in good
hands and have been planned on noble scale.
We will be ready for the boys when they come.