Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-03-19

N7 HE Auditorium was crowded to it's
utmost capacity to welcome the
- distinguished English statesman,
and the reception accorded him was
spontaneous and heartfelt, for Mr.
Bryce is a person of unassuming man
.ners, thoroughly democratic, and to
know him is to be his friend.
Without the use of gestures, without
assuming oratorical effect, he spoke
with such convincing earnestness that
every point told. 1t would be mis-
use of the English language to say he
gave a speech. 1t was rather a talk,
in which he barred his mind to his audi
ence and in plain straightforward
English told of the modern city and its
duties
MIR. Bryce did not attempt to fiatter
his hearers He spoke of conditions as
he found them; he mentioned changes
that every municipality should adopt
and his assertion that the humblest
taxpayer of a city should be made to
feel as much interested in his home
city as the wealthiest citizen, brought
forth a round of applause.
Although by no means a Socialist
Mr.. Bryce stated that the wealthy per-
sons of a city should strive to elevate
conditions so that their poorer neigh
bors would take a keen interest in af-
fairs, and added that by so doing the
greatest amount of patriotism would
be shown.
Audience Takes the Point
Although Mr.. Bryce mentioned poll
tics in the course of his address he did
not touch specifically on Los Angeles
politics; but his statement that demo-
cratic form of government was the free
expression of public sentiment was
taken as a local application.
The Gamut auditorium was decorated
lastly with the national emblems of
England, Ireland and America, and
across the stage was draped large
English flag, with American flags
dr. tped on either side.
Mr.. Bryce was introduced by w. ].
Hunsaker president of the City club,
as the foremost representative of Great
Britain, man whose abilities were de-
voted to the cause of all, and a man
thoroughly democratic.
Seated on the stage were w. d.
Stephens mayor of Los Angeles, and
a representative gathering of city Of
ficials.
Mr.. Bryce took for his subject, 1.-THE
Modern City: What 1t Is and What 1t
May Be-" At the outset he stated that
no city could come more appropriately
under the head of his subject than did
Los Angeles, for Los Angeles is a city
that everyone knows, but what it
may be- is a question of unrestrained
speculation.
Mr.. Bryce said in part: THE United
States has an ideal form of govern
ment, and by government is meant
democracy. In order to have salts
factory form of government it is es-
sential that there be an expression of
public opinion, and it is for this pur-
pose that clubs and organizations, such
as your City club, are organized.
1T is not necessary for such clubs
to take an active part in politics, but.
by discussing the civic and economic
an opinion. this opinion, when wide
spread, is bound to have an influence
that must be felt and respected.
Politics in Plenty
ut has been said that in Canada
there are more politics to the square
yard than any other country in the
world, but there is a good deal of poll
tics in Los Angeles at present, and
perhaps your city is striving for Can
ada's honor.
"Clubs and organizations formed
for the public welfare should not be
distracted by party politics. Their
opinion, but party politics in a munic-
ipality does not always work advan-
tageously.
LET spirit of democracy pervade
such clubs, let the people get together,
state their views and express their
opinions, and the result must in
evitably be satisfactory.
"It would be well for all to follow
the example set in the cities of Scot
land, where party lines in municipal
affairs are unknown and where, as
result, the best government prevails.
"A comparison of the ancient and
modern city is an interesting study.
In ancient times a city was little