Butte record., 1855-09-01
J' Nicely Johnson and His Acts,

The nomination of j. Neely ohnson,
by the great American party of the
State Of California, has very naturally
induced many to inquire into his past
political course, in order that they might
act advisedly, and not assist in the eleya~
ton of man to the gubernatorial chair.
whose anteccdents are not such as would
be likely to promote the welfare of the
State. We have taken some pains TO
examine the Journals of the Assembly
for the year 1858, of which body he was
a member, as well as the acknowledged
lealer of the whig representatives there
OF, and we cannot find single act to
entitle him to the proud position claimed
for him by his political friends. Indeed
we must confess our astonishment at the
want o. Judgment displayed by the know
nothlngs, in selecting him as their stand
ard bearer. OF all the whig representa-
tives in the Assembly of that year, there
is not one who, by his acts in that body.
does not possess stronger claims to the
suttrages of the people. The many acts
for the relief of individuals, and special
legislation Of that session, with few
exceptions, six in number, found in Mr..
johnson ready and a willing supporter;
while his uniform opposition to every
measure for the relief of the settler. met
with his stern and vigorous opposition.
Mr.. johnson may have the most hon
est intentions, but we fear if elected
Governor of the State, that his clever
ness of disposition and want of firmness,
would make him very unsafe guardian
OF the rights and interests of the people
Of the State. But let the record speak.
He voted for Convention to revise
the Constitution of the State. (See
page 3l7.) A measure that if passed,
it was urged, would have cost the State
half million of dollars During the
progress of the bill through the Assembly
i (see pages 315 and 3l6, "Mr Crenshaw
moved to recommit the bill, with instruc-
tions to the Committee to propose amend
ments to the Constitution in accordance
with Art. X, Sec l, of the Constitution,
requiring biennial instead of annual ses-
sions of the Legislature, and with amend
ments abolish hing the office of Soperin-
tendent Of Public instruction together
with such other amendments as to the
committee may seem proper"
Mr.. johnson and every member of
the Assembly who signed the Secret Cir
cular, except Mr.. Cabiness, voted nay on
the above motion. The action of the
wings in that body was in accordance
with the plan recommended in the Sc
cret Circular.
He voted against the Act to abolish
the old Hospital system of the State
See page COG. The adjustment of the
old system as recommended by Gov.
Bigler in his annual message of 1853,
has already saved the State over two
hundred and fifty thousand dollars. This
reform Mr.. johnson opposed.
He voted against Mr.. Hally's Bill for
the protection of the Settler on Public
Lands. See page CAB.
! He voted against the Act to improve
the Tule Lands, and to secure pre-emt-
tion rights thereon. See page 63S.
/ He voted against Hubb's Anti-Mo-
nopoly Bill. See page 225. This bill
made it criminal offence for speculA-
tors to enter into combinations to ad-
vance the prices Of -four and other ne
ccssaries of life, and was intended to
prevent the prices of -four from advan-
cling to fifty dollars per barrel, as was the
case in 1852 The bill was lost by one
vote.
He voted in every instance to allow
public officers leave Of absence to visit
the east, without d, Quoting their salaries
while absent.
He voted for the bill for the measure
ment of Lumber. See page 491.
/ He voted in favor of increasing the
salary of the Alto ney General of the
State, from Fifteen Hundred to Four
Thousand Dollars See page 642.
J The Legislature was in session ninety
three days Mr.. johnson was absent
thirty-one days-one third of the session
for which he received his per diem-a
greater number Of days we believe than
any other member. The ayes and nays
were called four hundred and thirty.three
times. We find Mr. Johnson's name
recorded three hundred and one times.
We look in vain for his votes upon