The Placer herald., 1856-01-19
AUBURN, JANUARY 10. 1855.
A Town Incorporation for Auburn.

project was not carried into execution.
By reference to the files of the Aubun
Whig, of the 9Th of April and the 9Th Of
May, 1855, we find the attention Of our citi-
zens called to the matter in two we'll written
articles by the editor Of that paper. The
necessities Of the move, the law upon the
subject, and the entire question is so ably
treaty therein, that we will extract from
those articles such portions as our space will
permit, but would recommend those interest
ed and who have the files of those dates, to
read every word he has there written
In the article of the 2sth of April, he says
zone great peril necessarily incurred in a
thickly built town or village, is that of con-
our numerous Chinese population we are
particularly liable. The extremely loose and
careless customs Of that people, are too gen
orally known and understood to require any
comment from lis, and it is from them IN a
great measure that aVe hare reason for oppre-
hension."
The words in italics seem almost prophet
ic when we recall the fact that on the 4th of
June following, the fire which laid our village
in ashes, originated in one of the dens of
that tribe
The Chinese portion of the town is much
more extensive now than it was then; many
more Of that people are here now than then
and although we have, in rebuilding the
4
stay an entire sweep of the town in case Of
another fire, in the shape of some good fire
proof brick houses, yet, we apprehend, fire
in Chinatown would in all likelihood destroy
as great an amount of property now as it
did before, when the whole town was con-
sumed Perhaps, if there had been town
corporation, the calamity might nevertheless
have befallen us; certainly efficient police ar
rancements can be instituted to lessen the
danger fifty per cent.
Further: "the condition of our streets and
alleys is not at all times such as we could
desire yet the distractions existing and the
remedies required are not properly under
the control of the Road Supervisor"
We will just call attention to the streets
in front of the Orleans and Wells, Fargo d
Co.'S Express office, in verifcaton of this ex-
tract at the present time. Here, we are the
center Of an extensive stage travel, strangers
visiting us daily, the county seat of large
county, the entertainers of our fellow-cti-
zens from all parts Of the county, attending
upon the courts, and drawn here from their
necessities in other matters connected with
county seat, and yet we have none but miry
streets, without crossings, or system of side
walks for them to walk upon.
The law provides that whenever major
ity of the electors Of any town or village
shall petition the County Court to that effect,
the court shall proceed to incorporate the
town, and order an election Of Board of
Trustees Assessor, Treasurer and Marshal;
said officers to hold for term Of one year,
and their pay to be fixed by the Board of
Trustees. The powers of the Trustees as
fixed by law are, ''to prevent and remove
nuisances--to provide for licensing public
shows and lawful games-to prohibit disor-
derly conduct-to regulate and establish
markets to construct pumps, aqueducts,
reservoirs or other works for supplying the
town with water-to keep in repair public
wells--to lay out alter, keep open and re-
pair the streets and alleys of the town--to
provide such means as they may deem ne,
cessarv to protect the town from injuries by
fires, and to pass such other laws and ordn-
snces for the regulation and police of the
town as they may deem necessary"
Such, after an examination Of the acts
passed upon the subject, we find 10 be sub
stantially the law in relation thereto, with
this addition, that they may have Recorder
with the powers Of Justice of the Peace
in criminal and ordinance violations within
the limits Of the corporations if they desire
it, 1t seems admirably adapted to our ne
cessties-the expense Of the administration
can be gagged by the judgment of our cit-
zens. Elect your Board Of Trustees from
among your property holders, and they are
not likely to produce a necessity for taxing
themselves.
We are painfully sensible that the fire has
crippled our citizens in their resources, and
we incline to favor this move from the fact
that it will produce greater results, more
uniform improvement and excellent police
arrangements, much cheaper than in any
other way. The revenue from fines, the IL
cense from shows, &C., would of itself not be
inconsidsrable Most of the officers, we
have no doubt, (as it would not require more
than two hours a week. serve gratis, and
those it would be necessary to pay could
draw it from the fees Of office.
Aside from all other considerations, it is
sorn at hinn Of a favor that this is tha 1o,,ntu