Untitled Page 9

Ink drawing of three ovals showing portraits of: THE LATE SENATOR LELAND STANFORD, MRS. LELAND STANFORD, LELAND STANFORD, JR.

IN MEMORIAM.
LELAND STANFORD.

When Peter Cooper died, the people, not only of the East but of the whole world, said: "He built his monument before he died, and left behind a name wedded to imperishable fame." The same may be said of the late Leland Stanford, whose sudden death June 10th, fell like a crushing blow, alike upon the people of this State, and the nation. Death levels all differences, and even those journals which were loudest in their denounciation of some of his ideas and methods, were among the most prominent in paying the just debt of justice and tribute of admiration to his transcendent genius. Each day
of his life unfolded like the pages of a book, and could be read by all, and although many disagreed with him in certain methods, all were convinced of the good which resulted from the fulfilment of his designs.

Mr. Stanford's great wealth was a lever by means of which he rolled aside such obstacles as stood in the way of carrying out these great and grand designs which tended to open up a field of usefulness to his fellow-man. It is true that in many respects his life's work was left incomplete by his death, but it is not reasonable to suppose that a man of his ability and great executive power, knowing the uncertainty of life, would have his affairs in such a shape that his work would not go right on, and his designs be carried out after his death. His living representatives are undoubtedly instructed, and will cary out his wishes faithfully.

Much as has been said and written about the Leland Stanford Jr. University, and the educational advantages thrown open to the present and to future generations, no one can form any adequate idea of the immensity of the work from a mere cursary examination or the superficial knowledge gained by reading prospectuses. It is a study which grows and gathers as it grows, and no one can foresee its extent. Prof. David Starr Jordan, referring to the applications for admission to the University said in conversation a short time since, that they could accommodate on thousand additional students if they only had dormitories in which they could sleep, and places where they could board. There is no doubt but that these wants will soon be supplied.

Mention ought here to be made of the manner in which the idea of this University took its origin and gathered shape. The Senator's only son, Leland Stanford, Jr., who died prematurely at the age of sixteen, was of a remarkably studious and generous disposition. Upon his death, nine years ago, the Senator determined that a large bulk of his fortune should be devoted to just such ends as would have been his boy's ideal had he lived. This idea took the form of a memorial educational institution, which the Senator lived to see embodied in the University at Palo Alto. A nobler or grander conception has never been realized than has been in this instance, for the reason that the idea was so unique in character, and embodied so many novel educational features, that had it not been for the practically unlimited endowments made to the University from the Senator's vast wealth, the intention would scarcely have been realized.

Senator Stanford has been the subject of so much eulogium during the past few years, that only a brief review of his life is necessary here. He was born in Watervleit, Albany county, N.Y., March 9, 1824. He received the common school education of those days, studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1849, during which year he opened a law office at Port Washington, Wis. In 1850 he returned to Albany and married Miss Jane Lathrop, whom he took to his new field of labor. In 1852 the young couple decided upon trying the gold fields, of California, and hither they came. After spending a brief period in the mines he opened a store at Michigan Bluffs, and shortly after entered into partnership with his brothers in Sacramento. It was while engaged as a merchant in that city that he entered into the plan, afterward carried into execution, of building a railroad across the Rocky Mountains. In 1860 he was a delegate to the National Republican Convention that nominated
Abraham Lincoln for President, and of whose nomination he was an earnest advocate. In 1869 he had the satisfaction of being chosen to drive the last spike in the tie that completed the iron belt across the continent.

In 1861 he was elected Governor of California, and the same year was made President of the Central Pacific Railroad Company. In 1885 he was elected United States Senator, from California, and was re-elected in 1891. In 1887 he laid the corner stone of the Leland Stanford Jr. University, which was formally opened in 1891. This institution of learning he endowed with a gift of 85,000 acres of land, 8,400 acres of which is at Palo Alto, Santa Clara county, and includes the magnificient summer residence of Mr. and Mrs. Stanford, surrounded by 400 acres of lovely parks and lawns, besides the great horse breeding farm; the Vina estate of 55,000 acres in Tehama county, in which is the famous Vina vineyard of 4,000 acres and the third grant is the Gridley ranch of 22,000 acres in Butte county, the whole being valued at $20,000,000, the rents and avails of which go to the support of the University. Senator Stanford's entire estate is variously estimated at a value of from $35,000,000 to $50,000,000.

The founding of this University was one of the great ambitions of his life. But he had two other pet schemes, in one of which he succeeded, and as regards the other, he opened the door for future action. The first was removing the disability under which the colored man rested when giving evidence in the courts against a white man in this State, by securing the repeal of the law governing such matters. It is to Leland Stanford that the negro man is today indebted for the position he holds in this respect. The other scheme was the Stanford Land Loan Bill, the proposition being for the Federal Government to lend money to farmers upon their land, the argument being that there is no better security than land, which can never be lost or its value destroyed.

Among the many who have paid glowing tributes to the memory of the dead Senator, probably no one has spoken more gracefully of him than Col. John P. Irish, who was opposed to him in political matters. He says: "To him the horizon of the future was always rosy and inviting. Confidence and hope were the buoyant elements of his character, which lighted his path. Out of present toil he looked forward, and, while making the most out of present conditions, in his mind created larger limits, devised an ampler theatre, and planned the conquest and occupation of both. In private life his friendships were sturdy, and all the revelations of that side of his character are gentle and enjoying."

His funeral took place from the University Quadrangle on Saturday, June 24th, the remains being deposited in the magnificient mausoleum that he erected on his private grounds. Right Rev. Bishop Nichols officiated, and Rev. Dr. Stebbins delivered an address. Among the pall bearers and those who were present during the obsequies were some of the most distinguished citizens of the State.