Weekly Trinity journal., 1857-03-28
Reform Legislation.

II there is any term in the English language so
meaningless--so much abuscd--so strangely
dealt with--and made to answer the purpose so
we'll for popular hobby, it is the word REFORM.
II has been used so much, abused so much and
made to captivate the car Of the people who are
supposed to rule the roost that it has become the
stereotype patriotic war song for every party.
faction, clique and mongrcl compound of fanati-
cism that rises its head for Office or power
There is too much law-too much legislation
for the good Of the people. Every good and
practical measure that has as yet been brought
forward, has been either referred TO Standing
committees that never set or consigned to worse
iatc--that of being made the special order Of the
day. By this beautiful system of legislation the
real business Of The session is kept at least from
three TO four weeks behind. This never fails to
secure long session Of the Legislature, for which
the dear people will turn out their money 10 pay
for as free as water Punishment is not felt un-
der soothing name. 1t is the love of reform
that rallies the people. and it is the pretended
grcat principles that makes them feel that every
thing is right. or at least that every thing is ma
tional.
The Legislature has passed between seventy
five and eighty-fyc acts, and scarcely one Of them
of general character but still it matters not
to the most Of those who are loudcst for their en-
actmcnt They perhaps are ready to leave the
country almost any moment after the Legislature
adjourns.
n, C4o4 IJrt.,1 1tp.,, 10.
extent, the slothiul character they so richly de-
serve, but slohiulless is not the worst feature of
California law makers. Ignorance would no
doubt carry off the prize was a contest opened be-
tween procrastination and stupidity, The Bill
alluded to above will save probably from forty
five to seventy-fve thousand dollars per annum--
very considerable item TO the interest Of the
State at this time and one which should have been
passed years ago
BY the report of Mr.. Brent, chairman OF the
committee of Ways and Means, the Stamp Act is
shown to be Of the very greatest Importance TO
the State. without this Bill there could be no
hope for the people to expect or anything else
than another additional tax.
The amendments to the constitution, which has
been suspended for the last two years like Ma
homcd's coffin. between heaven and EARTH has at
last passed b. IL Lou g In 55 these very import
ant Amendments were offered and passed, but a
technical bubble was raised as to some neglect
upon the part Of the Governor, who should have
had them published in the Spanish language
which he failed to do This neglect was not q
matter Of economy to the State, for heavy print
ing bills were paid by an appropriation which
passed carly last winter If there is any thing
which deeply concerns the citizens OF this State
it is the revision Of the Constitution and laws
The people are so badly hampercd with law that
there is scarcely enough of definite law upon the
statute TO guarantee TO the citizen the protection
of his life or property.
There is one thing however which should not
be denied to the present Legislature-thc honor
of raising the curtain and letting the people see
how the grand financial game OF poker was
played. This accidental step, for we are very
much inclined to think it was an accidental one.
after all may lead 10 good results. We hope so.