The record-union., 1891-08-27
THE HORTICULTURAL HEADsH1P.

THE HORTICULTURAL HEADSHIP.
In common with all well wishers of
California we have hoped that the con-
troversy over the headship of the Depart
ment of Horticulture for the Columbian
Exposition at Chicago would ere this
have ended. While great deal of harsh
criticism has been visited upon California
in this matter it is submitted that Direc-
tor-General Davis is not free from blame.
When recently at a gathering of repre-
sentatives of commerce one of the num-
Der ventured to review the course of
General Davis in this matter, he was
checked with the suggestion that criti-
cism of the Director General would re-
suit i'll for California. 1t is unthinkable
that General Davis was privy to any such
warning, since it would place him in an
autocratic attitude, and justify the con-
clusion of his unfitness for the important
trust
However, without other than an impair
tial and dispassionate purpose, let us see
how far the official is open to criticism
For instance, Mr.. De Young, National
Commissioner, has asserted that the posi-
ton of head of the Horticultural Depart
ment was conceded to him as an individ-
ual, at his request, and not to the State.
Assuming Mr.. De Young to be precise
in his ststement, and to have measured
the full meaning OF his expression, in
what attitude does this place General
Davis? Certainly, if in the exercise of
his high trust he mortgages positions for
which he alone can name the nominee,
out of personal consideration for in
dividual Commissioners or any others,
he confesses lack of that judicial quality
essential in an official such as he is. AS
an executive he would be incompetent
because weak, if measured by such
standard, and because any bargain or
sale of subordinate positions, no matter
what the consideration, would be proof
of narrowness of conception of the duties
of Director-General, and misconception
of the purposes of the trust reposed in
him. 1t must be between Mr. De Young
and General Davis therefore whether or
not the latter is open to the unenviable
criticism indicated.
But the Chronicle, Commissioner De
Youngs journal, which diligently re-
ports all the acts and expressions of the
Commissioner, recently editorially said
that it is true that Mr.. De Young in his
capacity as a member Of the National
Commission has not made an effort to Sc
cure the position for Mr.. Shorb, and that
for this there is abundant reason. The
principal among the reasons is discover
able in the comments made by Director
General Davis upon Mr.. Shorb, which,
to quote the language of the Chronicle,
would be sufficient to deter anyone, it
might be supposed, from making any
very strenuous efforts in his behalf"
Now, the Worlds Fair to be held in
Chicago is q national institution, and re-
ceives cash aid from the Federal Treas
ury in the sum of 100000. California
is an integral part of the nation; the in
yitation to take part in the fair is to the
world and the people Of the United
States, among whom are the people of
California. That people plainly made
manifest that they did not desire Max
well appointed to the headship of the
horticultural Department No matter
who suggested his candidacy, it was
offensive to the representative citizens
who have builded the horticultural in
dustry of California. Likewise it was
offensive TO every intending exhibitor
having the enterprise or the intelligence
TO prepare an exhibit for the Worlds
Fair. These representations were made
to General Davis and their verify estab-
lished, and were sufficient to have con-
WINGED any man that the selection was i'll
advised. But General Davis clung ten
aciously to the nominee, and thereby
invited criticism unfavorable to his ad-
ministrative character.
Following this the Director eneral
appointed General Chapman, whose
name was rejected by the National Board
of Control. That this would be the out
come it is asserted the Director General
well knew. He then named Forsythe,
who was an alien, and after the fact was
made public that he was subject of
Great Britain, though many years resi-
dent of the United States and holding posi-
tions and exercising the rights of citizen
ship but free from its obligations. Yet
General Davis adhered to this candidate
after the facts were fully and widely
known, manifesting thereby a persist
ence that justly exposes him to unfavor-
able criticism. 1t will be recalled that
the General so far forgot himself as to
say that no matter who should be pro-