Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-08-22

scientist. He was among the earliest resi-.
dents OF Sacramento, and as far back as
1854 was one of the proprietors, and princi-
pal editor, of the Democratic State Journal.
He held various county offices, and was
Secretary OF State in the administration of
Governor Low. Having been on intimate
terms with the founders of the Central Pa.
citic Railroad, it was natural that he should
accept responsible position at their hands,
and for nearly twenty years he has been
the General Land Agent of the company,
filling that arduous post with signal
ability. In 1869 he suffered the effects of
too persistent labor in stroke of paralysis,
which warned him that unless he paid
some regard to his health his career would
be very short. Accepting the warning
wisely, he at once repaired to Europe stay.
ing there two years, and finally returning
with his system apparently restored, and
his mind enriched by travel.
At that time he really seemed to have
obtained new lease of life, and by care
full regimen he was able to resume his
LAHORE, and to extend the sphere of his
activities in many new directions. He
was man who always kept fully abreast of
the best thoughtof his time. He read widely
and iudiciously. He was deeply interested
in the new philosophy, and in physical sci
ence. At the age when most men have
settled down into the grooves which they
are to occupy during the remainder of their
lives, his restless and active intelligence
was busying itself with continual novelties.
Nor was the knowledge of the library alone
sufficient for him. His mind was an alem-
bic which distilled all that passed through
it, and his faculty Of expression was such
that he was able to add new lucidity and
interest to the subjects which he had been
studying. Eminently social man, and
never contented until he had seen for him.
self the experiments which had suggested
new theories, he was led to associate him.
self with the California Academy of Sci.
ences, of which he was an active and most
useful member. All his lines of thought
were thoroughly practical, however, and
so it was equally natural for him to throw
himself enthusiastically into the problems
of fish culture, when he was appointed one
of the State Fish Commissioners. His
services to the State in that Office have
been considerable, though modestly rem.
| dered, and at intervals he has written in.
teresting papers on this question, some of
which have appeared 10 the columns of the
| RECoRD-UNIoN.
His wide information and energetic hab.
its pointed him out as fitting selection for
the Board of Regents of the State Uni.
versity, and there as elsewhere he brought
all hia intellectual forces to bear for the
benefit of the Institution. As converse.
tionalist he had very few superiors, and
those who enjoyed the privilege of frequent
intercourse with him know how valuable
were his suggestions, how pregnant his
thoughts, and with what wise yet genial
philosophy he discussed all the questions
which interest mankind, throwing new
fight upon the most hackneyed topics, and
giving to the most -aasaal- c5nversatisn the
charm and Importance of we'll prepared
discourse. He had travelled much, and
seen men and cities, and all that he had
seen had reacted upon isreceptive faculties.
To memory of great scope he added facul-
ties of sci sction and condensation which
enabled him to reproduce his impressions
and to apply his knowledge, in the most
felicitous and skillful manner. Life had
not soured him. On the contrary, though
he had known suffering, his kindly eyes
seemed to shine more brightly as the
SHOWS deepened on his head, and the
years which too often bring in their train
gloomy pessimism, only ripened and
made more genial his happy disposition.
No man had more or firmer friends, and
no man ever deserved more to be loved by
a wide circle. His life was not merely a
negative ona It was Astounding in benz.
factions. His leisure hours were devoted
to public tlses OF the most practical and
valuable ch aracter. The education of the
people, the food of the people, the health
of the people, interested and claimed his
attention. The knowledge he had acquired
IA many ways was not boarded, but
lavished Oh al hands. He was ever ready
to impart what he knew, and his ability to
do this in the most clear and thorough way
greatly enhanced the value of his com.
munications. There can be no doubt that
he possessed mind very nearly, If not
quite, of the first order, and one of the
most poignant regrets connected with his
death must be due to the obvious fact that
his intellect was still expanding and de-
veloping when he was thus suddenly re.
moved from the scene of his labors. Yet
it is given to few men to have lived more
useful and blameless life, and his family
and friends may at least console themselves
with the reflection tina. his record was
made, and that he had fulfilled all the
duties he owed to the world
1t is when writing concerning friend
newly dead, and deeply lamented, that one
feels the inadequacy Of the commonplace
expressions OF regret and coincidence.
Nothing can compensate those who knew
and loved him for the loss of such man
as B. B. Redding and yet to those who
did not know him the eulogy whicd may
seem all too tame and restrained for his
intimates, is apt to appear even exagger.
ated. But his epitaph will not be written
in water, nor will the good he did be in.
TERED with his bones" His memory
will be preserved and honored as that of one
of CALIFORNIA; pioneer citizens whom she
had repeatedly called to occupy positions
of high responsibility, and wao, to the
close of fairly long lie, carried .unstained
his reputation for integrity, and indicated
the confidence and esteem of his fellows by
the constant exhibition Of tic highest
qualities, both of mozart and mind
TaE CASE OF MR. BEBKsY.
We think it will bstgenerall5 admitted,
by all who have read the statement OF Mr..
Bsrkey's delinquencyj presentsM by the