The Shasta courier. [volume] (Shasta, Calif.) 1852-1872, 1853-04-23
The Appropriated t. she siskiyou Vel

By referring to the legislative proceedings to be
found ON our first page, it will be seen that the
Senate bill appropriating $685. 900 for the relief
of the Siskiyou Volunteers, has passed the AS
sembly. The justice Of the claim of these noble
men of Siskiyou, who hazarded SO much in de-
Tending the emigrants of last season against the
violence Of the savages on our Northeastern
frontier,is SO manifestly righteous and just that
we were wholly unprepared for any opposition
from respectable quarter. We must therefore
express our astonishment at the following arti-
Gle from the Alta California of the 18th inst:
AN exhibition Of the spirit of economy
which has marked orr Legislature during the
winter was made on Tuesday last in the House.
Two bills granting in the aggregate about $50
600 TO individuals, were forced through The AS
sembly. That one granting Sa7 ,Ooe to William
Waldo tor services rendered to emigraats was
doubtless just enough. He is represented as
having impoverished himself to relieve the des-
titute and it seems but just that the moneys ex-
pended in such cause should be refunded But
the idea OF giving those persons $4,000 who
took notion 10 go on raid among the Indians
up In Siskiyou perfectly absurd If such
claims are to be al lowed, then we may well de-
spair OF ever seeing the State finances improved
We hear every week of expeditions against the
Indians, and if a number OF men who get up
party for recovering stolen horses, or for any
other purpose, are to be paid by the State then
We may look for Indian wars in abundance We
wonder if this act is to be a precedent for future
legislation"
We have no doubt that the 44An as a general
thing, would rather censpre than praise any act
of the Legislature. But we think it rather I'M
generous, III order to abuse that body, to sheer
at number of brave and whole-souled gentle
men, and place them in false position before
their country. The alta clearly has not exam
ined this matter, Notwithstanding it expresses a
most positive opinion relative thereto. Other
wise it would never have written an article so
unjust and inconsistent.
We inform the Alta that those persons "who
took notion to go on raid among the Indians
up i'll Siskiyou," only did so after the people of
that portion Of the State had repeatedly but in
effeclualy called upon the State and Federal
authorities for protection against the Indians,
and after some fifteen twenty men, women
and clillren-emigrants just arriving from the
Plains-had lost their lives at the hands of the
savaSes. 1t was in response to the pi,eous cry
of distress-to save life-that those men in Sis
kiyop left their claims lying idle when they
took notion to go raid among the Indians
UP in Siskiyou." Like William Waldo, they
went out to render service to the emigran.s;
but unlike William Waldo, who only risked his
time and money, they-the men Of Siskiyou-
risked their Hzcs as well as their time and prop
erty. And yet, strange as it may appear, the
Alta is willing that Mr.. Waldo shall be paid, but
protests that it is perfectly absurd" to reim-
burse Capts McDermitt and Wright and their
noble companions! Both parties had the same
object in view-the relief of the distressed Mr.
Waldo spent his money in caring for the sick.
and helping them into the settlements. Capts
Wright and McDermitt not only done this, but
they risked their lives, placed themselves in
position Of extreme danger, hunted and fought
the Indians for days through swamps and over
mountains-and all that our countrymen might
get safely into the settlements with their fami-
lies. Surely these were Services rendered to
emigrants." Why then, while consenting TO
compensate the one, object to deal in like man
ner with the other!