Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-04-12
A PERPLEXED OFFICIAL WHAT SHALL
BE DONE!

A Commissioner for California at the
New Orleans Worlds Fair has been APP
pointed But Colonel Andrews declares
it to be hollow honor. The Office is dig
nifed enough, but the officer is powerless.
No funds are provided for his use He
needs at least $4,000 to enable him to pre-
pare place for the California exhibits,
secure their transportation and guard the
goods that may be committed to his care,
and We think $4,000 none too much. He
has already been asked what space Cali
fornia will need, but he dare not reply.
He really mas no information as to what
California will do. If he reserves space,
and it is not filled, California viii be hu-
inflated. If he does not reserve it Cali
fornia will be shut out. If he advances
the money necessary he has no security
for its repayment He asked the Governor
TO include the matter in his call for the
extra session of the Legislature, but it was
not done. Colonel Andrews adds: " do
not feel like going down to New Orleans
myself 70 pay all the expenses. for
California exhibition. Of course
| would not do that At the
same time l am willing to pay my own
expenses, TO receive no salary and to en-
terrain my California friends when they
come down to New Orleans. All the com
pensation | ask Is the honor, and it will
cost me probably $1,000 to go there
He has received several applications
already from intending exhibitors of our
products, but he does not know what reply
to make to them. However, he intends
to issue circular and invite private con-
tributions to the needed fund, and then if
the money comes in, to address agricultur-
lists, orchardists, manufacturers and others
to make up display. This is a very crude
plan and not worthy his ability to organize
and manage. Other States have appro-
priated $4,000, and some have set apart Il
larger fund for their Commissioners, but if
$4,000 or $4,000 can be secured Califor-
MIA can he fairly represented, while $4,000
expended viii be a wise investment. As
in most cases Of this character the
expectation has been voiced of securing
material aid and considerable money from
the railroad companies to promote the Cal
iforuia exhibit. This is of course, based
upon the assumption that the railroad cor
porations are especially interested. This is
true. 1t Is to their interest to have the
State rapidly settled up, that greater bust
ness may result and contribute to their
lines. But, really, have they greater in
terest than the people generally? Ger
tainly not; nor is there any warrant for
surprising that at 4 time when they are the
objects of most serious and hurtfui assaults
from the dominant party they will
feel like entering this new field. Already
they maintain costly immigration agen-
cies at the East and in Europe, and expend
large sums in inviting the desirable classes
to California. Possibly they may believe
that they can accomplish greater result,
by the expenditure Of the same amount Of
money through these agencies than by
contributing to a worlds fair. No one
has, however, so far as We can learn, beer
authorized to speak for them They may
or may not help the perple1ed Commits,
sioner out of his dificulty-it is an un-
certain quantity in the problem, and if he
relies upon it, and it fails, California will
AaFe no worthy exhibits at New Orleans.
s better thing to do is TO Immediately