Butte record. (Bidwell, Butte County, Cal.) 1853-1858, 1857-02-28
The legislature.

The present session of the Legislature has
had much more onerous and important
duties to perform than any which has here
tofore assembled in the State, and have met
them in spirit of frmress, justice and de-
termination, characterized with the pru-
dence and moderation which should ever
accompany the action of that honorable and
digniied body They have made investiga-
tons in the affairs of the government, which
have not heretofore been required in the
history of our State. The investigations
now being conducted by the Legislature,
need no endorsement from the press to show
the public the necessity of such proceedings
Increasing evidence has accumulated at
every stage of the investigations until its
overwhelming force has driven defaulting
State Treasurer to the resignation OF trust
reposed in him by the people, and if the
Legislature does not impeach the Controller
sufficient has already transpired to show the
loose manner in which model reform officers
sometimes discharge important duties, and
to render an investigation of the affairs of
that Office necessary.
The present session found something to
do besides effecting an organization and pro-
cceding to the ordinary business of legisla-
ton The Senatorial question was barely
disposed of, when extraordinary investiga-
tons into the affairs of State were rendered
necessary, and while claiming the attention
Of the Legislature, it was impossible to pro.
eress rapidly with other affairs. But not
outstanding the extraordinary proceedings
which the single triumph of Know Nothing
ism had rendered necessary, the Democratic
representatives, of the people are nobly dis
charging the duties confided to them, in cor
recting abuses and initiating important re-
forms. 1t is, however, impossible for the
Legislature to complete a session, without
receiving the infamous attacks of the oppo-
sition and self styled "reform press" These
hypocritical and mendacious sheets are not
to be satisfied with any result. Their occu-
patton is to condemn and misrepresent, and
when those who are conscientiously in the
discharge Of their duty, are the objects of
their venom, the notoriety and consequent
success of these unprincipled publicists is
best advanced. 1t is only by keeping up a
continual howl of opposition and defamation
that they succeed in attracting attention,
and sustaining themselves in their unprinci-
pied course. 1t is, however, source of
qualification to the people, to know as they
do, that the legislature will continue on in
their righteous course, unswayed by their
improper influence, and undismayed by their
unjust calumnies.
The Senate on the Goth, was principally
engaged in the adoption of rules governing
impeachment cases. The 9TH of March was
fixed as the day for the Senate to sit as a
High Court of impeachment to try Henry
Bates. The bill creating a State Police
force, was indefinitely postponed in the AS
sembly, and the special committee appoint
ed to draw up articles of impeachment
against the State Controller, were author
lied to take testimony in San Francisco
The civil appropriation bill as agreed upon
by the committee of conference, was passed.
We were led to believe that State police
force would be of invaluable service in
breaking up the organized bands which now
infest the State, and cannot but regret that
it has been thus sumularily disposed Of