Butte record., 1854-02-25
BIpwELL, February 2Sd, 1854.


Legislature.
have Just closed the reading OF the address
of the majority of the democratic members OF
both branches of the legislation Of California,
and purpose to review it in spirit OF can
dor.
You are aware Mr. Editor, tha. am one Of
the oldest democrats in the county, and,
though may not make as much noise as some,
| keep close watch of political movements
and think that | am usually ''posted up on
the main issues before the public
The address commences by assuring us
that they ''oceupy positions which enables"
them s'to discover dangers that sometimes es-
cape' our ''eyes." Now this may be so, but
what are those dangers which their 'posi-
tions'' have enabled them to discover and are
hidden from our eyes. Ali that we find in
their lucid expose, is the ''secret circular" of
the late whig party, which we are assured was
designed ''to rive the democracy in twain and
construct on its ruins q contention tciiS par
ty"
If such was the design of that miserable ab-
ortion, never was there a more signal failure
for it's effect has been to annihilate the whig
party in California But really in reading
this portion of the address, we were reminded
Of an occurrence that we witnessed in 1879
when crossing the plains-it happened in this
wise: just before coming to the Little Blue,
we met a couple of wagons returning. / in
quired of the driver if they had seen the Ele-
phant, he answered, ''no but he had seen y
Bar skin in the road' And seriously. |
am unable to trace any connection between the
''Secret Circular" and the election of a L.
States Senator this winter, and do not think
the writer of the address has paid Il
very high compliment to the intelligence Of
the democracy Of California. If this is all that
their positions have enabled them to dis
cover, fear that the fog of the Bay has OBJ
scured or distorted their visions, and that by
our elevated position in the mountains We see
clearer than they do.
They next attempt fortifcation Of their
cause, by showing that it has been the invari-
able practice in all the States, for the session
of the legislature nert preceding the coui-
menccmeat Of the term of an S. Senator,
to elect the Senator, and contend that this
session of the legislature would be the one. in
accordance with such usage. Now we aver
that it has always been the usage that when
the legislature meets the winter preceding the
vacancy on the fourth of March, they elect
the United States Senator aud the attempt TO
make US believe that the session Of the legis-
lature one year in advance of this time, is the
legislature nert proceeding the commence
n9eRt of such term,'' reminds us Of two boys
Jim and Bill Jim approached Bill with a
new pair of shoes-s'now," says jim. show
many shoes have got: - "Two,'' says Bill
NO. says jim, 81 have three and putting
his finger upon one, lie says, ''that is one.
dint it?' Eyes" ''Well that is two plac-
ing his finger upon the other Yes ''Well,
now two and one makes three
We now come to the question expe1iency in
in the election ola United States Senator this
session. | need not say to you, Mr. E,litor,
that am no ''bolter,' am and have been. a
b,rt I Ill. IL,
mocracy brings every question before the
mass rs far as is possible with the peculiar
formation OF our government. Now the elec-
tion of q United States Senator is not direct
by the popular vote, but through their repre-
sentati YES. But should not the question be
brought as nigh them as possible, and will any
contend that the present legislature was elec-
ted with any reference to that question I'll
aver that the question was not mooted during
the canvass, and are we to be prescribed az
"bolters' because we are unwilling that those
whom we sent to the legislature for other pur-
poses, and to whom We have had no opportu-
nifty of communicating our preference for the
highest office in the gift of the State, should
arrogate to themselves the right to select
without our consent or approval. Out upon
such democracy
Our objection is not so much 20 the time
for as the address well says, California is sit
udtSt AIOu tHe AtEtDtlc states. ana
there may be good reasons for having the elec-
tion of United Senator's in advance of what is
customary in those States
But we object to have this question sprunr
upon us in this claudestine way We clam
the right of canvassing the merits of aspirants
for this high and responsible office. And we
warn those representatives who are disposed
to deprive us Of this privilege, that thev are
throwing q fire brand into the democratic camp
that will do more to distract the party than
all that the ''whig circulars and democratic
bolters could ever do | say this as no empty
defamation. am willing to risk my reputa
tion as a sagacious politician when | assert
that nine tenths of all the democrats good
and true out of San Francisco and Sacra-
mento, are opposed, and that deciqedly. to
the election by this legislature.
1t IS not that we are hostile to Mr. Brode-
rick or have any fixed and decided preference.
but we wish to canvass this question and look
| about US. We claim to have the interest of
our State and of the democracy as much AZ
heart as any of those who signed the address.
we have never faltered-we will pledge our
selves to stand up against all the wiles of our
political opponents and send you clear dem
ocratic legislature next year. But we saw
hands Off gentleman. There has been some
things connected with the urging of this ques-
ton at this time that looks suspicious We do
not say that you are improperly influenced.
and II you are as your address assures us,
really solicitous for the welfare of the demo-
cratic party, you will not, We feel assured.
urge this question at this session If vonr