Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1849-06-28
Excitement in San Francisco.

INC Leq1SQtlce HSSeWOtY--lHe dlC0!Ie-IRe MUfdTy
and the de facto Government.
= Since writing the above, we have re-
ceived the Alta California Of March GOTH
BY the paper we learn there has been a
great excitement in San Francisco, caused
by disagreement between the civil and
military authorities. The following ex-
PLANTATION of the affair we take from the
Alta California: .....-.
Our town has been convulsed within
the last week with the intelligence that
the military had arrayed itself against the
people, and tina, the commanding officer of
the Pacific Division had, in effect, pro-
nounced the action Of the Legislative As
sembly for this district null and void.
On the hosting Of the American flag iii
this place in July 1916, the American for
ces found here an Alcalde, who had pow
err corresponding TO that Gas near as we
have ascertained) ola police magistrate in
the United States, who was authorized to
sell one town lot Of fifty varas squares to
any individual who would bind himself to
fence it and erect building upon it with
in one year, who had the control of the
public funds, and who collected and en-
pended the revenue. This state of affairs
was continued blythe American authorities
until August of lS47, when Governor
Mason authorized the election of six cit
liens TO constitute a town council. The
Alcalde sat with them as president of the
board, and had a casting vote. This body
continued in existence until the 3lst OF
December, lS4S, when il expired by linn
itation. They passed law authorizing a
new election on the 9th of December, for
new council to succeed them, this cleo
ton was duly held but majority of the
old council were not satisfied with the re-
suit, and declared the election nusatory,
because fraudulent votes were polled
thereat, and ordered new one. Four
filths of the citizens thought that this was
an understandable assumption Of power on
the part Of the old town council, and they
would not attend a new election. An e.
lection was held, however, by the faction
lists, and we then had the spectacle of three
town councils in existence ut one and the
same time. The old council finally voted
itself out Of existence on the 10Th of Jam
uary, lS49, and the other two kept up a
cross fire Of counter enactments for
few weeks longer. The minority town
council finally thought il necessary TO cor
rect the abuses of the Alcalde's office but
no sooner did they venture on this forbid
den ground, than chairman Of one oftheir
committees was arrested by the Alcalde,
and would have been imprisone had not
the citizens interfered and rescued him
from the sheriff. During all this time the
office Of AlcalGe had been serious evil
to the people Of this town and district, by
reason of It's assumptions and tyranny and
fraud, and within the last few months, the
Alcalde had been twice invited to resign
by the citizens. Despairing of ever being
able to establish public justice on a prop
er basis SO long as the people were at the
mercy Of this officer, convention of the
people of this district was then called, al
which it was resolved to cleo: a Legisla-
tive Assembly of fifteen members, who
should have power TO make such laws as
might be deemed necessary, provided they
did not conflict with the constitutions of the
INV" Stu'CSs iicI tifC COHttDUl law tHecP-
of. This Legislative body was to exist
for one year, unless sooner superseded by
authority.
1t was fondly hoped by the well dispos-
ed citizens Of San Francisco, that the es-
Enlistment of. this Legislature, and the
election of three Justices of the peace,
would give new impetus to the prosper
ity of the place and elevate its character
abroad.
1t was well known that the Alcalde, in
defiance of law and Justice had been in the
habit of selling town lots, and other prop |
erty of the town, and that the proceeds of
such sales had been for long time unac- |
counted for. The Legislature, DESTROYS
10 secure such property TO the benefit of
The public, passed law forbidding such
sale, or any other disposition of public
property, and making the offence punisha-
bic by fine and Imprisonment. Ii was al
50 charged, and not doubted, that the pub
lie records were mutilated, that the public
funds were squandered and not accounted
Tor, and that the administration of Justice
was mere nockery, Cor rather an out
rageous wrong, as practiced by the Alcal-
lie, } and the Legislative body, to correct
hese abuses, and inasnuch as the people
had elected the justices OF the peace, fixed
4 day upon which the office of Alcalde
should cease, and ordered him to hand
over his books and papers to Myron Nor
on, newly elected Justice. Upon this
Mr Norton addressed the Alcalde the fol-
owing note:
SAN FRaNc1sco, March 26, 40.
by an act Of the Legislative As
'embly of the District of San Francisco.
passed March %, ls49, Ga true copy
herewith enclose you,) l am
authorized to receive, and you are author
zed to deliver TO me, all books, records,
papers and documents whatsoever relating
o your Office, and belonging to the town
md district Of San Francisco, in your pos
session. | therefore respectfully request
hat you will appoint time and place
when and where you will be prepared to
make such delivery, and will wait upon
'on to receive them. I would res pectiul-
y suggest that you name as early a day
IS practicable.
Very respectfully,
Your ob't servant,
n