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[newspaper clipping with portrait drawing of Mr Stanford]

HON. LELAND STANFORD
PRACTICAL PHILANTHROPY.

Last week the people of the State of California and the world generally were informed, through the medium of the press, regarding the opening of a new institution of learning, rich in endowments and broad in the scope of its educational aims, in short something totally new in the line of institutions of this character. We allude to the opening of the Leland Stanford Junior University at Palo Alto, the country residence of Senator Stanford in San Mateo county, some twenty miles south of this city. The founding of this noble seat of learning may justly be termed the crowning point of an energetic, honorable and well-spent life. The University itself is intended to keep fresh and green the memory of the young son of Senator Stanford, a youth of rare promise, whose earthly career terminated some seven years ago, but it will be also eternally and inseparably associated with the name of its actual founder. What more fitting memorial, what more lasting monument could there be, for a departed son of rare intellectual promise, than an educational institution which will confer upon the sons of his fellow citizens, to the remotest ages of the future, a training which will fit them to become good and useful citizens, a course of instruction which will fit them to start with the very best practical equipment in the race of life? What more philanthropic or beneficent act could a wealthy man perform, with what greater honor as a deep thinker and a broad-minded philanthropist could he crown himself, than by bestowing the bulk of his vast fortune, as he has done, for the practical benefit of the generations yet unborn, the sons and descendants of those who move and act and live with him today? The wealthy of the world who have bestowed their fortunes in this or a similar way might be counted upon one's fingers, so rare and few are they. In this country probably George Peabody and Stephen Girard were most notable examples of men who have appropriated great wealth for the benefit of their species. But none of these, and we question if any one, either in ancient or modern times, has given so vast a sum - running into many millions of dollars - for any object, as Senator Stanford has done for this one object, the building and substantial endowment of the University at Palo Alto, to provide a sound and practical education for the sons and sons' sons of his fellow-citizens in this State. This is what may well be termed practical philanthropy. Nor are the people of this State forgetful or inappreciative of this fact. There is nothing within the gift of the people of this State for which Senator Stanford might signify a wish, that would not be gladly given him. Thirty years ago he was elected Governor of this State, an office of official importance which would not be conferred upon any one, much less so young a man, if not endowed with exceptional abilities. There is a rumor in the air that Senator Stanford might be induced to accept the Presidential nomination from the Republican Party next year. It is well known that the new Farmers' Alliance movement has him in view as its Presidential candidate, on account of his broad sympathy with the struggles of the agriculturist against the ever-tightening grasp of capital. Upon this subject, however, we shall have much more to say later. His sympathy for the colored race is a matter of old time record. We feel sure it will give pleasure to our readers to recall to their recollections a little incident substantially demonstrating this fact, which came under our personal notice. In the course of a visit paid to this city by Rev. J. C. Price, D. D., President of Livingstone College, in North Carolina, our representative happened to be one of a committee of gentlemen appointed to introduce Dr. Price to (then) ex-Governor Stanford. The Governor expressed a deep interest in the welfare of the institution and, at the close of the interview, demonstrated that his interest was of a real and practical character by handing Dr. Price a cheque for five thousand dollars. Such instances are by no means rare with Senator Stanford. Men with sound ideas on political economy and practical philanthropy are the men who are wanted in the high places of the nation.

Vindicator, January 2, 1892

SENATOR STANFORD ACTIVE.

Senator Leland Stanford has taken his seat. The Senator has opened his new career in the Senate by introducing a batch of bills which, according to all reports and appearances, are formulated with a view to furthering the best interests of the country at large, and California particularly. Our Senator is an active man and there is no doubt that he will put his shoulder
to the wheel and push ahead the supply of many long-felt wants.