The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-09-22
THE $1,000 APPROPRIATION

The brief of eX-JuStice Mckinstry out
lining the case Of the California Worlds
Fair Commissioners against the Controller
Of the State leaves something to be said
on the other side. 1t is reported of AbTa-
liam Lincoln that he once made such a
showing Of his case in brief that the other
party never came into court; but it is pos
sble that the then young advocate had q
stronger case than the State Commission
has against the State Controller. While
the reasoning Of Judge MeKinstry is plausi-
bic, 1t can hardly be considered conclusive.
The strong point in Mr.. McKinstry's argu-
ment is thar the $500, 900 appropriated by
tie Legislature is to he expended for the
Benefit of California through commission
created for that purpose. But under the
rules ana regulations adopted by the fair
managers, the competitive exhibit of Cali
fornia, as of all other States, will be made
under the direction of tie general manager.
None Of the articles that the State Com
missioners will gather in State building
VIII be considered in the award of prizes.
Tie State Commission will erect buildings
and make a display Of California products
which will doubtless be credit to the
State. But this display will not count when
the General Committee award prizes. The
exhibitors in the competitive display are
to make such showing as they can at their
own expense 1t is manifest that between
the clause in the Constitution which pro-
hibits the appropriation by the Legislature
Of money to be expended without the
State, and not under control Of citizens
Of the State, and the rules adopted by
the fair managers requiring all competi-
tive exhibitions to be made under the
direction of the general officials, the State
appropriation will not do the best
that might be done for the State.
The appropriation would do more good
if it could be used to make the best
possible exhibit in the competitive
department The commercial value of
an exhibit deFends largely upon the
recognition it obtains from the authori-
ties. 1t would do little good to send raisins
TO the fair that compare favOrably with any
grown in the Mediterranean, or wine equal
u the best in France, if the California prod
uct is not declared equal by the committees
Of experts to whom the decision as TO rela-
tive merit is submitted. With or without
an appropriation, exhibitors who contend
for awards must stand the cost of their own
display. \ good mauy people have reached
the conclusion that the appropriation should
be used to make the general display in the
competitive department as complete as pos
sble, or not at all 1t is not clear that the
Stale will derive much benefit from a dis
play Of products in separate building,
which will not be Included among those
from which awards will be given. 1T must
be remembered that there are forty-two
States in the Union, several of which will
1--we separate exhibits. The ordinary Wis
itor viii not have time TO make the COM
plete round Of general and separate exhibits,
but the former will be the chief attraction.
The exhibit any State can make will be in
significant beside the exhibit all can make.
Correspondents will write about the articles
in the competitive department with only a
side mention Of separate exhibits. There is
reason to doubt if the appropriation would
have been made If it had been known that
it would not be available to aid exhibitors to
tie competitive department.