Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-04-12
A Democrat Who Thinks Differently.

Democrat Who Thinks Differently.
EDS. RECORD. UNION 1t was to be hoped
that we might lock forward to much benefit
TO be derived from Senate Bill No. 8, just
passed by the Legislature, but from present
appearances it would seem as il it, too, is
only to serve as bait for political fish. sThe
late meeting of the new Horticultural Com
missioners was characterized By scenes and
language uHbecoming Of themselves, but
douoly so when We take into consideration
the fact that the Commissioners are occupy
ing places OF honor under the State. They
are fulfilling trust. The State has empow-
cred its chief executive officer to appoint men
from the several districts, who g shall be
specially qualified by practical experience and
study in connection with the industries de.
pendent upon horticulture This Injunction
signifies not only what is literally stated, but
other implied qualifications are apparent, and
which cannot be overlooked. To be "speci-
ally qualified for Horticultural Commits
sioner, one should be vitality interested in
horticulture, both financially and from
| liking to the occupation. Intelligence and
knowledge is not alone sufficient. Progress
| iveness, and q determination to further the
best interests of the horticulture of Califor-
MIA, are indispensable qualifications of good
/
edge, practicability, energy, and whole
souled interest in horticulture, can only fit a
man for assuming such a trust.
The Commissioners have been appointed,
and have already held their first official meet.
| ing, but with what results At least four Of
the Commissioners have already shown that
they lack the first requirement-sbility to
uphold their opinion against the demands CT
party obligations. There is no other copclu-
sion than this to be derived from the action
of the Commissioners lately assembled at
Sacramento. For there can be no doubt that
the four gentlemen in question were at least
intelligent enough 20 see that the man they
voted for as chief horticultural officer had
not the first qualifications for the Office. He
openly admitted that he knew nothing of
economic entomology, microscopy or prscti-
cal horticulture. He having, since 1915,
"owned at various times several farms at
various places" and on each of them having
"set cut more or less fruit-trees and grape
| vines, and learned to bud trees when boy"
no more qualities the man for the place tina n
it would qualify him for Inspector OF hospi-
tails or hsrbor defenses Such statements as
| these only show more clearly the real status
| OF the man. Anyone who is verdant enough
to believe that the horticulturists of Calfor-
MIA are going to trust the execution OF the
provisions of the bill spoken of in the hands
learn " and hiss the self-suficiency to assert
that "no more competent man had been
proposed" have a wrong opinion OF the
matter.
The very shallowness of ihs man would
appear ludicrous were il not that he is apt,
BY this very shal,owness, to do horticulture
aud the State serious and irreparable injuiy.
The next two years will almost certainly de-
eide whether or not the fruit pests of our
| State 20. ha and xuh (al
fornis fruit is to retain its unrivaled reputa.
ton in the markets of the world. We can
not ford to wait for Mr.. Boggs to "study
up Ithe subject" during which time we will,
in all probability, see the codling moth, scale
and other injurious insects become entire
masters Of the situation.
The very fact of the immediate outbreak
OF dissatisfaction is enough of itself to con-
denim the choice of the Horticultural Com
missio1ers. Those most vitality interested
are not to be hoodwinked by the statements
that no one is especially qualified for the po-
siticn. Nothing is farther from the truth.
But if it were the case, surely common sense
and propriety should make it apparent to
every one that the place should be filed BY
one whose sole motive and qualification are
not the pecuniary inducement and political
creed.
There are men who have made the subject
one for special study, ard who are at least
aware of the fact that the office of Fruit Pest
Inspector is not to be . sinecure. In fact the
salary cannot be considered as any induce
ment for the right mai. Il will barely pay
his expenses, and If he gets no other remuner-
alton than financial from the work If he has
no other interest or intention in pursuing il
than to draw his salary, then surely the fruit
interests will continue to suffer. The mod.
esty Of the newly. elected Inspector in asking
for psy for three months in advance is only
comparable to the cbildlike and bland man
rer in which he assumed that, because
be was elected Chairman, he was also
Inspector of Insect Pests, or 60 the consist
ency and familiarity with parliamentary
rules shown when he complaeently decide
from the chair that.he was entitled to take tbs