Turnbull, Thomas

The following data is extracted from David and Margaret Mitchell Genealogy.

In the tenth volume of the U. S. Industrial Commission's Report on Agriculture and Agricultural Labor, beginning at page 967, a lengthy report is given of the testimony of Mr. Thomas Turnbull, who was selected by the California State Board of Trade to represent the State's industrial needs and conditions before the Congressional Industrial Commission.

In the introduction to his testimony, given June 12, 1901, he says

"I have undertaken in the present report to briefly outline the attractions which our State offers to the home seeker, the capitalist, the tiller of the soil, the manufacturer, the miner, the lumberman, in short, to all who wish to engage in this new and promising field of enterprise.

"I shall not attempt to conceal an intense affection for the State of my adoption, but I wish to assure your honorable commission that this partiality shall not tinge the facts which I present: They, at least, shall have the foundation of absolute truth. The love of Californians for their State, which is proverbial, is not devoid of justification. What other country presents such inspiration of love and devotion? In what other country is there broader freedom of thought and action? In what other country are the alluring prophecies which attend young life more certain of fulfillment? In what other country do the higher blessings of peace and plenty minister to the comforts of age? Are there other countries in which honest industry achieves higher respect, or in which labor earns a higher meed of profit and honor?

"Looking backward we see a history founded in the romance of adventure. In the present we are laying the foundations of a noble commonwealth by the establishment of permanent industries. If, therefore, the manifestation of love for our State may sometimes appear boastful or provincial, let it find apology in the consideration that provincialism is an expression of local patriotism, and that with the people of California it is the inspiration of high endeavor, which, when duly chastened, will ripen for our beloved State its growing harvest of hope."

The San Francisco newspapers speak of Mr. Turnbull as being one of the prominent members of the Ohio Society of that city, and an authority on agricultural matters, especially of fruit growing. In the recognition of excellent work done by him in the prosecution of the "Federal Salt Trust," in which he was special agent of the U. S. Department of Justice, a large number of prominent business men of San Francisco and Oakland presented him with a loving cup. The evidence he gathered proved so strong that the government won a notable victory, and as a result the price of salt was reduced several hundred percent from that to which it had been forced up by the Trust.

Source: David and Margaret Mitchell Genealogy

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