Weekly Trinity journal., 1857-11-28
Our State Government.

The nev year is fast approaching, and with il
we have every prospect of hailng a new era in
the political history of our State
Never before since our organized exstauce. has
an Executive had it in his power TO announce to
an incoming Legislature that there was a sufh-
cheney of funds in the Treasury to meet the ap-
preparations made for its expenses Whatever
may have been the faults of the outgoing admin
istration. this one fact, with the tax ridden peo-
pie of California, is sufficient to cover a multi
tude OF sins for in it they have hope of seeing
at no very distant day, the expenses of our State
government not only within her revenue, but a
much lighter tax than the one now imposed, am
ply sufficient to raise that revenue.
We have so long and vainly hoped for this
state OF affairs that its realization is like dream
from which we fear we may be awakened. One
year ago every one had hope of our financial af
fairs as State, assuming prosperous condition,
but upon the meeting Of the Legislature we were
awakened to the sad reality that our State was
impoverished through the fathlessness of hcrpub-
lie servants. A new order of things became nee
essary new objects of taxation were to be look
cd up to preserve our credit, fast depreciating,
not only in the Eastern States, but at home
The last Legislature succeeded far better than we
had any reason to hope for in this regard and we
now find ourselves again with bright future be-
fore us.
Gov. Weller will assume the reins OF State
government under auspcious circumstances
With both branches of the Legislasure. by large
majorities, composed Of men selected from his
own party, and those too who ardently supported
him in his canvass, and who will be equally en-
crgetic in the support of his administration, il
will be almost impossible for him to fail in the
successful prosecution of that policy of State
government which his expansive and superior
judgment may point out
Wishes are entertained on all hands that the
coming session of the Legislature may be short.
Although this is desirable. yet the experience of
the past teaches us that nothing has done more to
injurr our condition as State, or TO prevent the
successful working the machinery of our Consti-
tuition, than has:y legislation. Whatever laws
are enacted. 1T necessity call for them, and let
them be well discussed and dgcsted before they
are placed upon our Statute Book. to become
dead letters under decisions OF our Supreme
Court However mach was done last winter to
correct abuses and give to our State government
vigorous and healthful action, much may still
be done to greatly improve it,
Our State Prison as at present conducted un-
der san ction Of law, is a mere apology for draw
ing from our Treasury large amounts of money,
which is wholly unnecessary TO conduct such an
institution properly. While the prisons of all the
older States are 81 source of revenue, ours is an
annual expense of one hund ed and fifty thou
sand dollars when labor too commands better
wages than elsewhere. The reason of this has
been n mystery to us and if we must continue
this enormous expense, it should he the duty Of
the Legislature to let the people know why.
Many other subjects of equal importanc" to the
interests of the State require attention at the
hands of our law makers, and we hope they will
not be neglected through anxiety to render this
a model assemblagc Of wisdom.