The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-06-11
Oar San Francisco CoErsspenAence.
SAN FRANCIecO, Nav s, 1855

and Ciaims-Pubhc Offices and Public Pay
stose Of the City Wharres-Attempt at Official
Bribery Weather and Trade Chinese Idolatry
ondChinese Notwithstanding and Lynching-
The Drama at a Losc Ebb-Miss Oatman's Grant
and Other Appropriation Escheated Estates
Bill-THs United States Senatorship-Chances
ofthe Candidates-Knoto Nothing Intolerance
Reform ofMe Criminal Code-IHe Panama Mas.
sacre Ercitement-A Neto Catholic Church
The Claims on adams E Co.
The first fruits of the bill consolidating city
and county and organizing their govnrnment on
better basis are rather unpromising. A few days
after its passage number of suits were commenced
against the city for quarter million dollars and
all its funds and property attached. These proceed
ings are instituted by holders of scrip, who have
long waited for its payment. For each department
of the government proportion Of the taxes collected
are set apart and no more than the sum thus placed
asidecan be paid. The consequence is, much of it
has been rejected and large portion was fraudu.
lently issued by Meiggs. The Supreme Court lber'
ally constituting the charter holds that the city is
liable. Under these circumstances it was pressed
on the Legislature to pass law funding this debt aud
thereby give security to claimants and save the
city the expense of defending suits brought againstt
by creditors. The bill was introduced and passed one
branch of the Legislature, but on subsequent day
it was RECONSTRUCTED and no further action taken
the subject. Some of the scrip taken to Sacramen
to was, on examination, found to be spurious, and
this is the way Madame Rum0r has It, the measure
was defeated. Had it become law all the litiga'
ton going on and to follow would be spared u.s.
1t is another trouble added to the long catalogue in
ficted on the city by dishonest functionaries and
hostile legislators. Our citizens are too ambitious
and busy to pay the requisite attention to the
doings of their law makers. The necessity Of
funding bill was as apparent as reform in the gov.
eminent of the city. An act was passed funding
the outstanding debt of the State up to January,
1867. Bonds are to be issued to run for twenty
years. at seven per cent, for 81 100000. This will
make the entire liabilities Of the State, bearing in
terest, 100000. We can only regret similar
provision was not made for San Francisco.
While the city is thus sunk in hopeless bankrupt
cy, it is singular fact that 100000 remains due
and unpaid for assessments. This sum is owing by
wealthy men, who refuse to pay, and, by compelling
able by appealing to the higher courts to evade for
years their collection. The burthen Of supporting
the city government is in this way thrown on the
poonr classes, who promptly pay when called on
The merchants say they would only contribute the
! means of enabling the treasury to be robbed and
therefore refuse-a lame excuse to cover their real
motives. Their delinquency takes the bread from
school teachers, policemen, &C., most of whom have
to wait six or seven months before they can have
their salaries paid. The floating indebtedness OF
the county is over s50000 that of the city is one
million and q halt, or over
An exc ounty Recorder has succeeded in getting
from the county, already impoverished, the sum Of
$4,000, for indices to the books of mortgages con-
yeyances, &c. He refused to deliver them up with
out beng paid this sum, and they are iudispensi-
BILE to the prosecution of searches, committee of the
Supervisors were persuaded to lie. him have this ex-
ira compensation. It is doubtful if he can get the
So 900, the charter restricts the Supervisors
in the appropriation Of money.
Yet another effort is on foot to exact larger sum,
namely $780, 000 from the county for the lost archives
of the pueblo of San Francisco. These documents
to settle the titles to all lands in this vi sinty,
about there has been SO much litigation. The gen.
t!eman who makes the demand says that he dug
them up out Of the earth, where they were con-
ceaed, and he is determined 10 make the spot from
whence they were taken prove to him rich mine.
As matter of right, these papers are the property
of the city as the successor OF the pueblo, and bis
duty in the premises is to deliver them up and re-
ceive liberal reward for his trouble and any ad-
dtional gift their value woull justly entitle him to.
| As it is now committee have had a conference
with him, and his terms as stated were made
known.
The commercial interests Of the city have long
required safer aud more substantial description OF
whalves than what the harbor is at present pro-
vided with. The building Of a bulkhead would
give far greater security to the shipping arriving
Eere. A general acknowledgment of its necessity
ia abroad preventive to any Interior chan:e OF
Bencia being selected the great entepot for our
would be considerable, and from the present fnau-
cal condition OF the city it is out Of the question
that it could be performed at its expense An offer
has been made by spectators to build sea wall,
but On terms SO manifestly unfair that the press
| insisted on refusing the proposal. The Board of
| Aldermen had an exciting time when the subject
came up before them. Messrs. Levi Parsons and
| others agreed to construct bukhead on condition
thoff hn citv uish
| collect wharfage for all future time. The Board
| is composed of eight members, and it was
found four favored the grant and an equal number
| was in opposition. One Of the members explained
the ground OF his antagonism. He had been ap-
preached by individuals few days previously
! soliciting his vote. They assured him, in case he
promised the ordinance would 20 through, as four OF
the Aldermen had pledged themselves to support it:
They ready to hand him Sc geo if he consented
to give bis vote in favor of the measure. This dis
closure fell like bombshel in the Board and imme.
diately brought to their feet all who in favor Of
the grant. Explanations were demanded, and one
member, more beligerent than the rest, made advan
ces OF nonpacifc nature across the room, towards
| the gentleman who had been tempered with. He
| was restrained from committing any violence. The
| proposition of Messrs Parsons and others was
] unanimously rejected. If the bulkhead can be
/ built equitable terms the voice of our citizens
will be strong in its ravor. The field is now open for
other parties to make offers, aud such invited
| The State will contribute nothing towards it, and
the city is unable to move, SO if ever built it must
be done by private enterprise
There is and has been for months past general
| complaint OF the stagnation OF business, and the
mercantile community have reason to grumble at the
dizziness Of trade. We receiving large shipments
| from the East inundating the markets, which makes
commercial matters li:tless enough. The long
| drought had also tendency to paralize business.
Another cause of this depression is that the trade is
over done. There are two persons in each branch,
where one would be sufficient The plentiful fall OF
rain has had the effect of Frightening the prospects
OF bountu crops, while to the miners 1t affords the
means of conducting their operations. In many dis
tricts they had to suspend for want OF this neces
from the agricultural counties, promising full re-
turns to reward the labors OF the husbandmen.
The mineral resources Of the State yielding pro-
ftablc results to the perseveriDg and industrious.
There is appearance OF the diggngs giving out;
and from the fresh discoveries every day, there is
every reason believe California WAS never richer