The weekly Placer herald., 1854-02-11
Meeting Of the Members Of the
Legislature 0ppOs d to the Se-
material EI Ctisw.
BENIclA, February 8. 1854.

| Senator this winter, held a meeting in the
Senate chamber, for the purpose of adopt
| ing an address 10 their constituents, de
fining their position upon the question:
On motion of Mr.. Crenshaw, Mr. Gardner
of the Senate, was called to the Chair;
and on motion of Mr. Bradford, Mr..
MrGee, of the Assembly was appointed
ecrctary.
Mr. Gardner on taking the chair, ex
planned the object of the a>senblage The
Democratic press had been called upon
to sustain the action of the cauruS-a
means adopted for the purpose of forcing
large proportion of the Democratic
members into the support of Il measure
to which they are opposed on principle;
and they had theref re met for the pur-
pose of freely interchanging their views,
and laying them before their constituents.
Col. Watkins briefly addressed the
meeting, showing most forcihy the anti
democratic tendency Of the movement of
the caucuSites. In this movement he be
leved the most sacred principles Of De-
morracy had been assailed. "For these"
said he, 81 am bound to fight, because |
believe the Lo Il God Almighty fashioned
me for Democrat, and will llnot cheat my
destiny" This sentiment was received
with great applause; and when 1t had sub
sided, at the request of the meeting, he
presented an address which had been pre-
pared hy committee previously appOnt-
Ell at an informal meeting.
l he address is a dorument Of some
length, but is written with great force,
perSplcnlty and dignity, and is powe fnl
vIndlcatIon of the position OF those who
refuse 10 90 nto caucus
Mir. Gordon made some very severe
and animated remarks in support of the
address; after which it WIS unanimously
adopted. 4 resolution was then adopted,
requesting democratic members of he
Legis hture opposed to the di>franchise
ment of the people of California, to sign
the address
Col. Watkins was requested to attach
his name first and Col. Stpinmons, who
followed, remarked that in signing, he
experienced the same feeling which is
supposed to have animated the >ignerS of
the Declaration of Independence, when
they attached their names to that docu-
inent.
On motion of Nr. WaIkup, it was or
dered that five hundred copies to each
name attached to the address, (or about
20,O00) he printed
1 he effect of the address was immedi-
ate and decided 1t In~pired renewed con,
fl ienre among those who had participated
III It's adoption, and evidently orrasioned
some alarm III the opposite ranks. The
result of the Senatorial question. however,
remains in douht-earh party being con
tident of >ucres~.--S +. Herald Cor.
Ri oed to- the Pec;Gc.
Remarks Of Nh G,ctn, IN The Senate,
January 4, 1854, on the Pacific Raj
road BiU
On motion by Mr.. Chase, the Senate
resumed the consideration Of the follow
ing resolution, submitted by him on the
l4th utImo:
"Res0iued. That the committee on Roads
and Canals he instructed to inquire into
the eXpedlency of providing for the con
struction OF IA railroad from SON, point
on the western line of one of the existing
States to some point on the eastern line
Of Ca itorna."
Mr.. Gwin. | move to strike ont the
whole of the resolution from the word
re<n ved and insert the following:
That so much of the Presidents mes
sage and accompanying documents aS re
fer to the subj ert Of nationa railroad
from the Mississippi valley to the Pacific
ocean, together " ith all the bills pertain
ing to the same that have or may he pre-
scented to the Senate, be referred to a
Se.prt committee of - members.
The propriety of'this retrrenre must be
apparent To every member of the Senate.
1he subject embraces so many important
objects of II national character, that it
cannot he elnbracted egitiuately within
the sphere OF duty of any one Of our
standing mittees.
The bill offered by the Senator from
New York, Mr.. Seward n few days
ago, and referred to the Committee On
Post Offires and Post Roads, proposed
to build road through the territories
of the United States, from the western
border of some State west Of the NJ iSSsip
pi river to the eastern boundary of the
>tate of California, for military and pos
tai purposes. Nhy was it referred to
the Com,nittee on Post Offi'es aud Post
Roahs in preference to the Committee on
>iltary Aff,irs both committees having
an equal right to claim the Jurisdiction OF
the biIl?
The bill further proposes to contribute
from the National Treasury portion Of
the means required to build the road-a
subject which properly 'elongs to the
l