The San Francisco call., 1899-05-26
AARNEY GASkILL.

Commissioner representing Southern Cali
fornia, announced a few days ago that
he could not leave Los Angeles before
Monday evening next, but when he ascer-
tanned that Commissioners w. w. Foote
of San Francisco and E. w. Runyon or
Red Bluff had resolved to meet on Mon
day the major changed his programme
and gave notice that he would leave the
orange groves on Saturday>to arrive here
on Sunday.
There are two candidates for the posi-
ton of secretary of the commission. One
is Varney Gaskill, formerly of Oakland,
but of late banker of Amador County;
the other is O. A. Stevens, a writer on the
staff of the Los Angeles Herald. Either
one would make a capable and creditable
secretary. Mr. Gaskill will receive the
support of Commissioners Foote and Run
yon and thus secure the prize. Major
Truman may acquiesce and render the
choice unanimous
The fact is well known that Major Tru-
man was in favor of himself for secre-
tary This desire for double honor and
increased emolument in the office-holding
line is in perfect harmony with the poll
tical traditions of Southern California. In
this particular instance Major truman
may have had programme to carry out
whereby friends of certain well-knoWn
politicians could be grated on the COM
mission.
Il
elect Truman secretary calls to mind the
history of the Worlds Fair Commission.
The sum of 900 was appropriated by
the Legislature to assist California III
making a proper display at Chicago.
Counties and local boards also joined IN
the enterprise and the representation or
California was highly 'credtable:
The credit, however, was not wholly due
to the State Commissioners appointed by
Governor Markham. One of the first acts
of the commission was the electlon OF one
hpr
Tulare, to the office of secretary. Thomp-
son proved failure as a Commissioner
and as secretary: In ms capaclty Oh
to perform acts involving the expenditure
of money, and the result was that a1alrs
financial became so muddled that the
board decided to appoint Andrew J. Moul-
der financial secretary in order TO SIM
plify the work of the commission.
One of the first acts of the commission
was to draw from the State treasury the
entire sum of 5000 900 and deposit the same
in two commercial banks; and these
banks had the use of the cash for one
year without paying interest. Mr., Moul-
der figured that interest amounting to
s12, 900 would have accumulated If the
money had been deposited In savings
banks. The Commissioners contended
that the commercial banks accommo-
dated them with exchange without
charge and therefore figured that the ex-
| change accommodation would offset the
| interest. The Commissioners, as well as
! the bankers with whom the state S
men, and there never was any danger
| that the public would sustain loss by
bank failure Yet the. practice of giving
a bank the free use of public money was
not commended by business men, al
| though it was then sanctioned by Irving
I M Scott James d. Phelan and others
| comprising the commission.
No doubt some enterpriSing banker will
| suggest to Commissioners Foote, Runyon
and Truman the advisability of drawing
| from the State treasury the entire sum
| appropriated by the Legislature for the
| Paris Exposition.
1t transpres now since the appointment
! of E. w. Runyon to represent Northern
! California that Governor Gage had on his
| slate the name of General N. p. Chapman.
but the latter was not willing to sacrifice
| a life position as Supreme Court Com
| missioner for the fieetng honors and not
| very tempting emolumentS of the eXposi-
| ton board. Mr.. Runyon, who was in line
for appointment with the rank of colonel
| on the Governors staff, was highly rec
| commended as capable Republican, and
| so obtained the place. If Mr.. Runyon
should make an exceptionally good record
as Commissioner he may be promoted
to the rank of colonel when the exposition
| closes.
When the commission was appointed
| Major Truman was further advanced in
| French than his associates. He had prior
| knowledge that he would be chosen and
| therefore began his studies early, but W.
| and before the exposition opens may sur
| pass the Southern Californian
| Letters which William d. English re-
| ceived from General Thomas j. Clunie in
| Paris have, greatly encouraged Mr.. Foote
to pursue his studies in French. General