The Jersey City news., 1901-05-07


up as one great body with a fiutter of
cambria and lace. The crowd below
craned their necks with Here she comes.
Here comes Mrs. Benson as they made
way for her. They looked as though they
wanted to cheer, but there was as yet
no man on the platform and no woman
equal to the occasion, so the half framed
cheer died in inarticulation.
Proyokingly on time, promptly at two,
just as the last tack was placed in the
bunting round the grandstand, Major
Brensinger's Cadets under command of
Major Harry Gillian, swung into view,
escorted by twenty-six of Jersey City S
best police. Behind them came the city
officials and Street and Water and FL
nance Boards Again the crowd made
way. The Cadets marched to within a
few feet of the grandstand, halted, spread
and let the officials pass. while the band
played on.
Mr. Hauck opened the programme with
the following well chosen remarks:-
Ladies and Gentlemen-1n the absence
of the Chairman of the Committee on
Parks have been delegated to act chair
man of ceremonies. l don't intend to give
you any lengthy remarks as there will
be abler speakers to follow me. First and
foremost l want to extend hearty well
come to you all in the name of the Street
and Water Commissioners and their
thanks to the members of the Womans s
Club and to all officials and everybody
that was connected in helping to further
this project and in securing this beautiful
breathing spot for park purposes.
las look back and remember the pest
hole that existed here for years past and
see the contrast that will be here when
this beautiful park is completed, 1 have
no doubt that you will all say it is a
work we'll done. l will now introduce to
you the Honorable Mayor Hoos as the
next speaker"
Mayor Hoos said that while in continen-
tai Europe the cultivation of trees had
been going ON for centuries, it had only
recently been brought 20 the attention of
this country. The presentation of trees
generations The devastating of the West
had done much damage in drying up
streams, and it was time to rectify this
There were many who enjoyed the fruit
of the trees who never gave thought 10
the planter. OF late the planting had be-
come a principal feature in the United
States. and he was pleased to see Jersey
City taking such an active part in it. He
would see the day when both young and
old enjoyed the shade of the trees just
planted in the new park.
For many years, he said, this had been
a sight not inviting to visitors coming
into the city. 1t was sore spot. Now
since it had become park it would be a
spot of beauty. For the last ten years
no new parks had been created, not since
seven years ago at least. He thanked
the Womans Club and particularly Mrs.
Benson for their part in the work and
spoke of how the ladies had come to
him again and again requesting aid and
support.
"If.r said he, 1.-THE woman's Club goes
on like this. it will be permanent bene-
fit to Jersey City"
The No. Cadets, led by the training
school on the grand stand, then sang,
MY Country 'Tis of Thee" all present
joining in.
It was the speech of Lawyer Eugene
w. Leake that called forth the most re-
sponsive applause. Mr.. Leake seemed to
throw his whole heart and soul into that
speech, as he stood there, mere boy
among the gray haired men about him,
the artificial flower garden OF feminine
heargear for a background.
"As residents of Jersey City" said he
1--WE point with special pride to the eff
cient work of members of our Wom-
ans Club, to the painstal1ing and enthusl-
astic efforts of our fellow townswomer,
Mary Benson (Applause), whose unselfish
mind takes little glory except in doing
good Women often are the heroes of
this life. They struggle all alone without
fame and without recorded honor. Gap
plause.)
1--WE note also the prompt and hearty
action on the part of the municipal Board
of Street and Water Commissioners. Nor
must we forget
But here Mrs. Benson rose and touched
the young lawyers arm. He paused and
turned toward her. then went on
Nor must we forget
But Mrs. Benson interrupted him a
second time She held roll of bills in her
hand. There were a few whispered words
and Mr.. Leake proceeded.
'sNor must we forget the schools and
school children, the citizens like Mr..
Robert Anderson, Mr.. Simon Mayer and
many others. All these have helped to
make this day a great moral lesson of
unselfishness and charity.
81 may be pardoned for speaking of
another citizen and public official with
whom you may be personally unacquaint-
ed, except SO far as the mere contempla-
ton of his power and influence are con-
cerned, and of whom you may have form
ed hasty opinions based upon ignorance
or prejudice.
Perhaps you may not know that
there is steady line of struggling
humanity leading to his office, asking for
and receiving his generous bounty. Amid
all the excitement and tumult of political
conflict he finds time to take his unfor-
tunate brother into a quiet and sympa-
thetic confidence and send him away with
a light heart full of hope and encourage
ment
Friends the record Of Robert Davis S
charities is a sealed book, but they are
stronger and more pure for that lack of
| publicity" cloud applause.)
| Mrs. Bensons whisper had been that
Mr. Leake must not forget to give
credit Immediately to Mr.. Davis who had
backed her so thoroughly in her fight for
the park She didn't know, though Mr..
Leake did, what was coming.
Then the band started up again. When
| it had died down, Mr.. Leake who had