The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-06-07
DIVISION OF CALIFORNIA INTO THREE
STATES.
From the Alta-Calisornis Anril .,


An interesting and animated discussion took
place in the Assembly on Tuesday, in relation
to the division of the State. Mr. Douglass, of
San Joaquin, had introduced bill providing
that California should be divided into three
States, and on this the discussion arose.
In former times, when this subject of division
has come up for discussion, we have invariably
opposed it. We should do the same now, with
all our power, were the same objects aimed at
as have been in former years. But this move
ment for a division is>divested of the sectional
character of those which have been made be-
fore, and we are inclined to the opinion that no
one of those advocating it ia so insane as to
suppose it possible that under the light now ex-
listing in the State the dark institution can ever
be planted in any part of California.
The agitators have hitherto been foiled in
every attempt they have made to engraft the
obnoxious institution upon us. The popular
voice is against it in every part Of the State,
by so heavy a majority, that whether it remain
rs it is, or is divided into several States, we
confess to small fear Of this dangerous and
sectional institution being introduced
In regard to the naked question of division,
there is much that may be said on both Sides
The State is unquestionably too large the in.
terests OF different sections are too conflicting
for that harmony of feeling necessary to correct
legislation or equal prosperity. The people in
the remote parts of the State are subjected to
severe if not unjust expense in their attendance
on the Supreme Court, and they hear so little
and know so little of their laws, and the manner
Of making them, that they can have no very
strong attachment to the State authority.
On the other hand, the expense of three State
Governments woold be much greater than the
expense ofone. There would be more officers
"a, a. az H.,
disguise it as we may, will be a powerful mo-
tive in bringing about the division.
The most mighty argument, however, in favor
of division, is this: that our Congressional rep
resentation would be increased. The impor-
lance Of this can hardly be over-estimated, and
1t will be this consideration that will make the
division popular with the people.
There 10 one objection, however to division
OF the State at this time. The people have not
been consulted in the matter. No one supposed
that this Legislature would take action on 30
important matter, and therefore no member
was elected in reference to it. The people
ought first to be consulted. There should be
no such Judgment taken; but after the matter
has been fairly discussed, and the people under
stand it, and have expressed themselves, then
will be time enough to act in the matter. There
are constitutional objections to Mr. Douplass's
BILL but those do not affect the abstract ques-
ton of division, and therefore we let them pass
for the present.
very proper course, as it seems to us, was
taken by the Assembly in reference to the mat
ter. A committee was appointed to prepare an
address TO the people of the State, so that at
the next general election the issue of division
or no division viii be fairly presented. If the
majority of the people shall be found to favor
division, it will be the duty of all good patriots
and good Democrats to Aeerfully assent to it ;
and if the majority decide otherwise, they will
submit to their verdict with equal grace.
RuFFIANIss-We learn from the Mobile
(Ala.) Register, that the Rev. Father Nashou,
Roman Catholic priest from Springfield Col
lege, has for some time past been officiating at
a chapel erected On a piece of ground given
| for school and religious purposes by the pro-
prietors of the Dog River factory, few miles
below Mobile. On Sunday, 18th instant, while
on his way to the chapel, he was met by four
fellows, who asked if he was a Catholic priest ;
and upon his answering in the affirmative, they
dragged him out of his buggy and beat him in
| brutal manner and one fellow held dirk
before him, and threatened, if he ever preached
to the factory people again, he should feel that
weapon. He managed to crawl to the factory
after q while, whence he was escorted home,
and now remains in q very precarious state.
The Chinese in New York number from 1000
to 1900. only two of whom are females. They
hard together in crowded apartments, and, with
,od IN al vurou,So