Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-04-07
A CARD FROM MATHEW COOKE.

EDS. RECORD UNION In your report in
this mornings issue of the proceedings Of the
meeting Of the State Board Of horticultural
Commissioners, held at the Capital Hotel
yesterday, notice some remarks made by
one Mr.. Boggs concerning me that requires
correction. As to Mr.. Boggs' qualification
for the Office of Inspector of Fruit Pests,
1 have nothing to say whatever, further than
the incumbent of the Office named should
understand economic entomology be prac-
ticsl microscopist, and truthful As to the
latter qualification. Mr.. Boggs is represented
as saying, when he came to see me during
the session of the Legislature (and he asked
the reporter TO take the words down, I"
finally found Cooke, and asked what he
wanted. He replied that he wanted the
Office he had so as to have il at his box
factory, as he had $4,000 invested in the
box factory"
About the oh of March last, Immediately
after the passage of the bill creating State
Board of Horticulture, was in the corridor
of the State Capitol, nearly opposite the door
of the Assembly chamber. A man, unknown
to me at the time, spoke to me- stating that
he had been interesting himself on behalf of
the horticultural laws, and had secured six
votes for their final passage; that he wished
the position of Inspector of Fruit Pests, at
$50 per month that he came to this State
in 1885, that he had fought in the Mexican
war, and won the State, and now wanted to
get something out of il, and if [ would tell
him what l wanted he would help me to get
it. l replied that did rot want anything;
that the interest [ had taken in seskiug to
have the insect pest exterminated, and to
have bill passed for that purpose, was for
the protection of my own business, in which
| had $40 600 invested. This man (still a
stranger to mel insisted that l sheuld 90 with
him to Senator Cox. Having an appoint
ment with Assemblyman HOLSTER to go
60 the Governors Office [ parted with my
unknown interlocutor. | was to call on
Saturday morning at the Governors office.
AS soon as l entered the building, the
stranger and his friend sccosted me, with
the request that l should go with them TO
Senator Cox, if only as an act of courtesy to
the Senator, and alsoas he (Boggs) was going
home on the $50 P. NJ. train. | finally told
him if Senator Cox wished to see me more
particularly than | wanted to gee him, he
would send messenger for me. IS he had
done often during the session. Mr. Boggs
had stated to Senator Cox that | had in
formed him that l did not want any position.
and insisted on the Senator signing his petit
ton for the Office Of Inspector of Fruit Pests,
to Which the Senator replied, Bring him
here and let him tell me 3d." Further com
ment is unnecessary.
l. will further state that in answer to in
quiries made by Senators Cox and Routier,
Assemblymen Hollister, Carter and others,
during the time the bills were before the
Legislature aud after the passage of the bills,
that positively stated that | was not can
didate for the office of Inspector of Fruit
Pests Further, that the nomination of my.
self yesterday was without my knowledge or
consent, as l had not solicited the position
directly or indirectly from any member OF the
Board. That all who had any legitimate
connection with the passage of the bills knew
that | favored leaving the office in the State
Capitol land which l yet believe TO be the
proper place for it, but at the request of DR..
Chaplin and others the amended bills were
made to read San Francisco, and afterwards
changed by Senator Whitney, of Alameda, to
read: :" to meet at such places as it the
Board may deem expedient." Query-As
the honorable gentlemen above named knew
these statements to be true, what becomes Of
Mr. Boggs' dsreputable statement about my
wanting to get the Office established at my
box factory.
My interests in the protection of the horti-
cultural industry are the same as heretofore,
aud my services are freely offered to ary and
sll persons who may wish such inform alton
as l can give them in relation to insect pests
and remedies for their determination.
MATTHEW COOKE.
Sacramento, April 6, 1888.