The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-07-11

Niebaum, vice-president of the Alaska
Commercial Company; Henry Lund, of
Henry Lund & Co., and Consul for Sweden
and Norway; Captain Charles Goodall, of
Goodall, Perkins d Co., agents of the Pa
cific Coast Steamship Company and the
ocean division of the Union Pacific: Louis
Sloss, of Louis Sloss & Co.; A. B. Forbes,
of the Mutual Life Insurance Company
L. }. Bowen, merchant, and j. II. Hough-
ton.
The meeting which was presided over
by Justice Harrison, president of the
society, was brief but spirited one. Each
of the gentlemen named had something TO
say about what was denounced as a most
unjust removal of an efficient, competent
and conscientious official. The action of
Superintendent Duffield in causing the re-
moval of Professor Davidson was
methods of conducting his office
severely. commented upon. 1t was
stated that the survey, strictly
scientific department, had in the past
been kept clear of politics; that positions
such as that filled by Professor Davidson
were given to men who had made name
in the world of science; but this was the
first time that mere politician" for
such Duffield was declared to be, had been
put over the heads of men who for years
had been retained for their scientific
knowledge and fitness for the places they
filled.
1t was stated that United States Senator
Perkins had announced that he could not
be present, but If present he could not add
anything to what he had already said on
the subject.
The following memorial was then read,
adopted and the secretary instructed to
send a copy to Grover Cleveland President,
Secretary Carlisle, and each of the Cali
fornia delegation to Congress:
SAN FRANCISCO, July 10, 1895.
Among the removals from the United States
Coast and Geodetic Survey just announced is
that OF Professor George Davidson, for many
years in charge OF the survey of the Pacific
Coast.
The Geographical Society of the Pacific de.
sires to enter an emphatic protest against this
removal. Professor Davidson is physically far
more active than his years would lead those
not acquainted with him to suppose. He is
amply able to do duty in the field to-day, and
his long experience, and well-earned reputa-
tion in scientific circles. render his services ex-
Thoroughly familiar with the routine, he is
fully qualified to carry on what yet remains to
be done along this coast.
We consider it a great mistake to remove
him. A man who could devote night after
night 10 taking stellar observations for the
United States Government, in damp observa-
tory from T. NJ. 10 8 OF A. M, keeping this
up for period of sixty or seventy nights con-
secutively, and transact the daily office bust
ness of the survey besides, as the professor has
recently done, can scarcely be called too old
for duty. Many who are twenty wears his
junior could not go through such physical
strain. In reducing the appropriation for his
department, Congress did not mean to dispense
with his services,
AS recognition of his work for the adj
vancement of science, the Royal Geographical
Society of London elected him an honorary
member of their organization. In 1894, the
French Government appointed him a cor
responding member of the Bureau des Longi-
tudes of Paris. This honor has never before
been conferred upon an officer of the United
States Government. In both instances the ac-
ton was a compliment to the American people.
And this society does, therefore, with view
to the benefit OF the public service urge upon
the Senators and Representatives of California
to take such action they may find advisable
to the end that Professor Davidson be restored
to his former position.
RALPH C. HARRISON
President
IRVING NJ SCOTT,
First Vice-President.
CHARLES L. TAYLOR
Second Vice-President.
JOHN PARTRIDGE Secretary.
One significant fact in connection with
the removal of the professor is that the
department over which he presided is now