In the stress and hurry of Californian life, impressions pass swiftly away. It may be that another shock is in store for the Golden State, more violent than the last, although equally within legal limits, for of mere mob law and anarchy there seems no danger. The forces at the disposal of order are always the stronger. It may on the other hand be that as society settles down from the feverish instability of these early days, as the mass of the people acquire a more enlightened view of their true interests, as those moral influences which count for so much in America assert their dominion more widely, the present evils will slowly pass away. Probably he is right.
American experience shows that the optimists generally are.
I. A main object was to prevent the corruption of the legislature and of office- holders. 35 provides that a legislator influenced in his vote by reward or promise of reward is to be deemed guilty of felony, and punished accordingly, as well as disfranchised and disqualified from ever holding any office. Official salaries are limited. These restrictions on the legislature were probably necessary. Similar ones are to be found in nearly all the newer State Constitutions.