The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-12-07

GEN. RmEY's GOVERNMENT OF CALIFORNIA
Mr.. KINGS MIssIoN-CURIoUs BUsISEss.-There
is every indication that the democrats In eongr.ss
will endeavor to make serious matter of the
manner IN which the administration has supern-
tended the affairs of California, during the recess
IL is charged that General Riley has exercised UNI
constitutional powers, as the temporary Governor
OF the terrtory-that he packed the convention to
form constitution, with Mexicans, in some in
stances, who had not even passed through the
forms OF an election; and that this was done under
Instructions from Washington, with view of
boxing up State government, as to escape
the proviso. 1t is also said that when Mr.
Thomas Butler King shall present himself to
Congress, question of his eligibility to his
seat will be raised, on the ground that while
member elect, he accepted another Office
of trust under the government as a secret
agent to California under pay from the Treasury;
an assumption which, if proved, will rule him out
of the House Before Mr. King is admitted
therefore, 1t is expected that call will be made
upon the President, inquirlng whether the men,
Der In question was sent out in any official capacl
ty, secret agent, or otherwise to California, dur
ing the late recess, and for the nature of his APP
pointment, If any, and his duties and compensa-
lecsolutloHs VI inquiry VIII dlsO DC passed.,
for all the information and official correspondence
between the government and Gen. Riley, as Co
pro tenn. of California; and for information
of the expenses of the several agents and official
attachments, civil and military, overland and by
sea, that have been sent out, and the authority I'M
der which these things were done, unless this IN
formation shall be voluntarily rendered In the re-
port of the Home Department. or in some other of
the secretaries reports to Congress.
No doubt these details will give rise to a great
waste of time, great many long speeches, and
great deal of useless recrim'naton on both sides.
We do not suppose that any very astonishing dis
coveries will be made by the investigation. Mr..
King would hardly be green enough 10 place him.
self in position forfeltng his seat, if he intended
TO return. He probably went out privately to take
the chances Of being returned from California, to
the Senate, with the mileage round Cape Horn
(s75O0)-which Is one of the usually travelled
routes II though, in his mission, he acted as
the agent OF the government, and may have
pocketed a few hundred dollars for carrying
dispatches, or something of that sort, which can
hardly be accounted an Office. With regard TO the
overland expeditions Of Mr.. Collier and others,
Mr.. Ewing has only made the most of them, in
behalf of his fnends-which is a very common
usage-and il he had not practised the same thing
so extensively in other quarters, it would be a
matter of no consequence. Putting the California
business, however, and his whole system of me-
potism, prescriptions, and house rent, together,
1t may effect the abolition of the Home Depart
ment.
With respect TO the unconstitutlcnaty of the
government of California, under Gen. Riley, we
apprehend that but little real complaint can be
made. Congress did nohng-there was no 60
vernment for the territory-and something had to
be done. Upon the whole, think Gen. Riley
has managed very well, and that, if the admins.
tration had done worse in anything else, they
would be IN a much better condition than they
are. In all this California business, therefore,
though We may expect good many curious de-
velopements, it is likely that nothing very mon
srous or outrageous will be disclosed. Necessity
was the authority for some sort of government for
California, and that there was no license from
Congress to do anything, a piece of wanton
neglect on the part OF Congress itself All things
considered, if Congress get on as well with CALI
fornla as Butler King, Gen. Riley, and Commodore !
Jones have done, we shall have a lucky session. |
What will Congress do for California 7 That's /
the question.