Butte record., 1854-02-18
Legislative.


Hon. John W. Park Of the Assembly has
laid us under repeated obligations for legisla-
tive favors, heretofore. We are now called
upon to acknowledge the receipt of the Ledger,
contai ming substitute for the ''Bill to regu-
late the salaries of State officers and per diem
of members of the legislature" introduced
by Mr.. Park. The provisions Of the substitute
while they aim TO be Immensely funny" are
calculated to oppose the retrenchment rec
commended by the Executive, whereby saw
ing to the State of S371 200 90 would be an
nually effected
Mr.. Park is undoubtedly a very "funuy"
member of what few more like him would
render very ''funny" legislature. The pro-
visions of the substitute, unlike other ''fun"
which has presented itself to the present legs
lature, were not wholly original. The author
has borrowed feather of wit from the cap of
that illustrious legislative wit, ex-Hon. A. G.
McCandless. Indeed it cannot be expected
that one mind, however profound may have
been its researches, should originate all the
'fun" contained in this model substitute, and
the author in its compilation has very justly
called to his aid the ''small beer wit of an
''illustrious predecessor The author has
evidently made some research to aid him in
his legislative career-or to aid him in his
election. The latter seems to have the pref
erence, since from the substitute before US, it
would seem that his endeayors to serve the
State as a legislator had ended, McCandless
like, in 'fun." Such proceedings may be en-
joyed hugely by portion of the members op-
posed to these and other reforms but we
would advise all such that their constituents
may possibly hold them to to an accounta-
bility rather more strict than funny SO far
as we are concerned, it is believed that the
reforms recommended by the Executive, while
they would be ample to compensate the honest,
intelligent and straight forward legislator,
they would meet the hearty approval of the
people of California Legislative wags should
of course receive increased pay, and we would
respectfully concur with the provisions of the
substitute in this respect, that all such mem
bers be provided at the expense of the county
they represent, 'with the necessary means for
encampment during the session of the Legis-
lature, ''and provisions for their support,
while engaged in the duties of their Office
The Legislature has now been in session
nearly two months, and have accomplished
comparatively nothing. The Broderick usur-
patton question, which has already occupied
the first month of the session, was postponed
for month that the legislature might pro-
ceed with their legitimate business. If such
funny affairs as Mr.. Park substitute are to
occupy the intervening month, very little Of
general utility may be expected from their Ia
bors If the legislature is opposed to the
adoption of the reforms recommended by the
Executive, why not reject them at once, and
not employ the assembled wisdom of Califor-
mia, in the consideration of such brilliant eff
forts. The people we doubt not, would prefer
to see laws that have been amended at every
session of the legislature, with yet another
amendment attached, than to see these '.fun-
ny" effusions occupying the available time of
the legislature.
Mr.. Park will accept our thanks for his kind
attention in forwarding legislative proceed |
ings. :