The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-09-05

assembling constitutional convention. and II not
unreasonably delayed, would perhaps be desira.
bic; but such authority is not necessary, as the
practice or the Government has clearly demon.
Srated. III u was now question. however OF
the hrst impression and were without preceden,
to guide us for one should maiutain that the
preliminary action Of Congress would be more
regular and more conformable to the dignity and
Importance Of the subject. Such preliminary ao,
ton would be viewed as an invitation 10 the PEG.
pie OF the Territory to come forward and form d
state Government, and take their position as a
member OF the Federal Union, which could not
fail Of being highly appreciated by those to whom
it would be addressed But, sir. [ am not at lib
erty to view it in that light, and interpose this
objection IL is enough for me that the question
has been settled by competent authority | stand
by the decision scQuiesce in the former usage
Of the Government
} D"' ~ eiO SOEA EsEpSrotIvu prrccovnNs me- NV
worthy oil much respect and may be disregarded
may be true in some cases IL depends much ND
on the character Of the Legislators and the infiu-
ences which surround them. If they are wise,
upright, and honest men, possessing q char aeter
for purity and integrity, like those in the Con-
gress Of 1901, of 1892, and 1896, that elevates
them above corrupting influences and the suspi-
cion OF selfish and impure motives, we bow with
respectful Difference TO their decisions as we do
to those Of respectable judicial tribunals. OBJ
Jectlons, however, TO following legislative prece-
dents in the present instance, come with an
exceedingly i'll grace from those who aided in
establishing them, and by whose votes and other
official acts they have frequently been sanctioned
There is another reason, independent of those
already advanced, justifying the course of Cali
4 = a. L.. L.. 4
gress at its last session, in fulflment of solemn
treaty obligations, to provide a Government for
her The Territory was left without any legal
protection, except that Of mere military Gov
eminent. Her condition was peculiar one. The
wealth OF the country was beyond computation
and the published accounts Of it struck the world
with amazement. Her mountains, lifting their
r.. >ssskies, were filled Why u rypsaons
metals, and her rivers literally and without fig
ure Of speech rolled over golden sands to the
ocean, 9s&s 7crc1Stiia1> A7th - - SD ls0S,
was rapidly increasing, and impelled by neces-
sity that almost forbid waiting TO look up prece-
dents, the people proceeded at once, and very
wisely, in my judgment, TO form State Govern
ment. The Constitution is before us, and it evil
dences degree Of craftsmanship, and is imbued
with spirit Of devotion to republican liberty,
that would be credtabe to the oldest State in this
union. With all the earpestness with which
am able to give utterance to the feelings and
wishes Of my heart, for one bid our young sis
ter on the Pacific coast hearty and cordial well
come to the family circle.
But another objection is urged, and that is, the
want of sufficient population; and this is as friv-
olous as the one already considered. 1t is impos-
sible, of course, to state definitely, and with en-.
tire accuracy, the number of inhabitants in Cali.
fornia when the constitutional convention assem-
bled. We do know, however, the number of
votes cast at the recent election and from them
the number Of inhabitants may be estimated with
sufficient certainty for all practical purposes On
the first of January last the population, it is be-
lieved, exceeded one hundred thousand, and at
the present time il is probably more than one
hundred and fifty thousand.
The popular vote on the adoption of the Con-
stitution was ~ 81 and at the election Of Gov
ernor, 4,2l3-a larger vote than has ever been
given by any Of the new States at the time Of ad.
mission into the Union with single exception,
the State of Wisconsin, as facts will show
Louisiana was admitted into the Union in 1912,
and the FIRST popular vote given was i,74s. In
diana was admitted in 1916, and the same year
/ Elve o, ioy yUves Niseiso,pr; vas adnaitioai in
1917, and Illinois in 1918, and four years after
wards the former gave only s,075 votes, and the
latter 1855. Arkansas and Michigan were ad
mitted In 1886, and at the Presidential election Of
that year the former gave 1888 votes, and tn,
latter II 800 Under the fourth census of 1920
the ratio of representation was $4,000; under thu
fth $1,000; and under the sixth and present II Il
| 706S0. IL remains TO be seen what il will be
under the one which il about 70 10 taken Siucs
the present ratio Of representation established
| Florida and Iowa have been admitted, the former
in 1916, and the latter in 1916. At the first cleo
ton afterwards, Florida gave 1901 votes, and
Iowa 1921 votes; and at this election, with less
popular vote than California has exhibited, Iowa
elected two members TO this House, and they
were both admitted to seats without opposition
Wisconsin was also admitted In ls4s, and with
popular vote Of ~, 500 at the first election under
her Constitution; she il now represented on this
floor by three members.
But If this objection is not available, another is
offered to supply its place The State, we are
told is too large, and its limits ought to be dmn.
ished. The memorial of the Senator'S and Repre-
sentatves elect from California places this matter
in Its true light. give extract from that docu.
mentI
COLLECTIONS have been urged against the bound.
aries of California, rs fixed by her Constitution
The convention which settled upon the existing
boundary was engaged during three days in de-
bate upon that subject. There were two parties or
rather two propositions /. To take In the whole
Of California as it existed when q department of
the State Legislature might limit the bounds of the
State to the summit Of the Sierra Nevada, and
leaving 1t to Congress to establish Territorial
Governments over such portions Of the country as
il might see 6t. .. To divide the whole territory
on the | 10th degree of west longitude from south.
ern boundary Of Oregon to the northern boundary
of Mexico, that portion of said territory lying
west of said 10th degree Of west longitude, and
between that line and the Pacific ocean, TO consti-
tute the State of California. The opinion of the
convention was 80 nearly divided between these
two propositions, that both were supported by
majority at different times during the informal
stages and on the final passage, the present
boundary was adopted as a species Of oompro-
mise.
"This question called out the most vehement
and angry debate which was Witnessed duribg the
sitting Of the convention. The project Of fixing
the southern boundary Of the State on the parallel
Of $50 30i was never entertained by that body
Indeed when it IL Yecollected that eleven Of the
Delegates sitting in the Convention represented
q large constituency south Of that line, IL IL at
once apparent that II would have been most un-
just and discourteous act TO have listened to such
n proposition, unless II came from them. The
people Of the southern portion of California most
certainly did not wish, and probably never would
consent to, such a separation. In former years
they constituted the great majority Of the populs-
tion; they havealways been governed by the same
laws and they would be the last TO sanction n d.
vision Of California, a. they have always known
it, la political point Of view, too, IL would seem
desirable that these original Mexican citizens
should become, as speedily ~ possible, Americans
10 sentiment and language; and there certainly
can be no more efectual mode Of accomplishing
this, than by bringing them into that daily con,
tact which an existence under the same laws and
the same social, political, and commercial reguls
tons must inevitably produce In the extreme
North, also, the adventurous miners had crossed
the coast range and penetrated to the headwaterso
the Trinity river, which finds Its way through an