Georgetown weekly news., 1855-05-17
Last Night of the session.


At ten o'clock, pursuant to adjournment,
saws the Sacramento Union, the Assembly
met last evening, and at eleven O'Clock the
Senate convened.
The lobby and gallery of the House were
densely crowded until midnight, the hour of
adjournment
The time was almost wholly occupied in
the Assembly by the consideration of ludi-
crous resolutions, many of which were de-
serving of the applause they received.
A message was received from the Govern
or at a quarter to twelve O'Clock, and an
other at midnight from the Senate, announc-
ing that that body was ready to adjourn
SINE die, whereupon Mr. Speaker Stow arose
and delivered the following eloquent and
beautiful address, which was listened to with
breathlesS interest by the crowded auditory.
AT the conclusion of his remarks, the most
uproarous applause was exhibited both bv
members and spectators:
vALEDIcToRY ADDRESS OF MR.. SPEAKER STOW.
Gentlemen Of the ASssmHp-A discreet
and conscientious discharge Of the duties of
an official station ever receives the ten-fold
reward of private peace and public appro-
baton. The embarrassments surrounding
California legislation are only realized bVy
those who have been participants. The nm
rivalled rapidity ofouP governmental growth
the varied and conflicting interests con-
tending for mastery-the corrupt counsels
that have at times prevailed-the correction
ofthe errors of the past, the prudent policy
Of the future-the force of education in the
statutes and institutions of the States of
our nativity,-all conspire and confound the
most upright and intelligent efforts of the
legislator in the performance of his duties.
One has studied craftsmanship under the
conservative Webster, another under the
compromising Clay, another under the stub
born and solid mastery of Calhoun, and yet
another under the giant of the West. AS
in the halls of Congress, the Puritan and
Pioneer, the strict and the liberal construc-
ZIONIST, mingle in our deliberations
Under circumstances such as these-with
contending interests and views at variance,
it would be strange indeed if at times the
hall of legislation was not the theater of
heated and violent discussion and the source
of imprudent and unwise as well as whole
some and judicious enactmentS.
To contend that we have been faultless,
and that our deliberations will only tend to
the advantage Of the people would be to ar
rogate to ourselves superiority of wisdom
and foresight never yet accorded to simi-
lar body. But it is with pleasure that I
testify to the honest prevailing purpose
though the Judgment may have widely diff
fered.
1t is not my province to eulogiEe or extol
my legislative associates. Each has his ac-
count to arrange with his conscience and
his constituents-eac has left upon the
faithful journal record by which he is to
be judged.
Bnt, gentlemen, there is history con-
nected with your career engraven upon the
heart of one of your number, unintelligible
to all except its posseSsor, and only to be
defaced or bedimmed by death itself. The
kind and dignified deme&nor extended to-
wards me by the Assembly, the uniform sup
port which has sustained my action, could
only emanate from a body Of indulgent and
courteous gentlemen. No matter how heat
ed the debate, no matter how intense the ex-
citement, no matter how stupenduous the
interests involved, when party was arrayed
against party, each pursuing the policy
pointed out by honest opinion-still none
forgot the dignity of his own station, or
failed to add to the obligations towards my
brethren, daily augmenting upon me.
God grant that the future of each of you
may be as agreeable as the recollection of
the associations of this session will ever be
a source of pleasure to your presiding officer.
| now declare this Assembly adjourned
sine die.