The herald., 1893-09-06

SOME DisAGRgkABLR FACTS.

One of the most lamentable bungles
that has character zed the Chicago O..
lumbian worlds fair from the California
point of view is the frightful muddle
into which our wine exhibits have been
thrown by the peculiar hocus-pocus OF
one Priber, in this state, and one John
Boyd Thatcher, at Chicago. This latter
unutterable creature. Thatcher, has
evolved from his massively inchoate
brain the delirium bred substitute for
an idea embodied in the notion that q
single judge should render the verdicts in
all competitive contests. The man who
could originate chimers like that
ought to be embalmed in rt!nse material
of some kind-the more refuse the bet
ter. The wine makers in California
find themselves, consequently, in al
appalling plight, through the miserable
intrigues OF one Priber OF this state and
the illimitable idiocy OF the Thatcher
aforesaid. As the case stands the Hon.
Romualdo Pacheco will pass judgment
from which there is no appeal on all the
wines OF the state. AS an agreeable
gentleman and a remarkably lucky
politician few people would be found
to depreciate Mr.. Pacheco. 1t is
q conceded fact. however, that as to
far the greater portion OF his life his
experience has been rather provincial
than otherwise. Without intending to
belittle him, it can surely be safely as
sumed that his opinion on a Californis
wine will have no effect whatsoever in
advancing that particular brand in the
estimation OF bon vivants or conneiss-
eurs of the old world or the new. In
addition, the manner OF his appointment,
indefensible in every way, has led to-
great heart burnings amongst our Cal.
ifornia vignerons. Some of the most
notable OF these gentlemen have simply
withdrawn their exhibits. and they in
clude such men as John 7. Doyle and
matter for great regret. Mr.. Pacheco
nust undoubtedly find himself in a
very embsrrasing position-such as
would lead sensitive man to decline
to accept the ungracious task. In fact,
he would feel great deal more pleas
ant with himself il he were to take this
step, as there is sure, under the circum-
stances, to be great deal of bad blood
following upon his decisions.
Waving all questions OF the circum-
stances OF Mr.. Pacheco's appointment,
or OF his fitness for such purely tech.
nical position, when it came to render
ing judgment on American wines the
jury should have been composed of for
eign experts of distinction. The decision
of experts of approved reputation would
have great weight, and their award
would be respected at home and abroad.
Why is it that we can't do in the
United States things that can be done
80 easily and go gracefully in other
countries? A naturally vivscious and
intelligent people seem to be imbued
with the very genius Of blundering in
many lines. Who would care deuce
aces for the judgment OF Mr.. Pacheco on
California wines? His verdicts will be
minified by the fact that he is Cali
| iOIuidu anu le uOI GULL npctcAL iIulu cA-
perience to give the stamp OF acceptance
to his opinions, and he labors under this
disability both at home and abroad.
Why should not the people of Cali
fornis be in the enjoyment of a great
deal of unmixed pleasure from the par
ticipation of this state in the Colum-
bian worlds fair? And yet, on every
hand, we encounter heart burnings and
recriminations. There has never been
the slightest attempt to give the people
OF this state any idea OF what has be-
come of the large sum of 100000 ap-
propriated by them to add to the
attractions of the grand display. We
are for the thousandth time treated to
the confirmation OF the old adags that
what is everybody's business is nobody g
business. Cross purposes and lack OF
all business methods have CHARACTERIZED
every step of our progress towards pre-
senting the claims of California upon
the attention OF America and tho world
And we shall probably at last have the
consolation of knowing that our splen
did appropriation OF $500, 900 was sim.
| rlv Uhlaup in -