The Placer herald., 1856-05-17
Caxfnn Arain

arms. Caxton was in n position to know
the facts in relation to last sessions legsla-
ton, and he shows that action in strong
light as connected with their promises to the
people. After asserting that no political
party ever came into power under more
favorable auspices, than the American party
did in California, he goes on to say Of them
that
The BATrLE-cRY WAS REFORM, 1t echoed
from city to farm-yard, from mountain-top
to ocean-shorc.
The miner heard it, and reoiced; for it
promised an amelioration of his hard condi-
ton. The merchant, and the farmer and the
mechanic listened to its tones with exulta-
ton, for it spoke of reduced taxation. The
good citizen gloried in it, for he beheld in
| its triumph the vindcation of his political
rights. The true Californian blessed it in
his heart, and prayed for it, for he thought
he saw in its success the millennium of his
fortunes-when laws would be made to bene-
fit his country, and develop her resources
not to aggrandize individuals at the public
expense, and drain out the life's blood Of the
| Statc 10 gorge O1Ilclal vampires
The day of trial came, aud victory crown
ed the Reformers with its wreaths. From
every locality in the State, where there could
be obtained fair expression of opinion, and
the ballot box was permitted to speak the
voice of the voters, came the most overwhelm-
ing rebuke ever administered by an outraged
people, to its corrupt and rotten-h hearted
leaders. Six months have elapsed; the Legis-
ature has met and adjourned; and where are
we to-day! Down went Jack, but up came
| Gill. King Log was eXpatrated, but King
Stork regns in his stead. The State extri-
Gated herself from the mud, but she is now
t1ounderng in the mire: the people thanked
God that they had escaped from the frying
pan-but they have upset themselves into
the fire. Point out, who can, a single act of
wise and beneficial legislation, accomplished
by the GREAT DEFUNC1.
Perhaps some halfman enthusiast, like the
unknown one mentioned in history, who
planted a flower upon Neros grave, may
cite the Registry Law, as beautiful bud that
adorns his tomb. But the Registry act fail-
ed in the Senate.
Another may refer to its patriotic action
on the Pacific Railroad measure But that
perished in Committee shUborn
Still another, anxious to say something
complimentary even at the expense of truth,
as men will sometimes do in the presence Of
the dead, may whisper Wagon Road. its
action on the Wagon Road" Ay, and what
was it? Nothing. r.
''But then,n excalaims fourth sit surely
passed the Constitutional Amendments, by
ubiob tba annual of tba
ernment will be diminished one-half" 1t
did no such thing. After running the State
to the expense of more than thirty thousand
dollars to publish these same amendments,
it refused to permit the people to vote upon
them, but stifcd them to death in the AS
semblv.
And why? Because biennial sessions of
the Legislature would benefit the people at
the expense of the politicians. This great
measure would have reduced our expenditures
three hundred thousand dollars per annum,
built up the credit of the State abroad, re-
stored confidence at home, and kept election
buies in abeyance for two years out of every
four. Rut then it must be admitted that
'Othello's occupation would be gone
Nor is this ALL REFORM, as have said,
was the battle-cry. The Thirteenth article
in the GREAT DEBuNcr Platform set it forth
as follows: "Art. XIII. Retrenchment and
Reform in the Civil Administration of Cali
fornia, by reducing the erpenses of the gov
ernment, and lessening the burhens of the
taxpayers (Admirably expressed) And
in the Address of the State Council issued
before the fall election, we find this language,
"We demand a more economical, responsible
and systematic administration of the State
government" Now let us inquire for mo-
ment into the merits and mysteries of KnoW
Nothing retrenchment.
The largest annual Indebtedness ever in
Cured by the State of California by the
Lcgor Beer Administration, did not exceed
100000.
In order to retrench this enormous ex-
pcnditure, the Know-Nothings incur the fol
lowing Indebtedness, the first-and last-vear
of their power:
State of California. ......D DR..
To James NJ Estcll Il Co.. ....S 5 100000
To State Capitol at Sacramento. 80. 100000
To General Appropriation Bill. ..... 6l5000
To General Deficiency. ............ 100000
To Official Advertisements. .''''.. $4,000
To State Prison Deficiency. $4,000
To State Insane Asylum . 10000
Total. SI,SlSOOO
If to these modest items we add the very
many small amounts appropriated by this
model Legislature, we may safely calculate
the total amount at over tWo millions of
dollars.
No wonder that they repudiated the State
Prison wall debt, sent off a commission to
Washington City for the 100000 in the
hands Of the Secretary of War, and passed
an act to fund the debt of the State.
Having succeeded so well in retrenchment,
the Reformers tried their hands on the in
ternal policy of the State. They passed a
pretended Settlers Bill. for the benefit of the