The weekly Columbian., 1857-01-31
legislative Proceedings.

A bill has recently passed the Senate
providing for the sale Of swamped and
overfowed lands in the State.
A bill has been introduced in the SEN
ate, by Mr.. Shaw, the nature Of which
is-the admissibility of the testimony OF
negroes and other persons of color in all
cases, under certain restrictions.
From the Sacramento Union, we learn
that bill has been introduced in the
Assembly, authorizing the obstruction
of a toll-bridge across the Sacramento
river. at Sacramento.
In the Senate on the 23d inst, the AS
sembly concurrent resolution fixing the
day of adjournment sine die on the fourth
Of March, was made the order of the day
for the 21st February.
MI. Shaw, of San Francisco, has in
troduced into the Senate, long report
in favor of submitting the question of
calling Constitutional Convention to a
vote Of the people; in commenting upon
which, the Sacramento Unaon very sensi-
bly, remarks -
"The expense which would necessari-
| ly be incurred under the call for a Con-
vention would hardly prove less than
s125,O0o to s15O,OOO; the expense of
adopting amendments proposed by the
Legislature would be merely nominal,
and we could only estimate the addition
al time consumed by the body in perfec-
ting and passing said amendments, and
the cost of travelling.
We are not opposed to Convention,
but as between the two plans we prefer
that of amending through the Legislature
as best adapted to the immediate wants
of the people and the present condition
ofthe State Treasury"
A supplementary bill, making the leins
of mechanics preferred to mortgages and
other membranes, passed the Senate
on Tuesday.
An act intended to make the knowing
and willful extraction of gold from the
mining claim of another a misdemeanor,
was defeated. The principal ground Of
objection to the bill was that it substitu-
ted a penal for civil remedy, and placed
within the power of any one so disposed,
the means Of harrassing parties acting in
good faith This effect was denied, and
an effort will be made to day, says the
Union of the 2Sth, to reconsider.
On Saturday, the 9th instant, the As
sembly unanimously adopted resolu-
ton instructing the Attorney General
to commence the necessary proceedings
for increasing the penalty of the State
Treasurer, and also concurred in the Sen.
ate amendments to Assembly bill restrain
ing the State Treasurer from disposine
of any money in the Treasury.
These precautions were probably sug
gested by the singular proceedings o
DR.. Bates, the present State Treasurer
who has or pretends to have deposited
s124,0O0 to the charge of the Pacific Ex
press Co., to meet the July interests OF
California bonds in New York. DR.
, Bates may be an honest and honorable
man, but why not exculpate himself from
) the suspicion which naturally enough at
taches itself to his actions Our readers
will be pleased to know that the Legisla
, ture has taken cognizance of these trans
, actions.
Critic Ain our report of a crimi
nal examination before Justice Stinch
field last week, the following language
, was used -
t Until proven innocent &C."
, The exceptions taken to this, and ove1
which several of our readers have grown
merry, are that, the law requires proc
of guilt on the part of plaintiff, as defen
dant is supposed to be innocent until pro
ven guilty.
Our report was not designed as one Of
technicalities, nevertheless, as the defen
dant was bound over, conveying in thi
f act at least strong suspicion of guilt, we
do not as reporter, deem it amiss to re
, iterate that, "until proven innocent,
1..1 ,on,o ,,,o,,11 l>n <b<, ,,c<