The Nevada journal., 1857-02-13
G5e y(tbaoa JOurnaI.
FRIDAY MORNING. FEB. 10, 1857.
PROSTITUTION OF TIE ASSEMBLY.

PROSTITUTION OF TIE ASSEMBLY.
California democracy 1--WE mean its
leaders, might do many things that are
shameful, and many things that are
foolish, and many things that are dirty
without exciting the especial wonder .
ofthose who are acquainted with its his
tory and character When we hear OF
a known thief committing larceny, or a
known bandit committing robbery, or a
known liar perpetrating falsehood we
may sigh, perhaps, at the new deed Of
guilt, but are not, in the least, astonish-
ed at so natural an occurrence. So the
ordinary shortcomings and mis-doings
Of this bastard offspring of the ancient
democracy, are as natural and as much
to be expected, as the wallowing of a
hog in Il mud-hole.
But, as with other criminals, acts will
sometimes be committed so intensely
fearful as to freeze our blood, or SO
shameless as to make us blush even in
solitude; 50 does this political criminal
sometimes descend 50 deeply into the
abyss, as to make even its bitterest en-
emies shudder. Our JOY at the direct
proof of the known worthlessness of po-
litical opponents, is lost in the recollec-
tion that they are fellow-men.
An extreme instance of this kind has
just been given by the California assem-
bly,, in making their hall a scene for
the filthy exhibitions Of Gen. Estell.-
We doubt whether the whole history OF
American politics can furnish another
instance Of such self-abasement in a
legislative body. No possible excuse
can be given for this hideous degrade
ton. 1t cannot be said that Estell
spoke the Objectionable things before
lie could be interrupted, in a speech
which he had right to make. No Sc
rious attempt was made to interrupt him
Moreover, he was out of order from the
first, for he did not seek to use the
question Of privilege " in self-defense,
and it was known, weeks beforehand,
that he had no intention of doing So
He had given notice - and, we believe,
it was so entered upon the journals =
that he was going to attack the charac-
ter of a private citizen, Thomas King,
and the character Of other private citi-
zens connected with the vigilant com
mittee. 1t had been published through
the streets Of Sacramento, and all,
whose depraved moral stomachs craved
for private scandal, hocked into the
lobby and galleries There, for two
hours, did these simple-milded, and
wonder-guzzling assemblymen, sit and
listen to TRADE Of flthiuess, which
would not be allowed in private circle
Of gentlemen. Not My were foul mouth
ed tales told Of private individuals, with
whom the assembly had nothing to do,
but the most cowardIy scandals about
ladies, were retailed to the gaping
crowd, which, (whe.her true or not) no
man would ever repeat, unless in the
strictest confidence And all this in the
open session Of the popular branch of
our state Legislature His attack being
too filthy for the public journals, he re-
solved to make the highest councils of
the state Its receptacle. And these
honorable(9 members tamely and will
lingly submitted. The assembly cham
Der, and the august assembly itself,
prostituted to such infamous purposes! /!
to such "base uses as "model art
lists . would made of them! 1t should
rank among political ofenses, as ranks
among personal crimes Peceatum Hud
horri5ile, inter etristiqnos non aominan-
dam.