Volcano weekly ledger., 1857-03-07
MIsoonduct of omoials-Its Cause.

Misconduct of Omcials-Its Cause.
We hear it frequently asked, what causes
the general misconduct of persons holding Of
fee in the State of California?
That the question is founded in truth, it
were useless to deny; however 10th we may
be to acknowledge the truth of the assertion.
The facts are patent on the face of every
days record of the doings Of our servants
those who have each taken solemn oath be-
fore God to perform faithfully the duties as
signed them.
1t is high time that the reason of this de-
morahzaton should be searched out, and the
remedy, if any, applied.
For our part we believe the cause to be
the general apathy Of the people themselves
in regard to the conduct of those whom they
have chosen to make their laws and admins
ter the same.
We venture the assertion that there has
hitherto been less interest taken by the com
munity of this State, in public matters, than
by any other in the civilized portion of the
world; however far they may be removed
from the control of State affairs
We do not mean to be understood as ma
king the assertion that the doings of those in
power are not canvassed and discussed by the
masses of our citizens, while matters are
fresh before them; but, that they permit their
zeal for the public good to end in the mere
talk Of the moment.
Were it necessary to show proof of this
statement we could point to the fact that even
at this late day, when reform and guard :"
are the watchwords Of all, and men, now if
ever, are bent on bringing about a reign of
honesty, we find scarcely petition before
the Legislature in regard to any Of the i'm
portant measures before that body
Subject after subject Of vital Importance
has been before that body, directly affecting
the interests of the people, and yet they have
supinely rested on mere words expressed at
home-words and opinions that will be for
gotten, even by those who gave them, before
the next election. No public meetings have
been held to ascertain the general desire and
carry weight in its expresson--no remon-
strances circulated to counteract corrupt in
fuences
Matters relating to the prosperity of the
mining interests, of the utmost Importance,
have been before the Legislature things not
taken into consideration in the canvass, and
of which our representatives cannot be ad-
vised as to the wishes of their constituents,
and permitted to become laws, or be rejected
without an effort on the part of those who
are to suffer or be the gamers by the conse-
quences.
The submission of law to the people to
legalize the State debt-the disposition of the
swamp Landslide alteration of the homestead
law--restriction of the steamboat monopoly
constituting the digging of gold on land that
proves to belong to another person, crime
the stamp act, and many others now under
consideration by the Legislature, are meas
ures of no triaing character, and yet from all
that appears on the record, the great majority
of our representatives are acting in profound
ignorance Of the will of those whom they
represent.
Can the people expect men in Office to
maintain their integrity against all temptation,
when plunderers of the public are not placed
on the same footing with other thieves, but
instead thereof their peculations are permit
ted to pass unnoticed, and even in many cases
they are lsuded for their shrewdnessl Can
we hope that our agents will labor for our ad-
vantage when we take no interest in our own
welfare. nor even cell them to an account Of
the.s Stewardship