Weekly Trinity journal., 1857-07-11
From the California Chronicle.1
Place n Begsar on Horseback:"

It will be recolected that some time since con-
siderable parade was made over very nhe nre
engine purchased by Sam. Brannan, aud by MIN
presented to the Brannau Fire Association AS
the engine referred to was very costly and
magnificent affair the lberality of the donor was
highly extoled at the time, although considering
his extensive property interest in the city, his
purchase of the engine in reality eonld only have
been considered an act of common prudence and
foresight on his part. The Brannan Fire Associo
alton, $50 called in compliment to the donor of
the engine,l was composed of many OF the first
Business men In the city, who Joined the Assocla-
ton for the purpose of encouraging tie Fire De-
partment, and II rossble 10 Increase lts useful
ness and efficiency.
A circumstance which transpired on Saturday
evening would lead us to infer that the purse
proud and arrogant donator of the engine was
actuated by very peculiar motives in his sudden
and before unheard of fit OF generosity, and that
he imagined that those whom he honored ~ oy
bestowing upon them the marks of his bounty
were in duty bound to be his serGs. AT the pr-
mary election which was held on Saturday, mo-
ney bag Sam. was q candidate for delegate to the
State Convention, and although the voters dld
not exhibit very correct appreciation OF the
virtue of his houses and lands they did OF his
quaifcatons-Sa was defeated, aud. oh hor-
ribie dictu! by poor laboring maui THIS aroused
the indignation of the man whose only claim to
the support of the people was his wealth, and his
little mind was determined to be revenged on
somebody. He thought the Brannan Fire Asso-
citation should have secured his election, although
many of the members of the body did not reside
in his district, some Of them had nothing to do
with the primary election, as they do not belong
to the Democratic party, and all OF them we're
too high toned and independent gentlemen to be
made the Instruments of any man, whether that
man be possessed of more brains than money
or more money than brains So, with the ASSIST,
ance of few Iick-spitues, the great Sam. pro-
ceeds TO the building where the engine OF the
Rrannan Association was kept, takes possession
of the engine, and also Of several articles which
were the personal property OF Tue members OF
that Company and the Howard Hngine Company,
and has them locked up swore I've Would throw
the engine into the hay-would cut 1t to pieces
or destroy II I'M some way. AS soon as the Com
pany heard Of his action, II deputatlon waited
nnon Branpan and informed him that they must
have possession of the cnglue, which belonged to
them and that if he did not give 1t up peace
ably. they would take it by force. The small
souled, dollar-hearLed, would-be-tyrant, iindlu8
himself cornercd and also hndlng that IN work
ing out his petty, mean spite, he had lam himse II
liable to criminal prosecution, concluded TO
give tib the engine quietly and it is now IN pos
session of the Company. We have heard OF, and
seen the actions of money lords before this, but
the one we now notice, is the most mperttnent
as well as ridiculous attempt OF man with no.
thing but his dollars to recommend MIN TO make
his power felt, tha. has ever come under our OBJ.
servation Il is to be hoped that the arrogance
of this would be petty tyrant Is somewhat hum
bled h1 Che result of his last attempt; and that
all of his class will bear in mind that although
money s very, very powerful, still a man must
be possessed of sumc other qualifications in adj
aition theieto, before he can receive the support
OF the community.