The herald., 1893-11-19

last examinations that this particular
orcus chalybeus has proved practically
failure and disappointment.
/ may say the same of the other two
articles, exhibits 5 and 6, which Mr..
Cooper sends, viz, articles from the Los
Angeles HERALD of July 80 and 81, 1893.
They call for little comment from me, as
they are of piece with the vast mass of
such newspaper matter upon this sub
ject which is on file In the division.
Finally, exhibit 7, copy of Mr.. Coop
er's letter to Mr.. Coquillett, refusing the
latter admission to his ranch, which
Mr.. Coquillett had been instructed by
this department to examine, l cannot
too severely condemn. 1t is good liz
lustration OF the petty, narrow and un-
scientific attitude which the officers of
the state board, including its president,
have exhibited in this whole matter-a
position which is puerile, and which has
not only done great injustice to this de-
partment, to myself individually and to
Mr.. Coquillett, but has been the cause
of the strong opposition to the state
board that hae been manifested by a
large part Of the practical fruit growers
which even threatens the existence of
the board, and which, though a
necessary consequence of its own
action, Mr.. Cooper endeavors to aecribe
to my instigation. Mr. Cooper's strong
opposition to this division 10 doubtless
caused by misunderstanding, begun and
fostered by the action of the secretary
of the board of which he is president.
Whether this surmise is correct or not,
he deserves just censure for the methods
employed and the recklessness of his
statements. To show how unwarranted
are the charges. let me cay that, not
withstanding all the provocation from
the published statements and reflections
OF Mr.. Lelong, which have been brougl t
together for your inspection, and which
are 80 numerous that it would be weari-
some to refer to them in detail, and not
withstanding the open reflection and
criticisms of myself and the depart
ment by Mr.. Cooper in bis last presi-
Dental address to the board, have
atudiously and purposely avoided pub
fishing anything in retort. Outside of
the official records in the bulletins and
reports of the department, VI hich have
been considerate statements OF the facts
without personality, / have written
nothing for publication on this second
miseion to Australia nor have INSPIRED
anything for publication. In the way
Of official correspondence which might
be looked upon as for publication, l
have written nothing between the tele-
gram to Mr.. John Scott, already re-
ferred TO-, and a recent reply (within the
past week) to further inquiry from the
same gentleman, calling tor my views
and advice on certain specific questions.
Yet have been repeatedly requested by
reputable editors to make some state
ment OF the position OF the department.
Determined from the first to avoid a
repetition of the controversy which
grew out of the first mission, this has
consistently been my course, though l
felt sure from my knowledge of the men
concerned that the arrangement entered
into by your predecessor against my
Judgment, and that of his acting secre-
tary, would result in lust the kind of
depreciation of the department and at
tempted glorification of the state board,
which have. in fact, resulted.
1t ia to be regretted that the Efforts Of
I good for the people OF California nave
been ensthu5requited, and that Che chief
recompense to myself should be per-
sistent attempt ON the part OF Mr..
Cooper and those associated with him,
to secure my discharge as the entomolo-
gist of the department You know,
Nr. Secretary, that my health has been
such OF late. that, because of the inevit-
able unpleasantness (of which this
action of Mr.. Cooper's is an example)
attendant upon department. life, should
be glad to lay down the responsibilities
of my position, and that have already
expressed my desire, when circumstan-
ces will permit, to do 60. When that
time comes shall have the satisfaction
of feeling that it will not be through
any such efforts as those of Mr.. Cooper,
or of any others who choose, without
cause, to malign, misrepresent and
abuse me personally. e
There is much in Mr.. Cooper's COM
munication which would Justify further
and more severe comment, but l refrain
from mai ing it, both because it is un-
necessary and because my previous re-
lations with Mr.. Cooper have been
pleasant both personally and by CORES
pondence. have. heretofore, never ut
tered, either privately or publicly, an
unkind word in reference to him, and
much regret the necessity of doing so,
which he has now provoked. Ihave the
honor to remain, sir, respectfully yours,
G. V. RILEY, Entomologist.