The morning call., 1893-08-28
j. T. Doyle on the Matter
of Awards
AT THE INTERNATIONAL FAIR
What He Knows of the Jury at Chi
cago-Dispiays No Longer in
Competition.

wines at the Columbian Exposition at Chi
cago, the president of the State Viticut-
ural Commission furnishes the following
for the information of exhibitors:
"On Monday. August 81, as late as 3
P. NJ. was called on by Clarence Wet
more. our viticultural officer, who in
formed me that the authorities of the
Columbian Exposition had decided to ap-
point person from California to be a
member of the jury on wines, and that
Commissioner Priber of the Napa Valley
Wine Company was desirous that, as presi-
dent OF the commission. should nomin ate
Romuaido PachecO. He also mentioned
the maine of Major Rathbone, as suggested
by Mr.. Priber. but whether as a substitute
for Mr.. Pacheco or to act with him. l did
not distinctly understand | told him |
did not consider l had any right so to
nominate, and felt strong objection to
doing so. No such tower had been given
me by the board and did not feel like as
suming it. Mr.. Wetmore pressed Mr..
Prlber's wish, however. on the ground
that when the board was not in sessi on
the presidents authority to act on similar
occasions had been assumed; somebody
had to act on behalf of the commission,
and none SO proper as the president. ETC.
After considerable discussion | told him
that l would not In any event nominate
MIs L dCucCO, l. udu no reason Whatever
70 suppose nlm competent; that as TO
Major Rath bone, he was undoubtedly emi-
nently qualified, and if he would accept
perhaps the goodness of the appointment t
might justify me in nominating, and
agreed to consider the matter and give an
answer.
| sent that evening to Major Rathbone
to INQUIRE whether he would accept and he
called on me next day to make some inqui-
ries about the duties. If he was to be one
Of jury of several to give his Individual
opinion and vote as to The various wines
exhibited, he would, IL nominated. be will
ing to serve, provided he could go to Chi
cago at the required time; but if be was to
be called on TO decide alone on the merits
Of the different wines he must decline, as
he would not take such responsibility.
was unable to eplighten him on the ques-
ton and he left. Meantime, however. the
newspapers announced the appointment of
Mr.. Pacheco as juror on wines from Cali
fOrnla, and, on Comparing dates and hours,
1t became evident that his appointment [
had already been made before DIr. Wet
more came 10 see me to request his nomina-
tlon. / naturally felt that there was some
thing in this out Uf the way. On Wednes-
day, the 23d, l casually met Mr.. Priber and
Commissioner Bundschu at the office of
the commission. Mr.. Wetmore was also
there. and, after stating to all the eircum.
stances substantially as above, | intimated
to Mr.. Priber that | thought an explana-
tion was in order. He recognized this and
stated in substance as follows: That
being In Chicago some five or
from. Commissioner Mcdonald that no
member of the jury on wines would be
appointed from California, because they
had learned officially that the Californ ia
growers preferred TO have their wines
judged by foreigners. This undoubtedly
- ha It
wine-growers held in San Francisco in jan
uary, In which that preference had been
expressed Mr.. Priber in company with
Mr.. Mcdonald had called on Mr.. Thatcher,
who appoints the jurors, whom he had
urged to give California representative
on the wine jury. Mr.. Thatcher had
listened to his argument and told him it
should be considered and that he would
learn the result through the usual chan
nels," which he understood to mean the
newspapers. He then came away. On
Saturday, August 10. he received teie-
gram from Chicago-he was careful to
state and repeat that it was private tele-
graD-intorming him that it had been de-
cided 10 appoint a member of the wine
jury from California; that he read it at
once, 'Tnere're you have a chance to
nominate a Californian" and be accord
ingly by telegraph nominated MIR. Pacheco,
He thought his nomination was made
Sunday or Monday.
/ inquired why he sent to ask me to
make the nomination whereas he had al
ready made it himself. His reply was that
he thought my name might strengthen it.
AS to why he did not think proper to let
me know that such was his object and did
not inform me that ne had already nomi-
mated and wanted me to back him, OBJ
tanned no explanation sufficiently distinct
to be able to recOllect it.
In this explanation two things, l think,
need to be emphasized, viz: First-That
his telegraph from Chicago of August 10
was private one. which to my mind ar
CUES that he had arranged for private in
formation as to Mr.. Thatcher's decision in
advance of the usual channels; and, sec
ond, that he at once read it, There YOU
have chance TO nominate Californian" >"
1t was not chance for California 10 OBJ
tain a juryman; that was already decided
it was his chance to nominate that he
saw. lt was mentioned at this casual
meeting. and / have since learned on nm
doubted authority that the mode of making
awards in Chicago Is to divide the Jury up
and give to each member certain group
uf objects to he examined, and his report
hereon becomes the verdict of the Jury.
unless some other member express dis
Satisfaction, in which case committee of
investigation Is appointed. We also learned
that the examination of the wines is made
with the Ia bells on.
Under this mode of proceeding the course
of awards TOR wine can safely be pre-
dicted. The three jurors from Spain will
Judge the Spanish wines, the Portuguese
German and Italian gentlemen will Judge
those OF their respective countries, and
MIR. Pacheco. as the only one who knows
or cares anything about California wines.
viii naturally be asked to judge them.
He Is probably familiar already with
many brands and will not need to look
further than the labels. In fact his hasty
journey to Chicago (Mr. Priber said he
was TO start Wednesday EVENING" was
quite an unnecessary expense and trouble !:
It wo uld have been kinder to him, and,
imagine, quite as satisfactory to exhibitors
to have him send his report by mail
1t is due To Mr.. Priber TO state that he
discaims all sinister inten ton. and de-
clares that he sees no indelicacy or impro-
priety in his nominating juror to pass on
wines exhibited by himself; no argument
| cOuld make sufficed tn chapoa hiS y;o,re