The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-08-31
The finest fruit earth hold. up to
Its Maker is II finished mum
Humboldt.
THE DEPARTMENT OFF AGRICUL.
'pIiIlE

TCNE.
1t is but little while since affairs
in the State Library were reduced to
order. and now there is a squabble in
the Department of Agriculture and I'M
duced the same sort of friction and
decentralization in that organization. 1t
does not speak well for the public SER
vice of Virginia.
The fact is that the Department OF
Agriculture is badly constructed. 1t
of the Board of Agriculture and Immi-
grafton, whose members are appointed
by the Governor, subject to confrma-
tion by the Senate: but the Commits
sioner of Agriculture, who takes orders
from the board. is elected by the peo-
pointed by the board and others by
the commissioner. 1t would be a won
der If there We're not constant friction
under such an organization.
The Board of Agriculture now pre-.
fers string of charges against the
commissioner. some of which are
trihing; but others are serious. 1t is
very clear that Commissioner Koiner
has made his end of the department
too much of n family affair, but his
appointment of his children to posi-
tons in his office seems to have had
the approval of the board, and 1t is
rather late for the executive committee
to complain of him on that score. But
MIR. koiner was guilty of a gross in
discretion when he accepted the posi-
ton of statistician for the Department
of Agriculture in Washington. This
was q fragrant violation of law, and
while the commissioners may have ac-
cepted the Federal appointment in ig-
norance, 1t was ignorance inexcusable
on the part, OF. a State official. BY this
act he vacated his office: but upon his
assurance that he had telegraphed his
resignation of the Federal position, the
board unanimously elected him to fill
the vacancy.
This delinquency might have been
overlooked. but, says the executive com
pointment as commissioner and resig-
nation as statistician, Mr.. Koiner went
to Washington and had one of his
daughters appointed to the latter posi-
ton"
This" adds the committee, 'as re.
suits proved, was a mere subtcrfuge OF
the commissioner to defeat the plair
intent of the Constitution and to Jug.
gle with the laws of his State. He
continued to do this work himself
and to allow it to be supervised by hi.
immigration clerk, who for two days
as we learn in Washington. received
instructions from a United States agent
sent to the commissioners Office iron
Washington. The statistical work was
done by the direction of Mr.. Koiner
in the department offices in the Capito
Building, by the clerks of the depart.
inent, and in the States time, the work
upon several occasions consuming the
entire forenoon, In order that the re.
port might be sent on the midday trair
to Washington"
Mr.. koiner makes no denial of this
charge except as to the specification
that the work of statlstician was done
in the states time. He Justifes his
act by the statement that his work as
Federal statisticiau has been OF
immense benefit TO him as commits
sioner. There is no doubt that ii
helped his, income, but granting al
other benefits claimed by him, his ac.
ton was objectionable. and deserve.
unqualified condemnation. Mr.. Koiner
aftei due warning. has eyaded a law a
the state which lie is sworn to uphold
and has. To say the least, set a yer,
Bad example TO other State officers.
II distresses us greatly to say this
I for Mr.. Koiner has made useful an,
industrious official, and cur persona
relations with him are friendly and cor
dial
IN conclusion, lei us give a word a
warning 70 the commissioner to tn
BOARD Of Agriculture, and 10 any an,
all employees who may be parties to thi
sqnabble. The Department of Agricul
.ture was instituted for the benefit. o
4 the agricultural interests of this state
and IT must be carried on for tina
interest. There must be no action O,
the part OF any officer or elnploye