Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1853-03-09
VOL. 11.---NO. 40
From the Alta California, Jan. Is
Later from California; News for
tlae Fortnight.

the Fortnight.
Since the sailing Of the steamers Of the lst
inst, the state has furnished but few topics Of
discussion or utCrcs' and the consequent sus.
pension of business Of all kinds. the scarcity
of provisions, the suffering and embarrass
ment.
The Legislature met on The Sd inst, but up
to the present time have done nothing Of mo-
ment. The executive message and accompa-
nying documents have been referred to com
mi,tees. but whether the important questions
brought before the two houses will receive
further consideration, or be allowed 20 sleep
out the session in committee rooms, remains to
seen. 1t is probable. however, ,ha, after the
final settlement of the capital controversy,
they will 60 to work and do something
The old project of calling a constitutional
convention is occc more OH the taps. The os-
icnsJle object, as set forth by the executive
in his message, is to abolish certain Offices
created by the constitution; but the real end
is the abroga,ion of the anti slavery clause and
the division Of the State. The first, if it aims
at the accomplishment of any definite object
"A scheme which all men whose intellects are
not cloudcd by prejudice know to be the vii.
dest and most chimerica that was ever enter
tanned by intelligent men, As for the dvis.
ion of the State after more than n years invcs.
legation. We can discover 10 plausible reason
for it, The advocates of the measure have
never yet shown what was to be gained by it,.
in political or financial point Of view. But
the business of the season will turn upon tho
constitutional convention, which will most
probably be called. The intended changes.
however, will not be effected when it IL called.
We have dates from Nevada up to the 10Th
inst With but an interval of one or two
days in the past week, the remarkable and
org continued storm IL undated Tie air
however, is milder and the clouds fall in rain
instead Of snow. Business in general ut No
vada is s,agnant for The want of the necessary
supplies from the valley, and mining opera
tons appeared to be rs gloomy as the wealth
er Prices still remain high and the stock of
flour is almos, entirely exhausted The com
muncaion between Nevada and Sacramento
has been cut off for several weeks, and the few
goods received at the former place arrive by
pack trains from Eliza and Marysville.
Further meetings Of the miners suffering un-
der the scarcity of -four have been held in tho
various mining districts, and committees spc.
caly deputcd to proceed to this city, to ascr.
tain and identify for future action. on the part
of the miners,th parties who are alleged to be
concerned in the flour monopoly.
/
1t rs a mntter o; regret that this subject
should have been so studiously misrepresen,ed
rs it has been by designing parties in this city,
There are thousands of miners and others i'm
the interior who believe that the prevailing
scarcity Of provisions is really the result Of
monopoly in San Francisco II has excited
the passions of men, as we see, directed their
attention to- tie abatement Of an imaginary
evil, and prevented them from seeking the
natural aud proper remedy for public calam.
ity-a remedy that would have presented itself
to their minds if the truth had been LAID be.
fore them, instead Of interested misreprosen,a.
tion.
Nevada county has taken the initiative step
towards pcrf"cting the quartz mining laws of
The State, by adopting a code which, for
simplicity, combined with practical utility, is
well worthy the attention of other mining
counties of the State, securing, as it does per
manent and lasting rights in the tenure Of
mining property Of this nature that can only be
subject to the future action of Congress. Tho
custom termed jumping" is altogether abro.
gated, uuder certain improved regulations,
and capital can now, by observing the new
code of laws, be invested with the utmost safe
ty. Let other counties in this department en-.
uate the example Of Nevada county in this
respect, preparatory 10 the State Convention
proposed to be held in May next. The Grass
Valley district, with its countless ''leads" and
companies. it appears held meeting, at which
the proceedings Of the County Convention at
Nevada were unanimously ratified
The proposed Miners Convention is engag-
ing the earnest consideration of the people
throughout the State. and discussion is bring
ing about degree Of defiuiteness and tanei.
bility in its purposes. 1t will be a very impor-
tant body when it comes together, and will
leave permanent impress upon every interest
of the commonwealth
Our latest intelligence from the southern
mines represent great improvement in the
weather and the winds. The extreme strin.
gency in the provision market is relaxing as
supplies come in, and there is every prospect
that the end of the next fortnight will find the
mining population prosperous and happy.
Mr.. Beale, Indian agent,was at last accounts
in the Tulare country. where he had been
mos, successful in his negotiations with the
Indians. He has restored peace and satisfac:
ion to the savages, who seem willing to work
for their own support, now that they see they
are compelledt to do so.
We have dates from Oregon to the 7lh inst.
but no news of consequence. The affairs of
the territory remain in quiescent state The
winter there, as here. has been very severe.
The long immunity enjoyed from disaster
by steam on this coast, was broken in upon on
the 9th by collision between the j. Bragdon
and Camanche, in which the latter was sunk,
and ten lives lost.