The Empire County argus., 1854-01-28
LEGISLATURE.
BENIcIA, Thursday, January 70, 1851.


bribery case. He says that while on board the
steamer Senator, on the 7th inst, he was introduced
to j. &. Palmer, of the firm of Palmer, Cook Co.,
who, in course of conversation offered to count him
down $4,000 to vote for bringing on the Senatorial
election, and to use his influence with his room
mate, Col. May. Palmer added after he (Peck) in
dignanty refused the Offer that he did not wish Mr.
Broderlck to know of this offer.
Mr.. Fuller offered resolution providing for the
appointment of committee of three to investigate
the charge made by Senator Peck
MIR, Mahoncy amended by increasing the num-
Der to five.
In the course of the debate, Mr. Peck stated that
one reason for not bringing the matter before the
Senate sooner that he expected that some SEN
ator would have called the matter up and have
given him an opportunity to make his statement
Another was that he had been intmidatcd by Sem
ators telling him that if he did not make an accu-
rate statement these parties would suborn witness
scs to blast his reputation.
MIR. Mahoncy called for the names of these SEN
ators.
MIR. Coffroth rose to explain his position. stating
that he had advised Mr.. Peck as friend and not
with any intention of intimidation.
Mr.. flager offered as substitute that the inves-
tigation be conducted in open Senate which was
adopted.
1t was amended by naming Tuesday next as the
day for commencing the investigation, and that it
be continued from day to day till disposed Of
Another amendment was adopted providing that
MIR. Palmer be notified of the charge made and of
the action taken by the Senate. Also allowing him
the privilege of appearing with counsel on the floor
OF the Senate and lnstructng the Sergeant-at-Arms
to subpoena al witnesses that may be necessary.
The Judiciary Committee reported back the bill
for an act to repeal act to provide for the better
publication OF legal notices, recommending its pas
sage.
Mr.. Bryan offered the following resolution:
Res0lrd (thc Assembly. .concurring,) That the
Secretary of State be instructed to receive from the
hands Of the publishers of the codifed laws the
whole number of copies called for by the contract
In connection with this resolution, q communica-
tion received from the Secretary of State, sta
ting that 600 copies of these laws had been rendered
to him. and that he was informed that several hum
dred more would be ready in few days; that the
contract had not been complied with, and he wanted
instructions to whether he should receive then,
or not referred to the Judiciary Committee with
instructions.
| The Senate adjourned.
! House. Message from the Senate concurring r
Assembly resolution asking the opinion Of the At
orney General with reference to the legality of the
present mode of locating school warrants
MIR. ConneSs presented certain papers relating tC
the perjury case of Timothy Donovan. and asked
that they might be referred to the Judiciary Com
mittee referred.
Mr.. Bradford from the Committee on Public
Lands reported back Assembly joint resolution No
%, relating to the abolition of the Board of U. S
Land Commissioners without amendment.
MIR. Ashly moved that 240 copies be printed
Mr.. Griffith thought it desirable to have the reso-
luton adopted and sent on at once; there was NJ
time to be lost. The resolution had been published
he had seen it in the newspapers, and other mem
bers ght have read it in these sources also
Mr. Ashley did not feel bound to search in the
! Oublic for tho buSipacs of t,ic
1t might be correct when found, or it might not
At any rate he not willing to be governed by it
| Mr. Bradford thought there was plenty of time
to have the resolution printed before the sailing of
the next steamer
MIR. CONFESS could see no use for printing, and
| opposed the motion.
! Mr. Griffith contended that the S. Board of
Land Commissioners had failed in its purposes. He
believed that not only the rights of settlers, but OF
claimants, would be better protected by its discon-
tinuance The Board did not carry out the high
prestige that belonged to the United States Courts
and as Il bill about to be introduced into Con-
grcss to extend the time of the Commission, he de-
sired action on the resolution at once
The vote was taken on the motion to print, and
lost.
The question recurring on the adoption of the
resolution, the yeas and nays were demanded, and
being taken, resulted ayes So, nays Sc.
MIR. Conness gave notice that he would to-mor-
row move Il reconsideration.
A bill was presented by the Judiciary Committee
to repeal the Legal Notice (Stamp) Act (amended
by Mr. Myers to relieve the Secretary of State
and respective county clerks from preserving the
papers containing the legal notices y read second
time.
On motion, tie bill was considered engrosscd and
passed unanimously.
Mr. Green, from the special committee on codiied
statutes reported that only 25 out of 1900 copies
had been delivered and that a want of classica-
ton was discovered in the work He asked that the
committee might be discharged, and on motion, the
committee was so discharged from the further con-
sderation of the subject. The report was accepted
and laid on the table.
Mr. Green moved that the Secretary of State be
authorised to receive twelve hundred copies of the
codifed laws, if rendered before the 2lst of the
present month.
A communication was read from the Secretary of
State setting forth that six hundred copies of the
work had been rendered to him. which he did not
feel at liberty to receive without instructions.
Mr. Stow moved that committee of three be
appointed to examine the codfed statutes and re-
port to this House the manner in which the con-
tract has been fulfilled.
On motion of Mr.. Letcher, committee of three
was stricken out and Judiciary committee inserted.
MIR. Meyers moved to amend by inserting "a
committee of three from each House, Adopted.
Mr. Stow moved to instruct the committee to re-
port tomorrow. Carried.
Messrs Stow, Ashley and Tallmadge were ap-
pointed the committee ON the part OF the House.
NOTICE BILLS.
Mr.. Whitman gave notice of bills for mechanics