Columbia gazette., 1854-01-21

california, and the several points wher'
stationed. This force, as before remark
ed, is entirely inadequate to the protcc
ton of the State. 1t will be seen tha
the whole number of troops of the Uni
ted States, within the limits of thi
State, as reported by the officer il
command, is but six hundred anC
thirty one. To this numerically made
luate force, is entrusted the protec.
ton Of a frontier State, more than si1
hundred miles in length, about two hun
dred in width, with tribes of Indians
many of whom are hostile, along the
whole extent Of the eastern boundary, a:
we'll as in the extreme north and south
With view to induce the government
10 augment the military force on this
coast, permit NE to suggest the proprie-
ty Of the Legislature memorlalzing Con-
gress to authorize two additional regi,
ments to be organized for service in Cal
iforn;a.
la this connection, permit NE also
respectfully to suggest, that in such form
as you may deem proper, it is your du-
ty to invite the attention OF Congress to
the present exposed condition of our ex-
tended sea-board, and to inv oke them to
provide as speedily as possible, the for
tifications necessary to render perfectly
secure, against hostile attack, the com
mercial emporiums Of the State. At
present they are in such an exposed con-
dition, that if assailed by hostile feet,
it would be almost impossible to prevent
their entire destruction The subject is
one OF such immense Importance to our
people and our commerce, that it need
only be mentioned, it is presumed, to
induce OF your part the action necessa-
~ to secure its presentation in proper
form, for the consideration of the Gen
eral Government.
The act entitled can Act concerning
Roads and Highways" approved April
H., 1880, it is generally maintained, re-
quires important amendments. At the
time Of Its passage, the country was
open; few enclosures had been made,
and the provisions of the act, perhaps
fully adequate to the wants of the State.
But since that time, great changes have
been effected,-the land in many coun-
ties is 50 generally fenced in or ditched
that travel is rendered difficult, and the
distance between points greatly increas-
ed by the circuitous route necessarily
travelled to avoid enclosures.
All necessary thoroughfares should
be, not only as direct as the face of the
country will admit, but we'll defined by
competent authority. 1t is true, that
private property cannot be applied to
pIblic use, without adequate compensa-
ton therefor; but where it is absolutely
necessary tor the public convenience, it
can be appraised by commissioners, and
its actual value paid. While no man
can be divcsted of his property without
an equivalent, private rights must yield
to the public good In some sections of
the State the want Of well-defned high
ways has been the source of much in
convenience to the public; and the evil
will increase unit! remcdied by proper
legislation. The subject is worthy oc
careful examination, and l hope will, at
an early day, receive the attention it
merits.
The Act entitled Gan Act to provide
for the Public Printing" approved
April 29th 1852, authorized the Cover
nor and Comptroller, "to receive propos-
ais, and enter into a contract with the
persons proposing to do the work
at the lowest and most advantage
Gus terms to the State" After having
given the notice required by law, on the
designated day, the two bids received
were opened and compared, and the
contract awarded to the lowest bidder.
Notwithstanding the work was award
ed, as required by law, to the lowest
bidder, and the accounts rendered and
settled, in strict conformity with the
rates stipulated in the contract, the pub
lc printing is understood to have cost
more in the aggregate than it would
have done if executed at the prices fix
ed in a bill, which passed the Assembly
during the same session, and for which
the existing act was substituted in the
Senate.
The contract system, would here
state, after having been fully and fairly
tested, has. been abandoned by most Of
the States, as well as by the National
Government.
In order to remove just cause of COM
plant, and secure the prompt execution
OF the public printing on the most ia
vorable terms possible, I would respect
fully recommend the passage of an act
creating the Office of State Printer, and
authorising the election of that officer
by the Legislature.
Let the same act, also establish fair
and reasonable prices for the different