The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-05-12
PRESIDENT SEES Big TREES.
HIS FIRST VISIT TO THE FAMOUS
CALIFORNIA GROVE.
Starts a Reform at Once by DenorincinE
the Tackins Of Cards on the Trees
One Tree Named president RoOse-
,eit"-His Reception at San Jose.

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,en"-fIis Reception at San Jose.
SAN JOSE Cal, May 1.-THE big trees
of the Santa Cruz grove of Sequoid semper-
piyens were the object of side pilgrimage
by President Roosevelt to-day. He left
the main line Of his trip up the California
coast to take special narrow gauge up the
little San Lorenzo Valley to the grove.
His speech was demand for more honor
and decency from the people toward tho
trees and was followed by immediate re-
suits The cards which miserable Great
ures," as the President described them,
have tackled to the great trunks Of the
trees nearest the railroad station were
torn down by an enthusiastic mob Of citi-
zens Meanwhile. the President, declining
all escort except that Of DR.. Nicholas
Murray Butler, wandered out through the
grove among the giants.
The reception committee picked ont
an unnamed tree to be called President
Roosevelt" They said they wanted Cali
fornia to give him something which he
could not carry home like Josiah. the
accepted the honor on condition that the
committee would see to it that the label
placed on the tree should be small and
unobtrusive and not OF the sort placed on
the other trees which are forced on the
visitors attention to such an extent that
they mar the simple dignity Of the great
growths.
The President speech was made after the
young ladies of Santa Cruz had served a
picnic lunch to him and his party at the
entrance to the grove. 1t follows:
This is the first glimpse ! have ever
had Of the big trees. and wish TO pay the
highest tribute can to the State OF Cali
fornia, to those citizens and the association
State. in preserving the wonderful trees
for the whole nation in preserving them
in whatever part OF the State they may be
found. All Of US ought to want to see
nature preserved. The rash creature who
wishes to leave his name to mar the beauties
Of nature should be sternly discouraged.
Take those cards pinned upon that tree.
they give an air OF the ridiculous to the
solemn and majestic grove. Applause =.
To pin those cards up there is as much out
there. I mean that literally. You should
save the people whose names are there from
the reprobation of every individual by TAX
ing down the cards at the earliest possible
moment.
do keep these trees. keep all the wonder
full scenery OF this wonderful State unmarried
by the vandalism or the folly OF men. Re
member that we have TO contend. not merely
with knavery, but with folly: and see to IL
that you. by your actions. create the kind
Of public opinion which will put stop to
any estruction. or any marrinR OF the
wonderful and beautiful gift you have
received from nature, that you ought to hand
on as q precious heritage to your children
and your children's children. am so
glad to be here, to be in this majestic
and beautiful grove, to see the wonderful
redwoods, and thank you for giving me
the chance, and do hope that it will be your
object to preserve them as nature made them
and left them for the future" Cheers and
applause,
The President also visited Pajaro. Wat
sonville and San Jose during the day
Josiah the badger. is recovering from
the melancholy which overcame him when
he was first put aboard the train. and seems
TO be- enjoying his journey. He is taken
in to play in the observation part Of the
Presidents car every day and is treated
with great favor by every one except DIR,
Butler, who says that Josiah Is a fow-brow wed
villain of dangerous instincts.