The record-union., 1898-12-29
STORY OF A DOUBLE CROSS.
SUPERINTENDENT MEREDITH
THE VICTIM.
Some Interesting Gossip Whispered
About in State Capitol
Circles.

There is a story floating about the
Capitol building which, though told IN
whispers, is frequently heard under the
shadow of the dome. It has to do
with the inside history of a recent ap-
pointment, of alleged promises-sec-
ond-hand ones, it is true-and or al
legged failure to keep the same. 1t Is
q story of shattered aspirations and
Dead Sea apples. and as whispered
among those who ought to know
whereof they speak, is rather interest
ing.
The story, as told in the corridors,
goes back to the date Of the Repuo-
1ican State Convention held in this
city last summer. Samuel T. Black,
at that time Superintendent of Public
Instruction, was a candidate for re-
nomination, but from some inscrutable
turn of the political wheel was turned
down and the name Of Thomas J. Kirk
was placed on the ticket.
1t is asserted that Mr.. Black felt sore
against the party that turned him
down." and that his friends carried the
news to Governor Budd, dwelling on
their statement, and intimating that
Black, if given proper recognition,
might be a power behind the Demo-
cratic throne which was tottering to
its fall
The story as told in the corridors is
to the effect that the Governor perked
up his ears and listened to the coun-
sells of Mr.. Blacks friends, who in
simulated, it is said, that if he were
made President of the new San Diego
Normal School, he would resign his
Office Of Superintendent of Public In
struction, and make room for an ap-
pOintee of the Governor.
1t is also asserted that the friends
of Mr.. Black intimated that were he
appointed to the Presidency of the
school, the second position, that of Pro-
fessor of Mathematics, would be open
to any person the Governor might see
tit to name.
The story told is to the effect that
the Governor fell in with the PROPOSE
ton, as he desired to see his friend,
Charles T. Meredith installed as Super
intendent of Public instruction, and
subsequently as Professor of Mathe-
matics in the San Diego State Normal
School, and that a tacit agreement was
entered into by which the plan should
be carried out.
On September 18th last a meeting of
the Presidents of State Normal Schools,
of which the Governor is Chairman
and ex-officio member, was held in the
Governors Office, and after some pre-
liminary skirmishing Mr.. Black was
elected President of the new school
over MIR. Meredith, after which Gov
ernOr Budd handed out few bouquets.
tendent Of Public Instruction the State
ever had.
A few days afterward Mr.. Black re-
signed his office of Superintendent, and
qualified as President of the San Diego
State Normal School, and Mr.. Mere
dith was duly installed as Superintend-
ent Of Public instruction.
Everything, according to the stories
told, went smoothly until on a day less
than a month ago a rumor came to
this city that President Black of the
San Diego State Normal School had
appointed a Professor to fill the chair
of mathematics, and that his name
was not Meredith. The rumor grew,
and was finally confirmed, but Super
intendent Of Public instruction Mere
dith While he may have done some
sanctum, presented a placid exterior,
and is reported to have expressed the
hope that matters would yet be
Strengthened out, and the appointment
of a Professor of Mathematics was
only temporary.
And so a sort of volcanic quiet was
established, but underneath it all Gov
ernor Budd, who may and who may
not have thought that the alleged tacit
agreement with Mr.. Blacks friends
was. about as lottery as his tenure of
office, commenced to act.
So on December 10th. the Governor
appointed r. M. Powers and Isadore
B. Dockweiler Trustees of the San
Diego State Normal School, vice John
9. Fisher, whose term had expired, and
Charles T. Kinds, who had resigned
The other two Trustees were w. r.
Guy, Republican, and Thomas o. To-
land, Democrat, and with Toland
Dockweiler and Powers, the Governor s
party would have a majority of the
Board of Trustees, CHASING Messrs
Guy and Black in the opposition.
But, the story goes, the play made
no difference with President Black and
his arrangements, and it is further said
that superintendent of Public Instruc-
tion Meredith has given up hope OF
occupying the chair of Professor of
Mathematics in the San Diego State
Normal School at present. 1t is whis-
pered that if the Trustees of the insti-
tuition attempted to make it too hot
for President Black they miserably
failed, and that Governor Budd and
superintendent of Public Instruction
Meredith were left out in the cold.
And the foregoing is the story which
one may hear any fine day under the
shadow of the dome.