Butte record., 1856-02-16
California LEGISLATURE.

year. So crude absurd and unjust are many
of the measures originating in the Assembly
of this State, that it is almost impossible to
refer to that honorable body and resist the
impulse to perpetrate play upon its very
significant name. The decisions of the Su-
preme Court, the Constitution and precedeuts,
form no guide or check to the aspirations of
this body. There is no latitude to their as
sumptions--no check to their partizan ambi-
ton. They originate and pass a measure to
make the State pay the expenses of the Know
Nothing delegation to the national convention
with as much GOODNESS aud deliberation, as
they could exhibit upon the passage of the
necessary appropriation bills for the support
of the State government. They adopt meas
ures toincrease the patronage of the Govern
or, and by strict party vote, repudiate the
idea that the people are capable Of electing
their own officers. They consider a PROPOSE
ton to take the census, with view to equal
ize the represention in opposition to the plain
and unqualified provisions of the constitution.
With the true characteristics of their secret
demagogue order, they neglect to inform their
con ,tituents Of their doings, and then boast of
their economy in saving the State the expense
of penny postage. They ,epudiate contract
to board the State prisoners at ninety cents
per head per day, and allow $4,000 per
month-an increase in expense of near S50,-
900 per year. Instead of lcgislating upon the
State prison matter, with a view to an econom-
ical administration of its affairs, they are
squandering their time and the treasure Of
the State, in the endeavor 10 make it an cleo
tioneering hobby for the approaching cam
paign.
These are merely the incidental doctrines of
the dominant party. The great principle of
the party-its life and vitality is yet to be
spoken of. This vital principle of the party,
which is to be the salvation of the State, and
ameliorate the condition of the great human
family, is the passage of n registration Act.
This great and important measure, fraught
as it is with the essence Of vitality to the great
and magnanimous Ki-Yi party, has not been
hastily introduced Time has heen taken to
carefully prepare the measure-to frame its
important provisions-that they may effect
the object desired and rebound to the glory of
the party. Six weeks Of the session have
transpired in connecting this vital measure
and its introduction in the Assembly (of
course) was appropriately intrusted to an i'm
migrant from Massachusetts-where registra-
ton acts and notification laws s'most do pre-
dominate-where the law makes it criminal
offence to arrest a Niger, and where mothers
ranny of the old world as foreign paupers.
In a borrowed copy of the State Journal,
we find the provisions of this il-hberal and
bigotted measure discussed at length, with
characteristic ability The thing is entitled
"An act requiring the registration of the
names of legal voters in the incorporated cit
les of this State" Like other measures orig
mating in the Assembly, it creates host of
new offices, to be filled by appointment, and
paid from the over drained treasures of the
cities. The osten sible author of this bill is
miner by profession. and probably wishes to
acquire as enviablc reputation by interfering
in city matters, as some of the city members
have by their attempts to legislate for the
mines. But it is noticeable fact, that all
these attempts at reform, and for the purifca-
ton of the ballot box, create new places for
the hangers-on of the reform party, and they
are careful to place the disposal of them with
in the reach of the party. 1t is not yet man
ifest to the Assembly but what they are legis-
lating for the people when they legslate for
their party. They will be made to feel and
know their error.
Section l provides for the election by the
qualified electors, of four commissioners in
each incorporated town or city, two from each
party, who shall make list of all the legal vo-
ters in the respective cities.
Section provides that the said commission
ers shall enter upon their duties certain
number of days prior to each election, and
arrange in alphabetical list, all names that
shall be presented to them, of persons who
may exhibit evidences of the right of suffrage.
1t requires naturalized citizens to exhibit
their naturalization papers, upon which the
commissioners shall write OF stamp the d ate
of such presentation.
Section says that three of the said COM
missoners shall constitute quorum, and
less number shall not transtact business, and
any vacancy shall be filled by the common
council.
Section makes any misstatements or COR
rnpt misrepresentation by the electorI to
said commissioners, a misdemeanor, and pun
ishable the same as perjury.
Section provides that if any applicant
shall refuse to answer such questiens as may
be put to him, his name shall not be entered
upon the list and the commissioners are al
lowed to enter the names Of those personally
known to them to be voters, whether they ap-
pear in person or not, or if it shall be proven
before them that such persons are legel votors.
Section provides that if any person shall
knowingly cause his name to be entered on
the list of a ward in which he is not resident
he shall be deemed guilty of misdemeanor,
and may be punished by fine and imprison-
ment.
Section says that the commissioners shall
have the lists printed at lOast fourteen days