Butte record., 1854-03-04
BUTTE RECORD.
Meeting Chico.

ming, February 18th, 1854, convened for the
purpose Of taking into consideration the pro-
posed election of a L. S Senator by the pres
eni legislature, C. Wheeler, Esq, was called
to the chair. and c. S. Waller appointed Sec
retary. The object Of the meeting was briefly
yet lucidly explained by Maj John Bidwell
after which committee composed of Messrs
Cha's. S Waller, ]. Bidweli and Cha's 5
Wright. who had been appointed at previous
meeting to draft appropriate resolutions ex-
pressive Of the sense Of the people in this Sec
ton, upon this question, reported the follow
ing preamble and resolutions, which being
read and fully discussed, were unniamousyv
adopted. to wit:
Hhereas, 1t is the duty of free people to
be ever 7igilant in requiring a strict observ-
ance Of their rights, to guard with Jealous
care the sacred principles whic form the ba-
sisUf their political organization, and to per-
nit no infringement Of that inalienable SOW
rsignty which is the cherished birthright Of
freedom. And U'hereas, we have watched
with no common interest, the misguided efforts
Of portion Of the present Legislature Of this
state, TO cause an election Of United States
Senator to be held during the present session,
contrary to every precedent in the case, and
in direct violation, as We believe, of the car
dinal principles of our government. To show
our disapprobation Of this course-to condemn
an attempt We can view in no other light than
that Of usurpatiOn, and to elecit a public ex-
preston Of the opinions, as well as the united
action Of our fellow citizens upon this import
ant subject,
Resolred, That in the election Of United
States Senator, the people claim the right to
have the names Of the candidates for that m
portant Office. submitted TO them, that the
respective merits OF the aspirants to their tia-
cor. may be duly canvassed and considered
and that the Representatives Of the people,
whose duty it is to elect Senator, may be
selected and instructed, to execute the will of
iheir constituents.
ResolUed, That in the election Of the mem
bers Of the present legislature, the people
supposed that the rule which has been invari-
ably observed throughout the United States,
in connection with this subject, would have
been respected and adhered to by their Repre-
sentatives. II is. and and has been the uni
versal custom of State Legislatures to elect
United States Senator at the session immedi-
atoly preceding the expiration of term in
that Office. and we hold that any departure
from this estat lished rule. without the prev-
ous knowledge and sanction Of the people, is
direct usurpation Of power, and an infringe
ment upon the rights of the people.
Resoived, That the election Of represent
ative Of the people so far in advance of the
time when he IS required to enter upon the
discharge of his duties, IS clearly inimical to
the spirit Of eur institutions, and the estab-
lished principle Of our goyernment-and in
the event of such an election, we believe that
tie caulilate elect would not be permitted to
take his seat in the Senate Of the L. s.
Besoirsd, That We, as portion Of the peo-
PIE Of this State, hold with supreme contempt
and Indignation, the effort which has been, and
Is now being made in cur legislature, to bring
on this elcction-and that the Representative
who will thus favor legislation. at once pros
pective, and without law or precedent, neg
letting the legitimate and necessary business
Of the session. in anticipation Of labois which
properly belong to future legislature, and
thus consuming the time and money Of the
PEOPLE, while we as a state are deeply en-
thralled by greyious public debt. is nnwor-
thy the confidence and support Of his constit-
uency.
Rsselred, That for the reasons herein as
signed, We DO utterly oppose the election Of
United States Senator during the present ses-
sion of the legislature, and greeting with
Pleasure the action of other portions of the
STATE in relation to this vital question, We
most earnestly hope that the people in every
section and neighborhood. duly impressed with
the Importance Of such action, will raise their
sovereign voice to stay the dastardly hands
that would strike blow 50 fatal to their most
sacred rights.
After the reading. discussion and adoption
Of the foregoing preamble and resolutions, on
motion Of DR.. J. B. Smith, 1t was
RcsOlred, That copies Of the proceedings Of
this meeting be transmitted to the '.Marys-
Vile HeralF' and Butte Record with re-
quest to the respective Editors that they
shnuli puhiiSh tho sarua I'm motion of Col &