The record-union., 1891-06-04
AGAINST MR.. MAXWELL.
A. T. Hatch, the Worlds Fair Com
missioner, Explains.
An Interesting Missive On the SUBJ
ject From Washing
ton Porter.
[san Francisco Examiner, June Sd


A. T. Hatch of Suisun City, who is
one of the largest fruit growers in the
State, an ex-President of the State Board
of Trade and member of the California
Worlds Fair Commission, has written a
vigorous letter to the Chicago Board of
Directors protesting against the indorse-
ment of Walter Maxwell. Mr.. Hatch
was in the city last night and desired to
make some explanation since he had
actively opposed the appointee, in spite
of the statement repeatedly made that no
Californian can become the head of the
Horticultural Department if Mr.. Max
well is refused
Commissioner Hatch said: ST am
against the Endorsement of Walter Max
well, because believe he would be dis
grace to the great State of California. 1
am aware that California cannot get the
honor if Maxwell is not accepted, but I
had thousand times rather see a decent
man from any other State in the place
than see him. do not oppose him be-
cause he is not horticulturist. In my
opinion man does not have to be horti-
culturist to be efficient in the place, and
any decent man of good executive ability
can make a success as head of the
Department of Horticulture"
Have you personal reasons for oppos-
ing Mr.. Maxwell ?"
LETTER FROM PORTER.
ANY man who knows me knows that
would not oppose California's candidate
for personal reasons. / never saw Max
well and did not know him until his
name was presented. Then 1 learned
there was not respectable man in his
10 u I
for him. How he came to get the ap-
pointment you can see from this letter,
which l received this morning from
Washington Porter, whom almost every
body in California knows" -
And Mr.. Hatch produced the missiVe,
of which the following is the pertinent
portion:
'MAY, 1891.
ID. T. Hatch, Esq.-DEAR. HArCH: 1
was over the other day and saw Director
General Davis. He tells me that he was
really forced to make the nomination of
Maxwell from the fact that De Young had
got the Endorsement of every newspaper
in Chicago, as well as that of the National
Commissioner other words, there was
such pressure brought to bear upon
him that he said he made the nomination,
but there seems to be very strong oppo-
sition to Maxwell now in the Board of
Directors. Some believe that he will be
confirmed; others think he will not 1t
is matter we, can not tell about yet 1t
is in that sort of a position that the Di-
rectOrS have got to assume the RESPONSE
bility of confirming or rejecting his
nomination. / suppose we will know in
very short time now, as the board meets
early next month";
WHAT MR.. HATCH HAS LEARNED.
81 wrote to Los Angeles" continued
Mr.. Hatch, ''and learned definitely Just
what sort of man Maxwell is. Then l
sent letter to Mr.. Higinbotham, the
Chairman of the committee which had
the matter in charge, asking him to stop
before infiicting this terrible burden on
California until he could hear from Max
Wells neighbors. l asked him to learn if
it was not true that Maxwell was entirely
unfit to hold any office on account of his
personal habits and associations, and to
learn If 1t was not true that even his own
townspeople were against him.
81 then saw Maxwell and told him
what l had written. ] told him, too, that
his business standing was bad, and that
all he had he married and then wasted. He
answered, L have increased it 900 per
cent told that to Judge Fitzgerald of
Los Angeles tonight and he said. Max
well has not done anything of the sort.
Every bit Of it is mortgaged.'
Il have received letters from the
southern part of the State and have talked
with many prominent men-all Califor-
nians-and they agree with me that it
would be terrible blow to the State if he
should be made Chief of the great De-
partment of Horticulture. The Chamber
of Commerce and Board of Trade down
there have gone back on their indorse-
ment of him."