New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-01-29
SUMMARY OF NEWS FOR THE PAST
FORTNIGHT
From tn. Alta California j

TIE STATE.
Since the departure Of the steamer Of the Goth Dec,
the country has been unusualy qule' ana Tree from
events Of an exciting character. 80
The principal topic Of interest has been, and, until
seted, will continue TO be- tue Senatorial eIccuOn'
There is a great degree OF solioitdde ana anxiety
among politicians, and curiosity among Gil Glasses 10
know the result.
The Legislature will assemble at the capital on Mon
day. 5h inst and it is supposed, will organize amos.
Immediately az there is not likely TO be any contest
for either the Speakershp Clekshp of the Assem-
bly, or Secretaryship of the Senate which Will all be
promptly settled in caucus by The dominant party:
The first business will be the election OF tao United
Skates Sepators-one to succeed Mr. win and serve
The six years term from the 4th Of March, 1870, and
one 10 succeed Mr.. Weller, and serve full term from
the 4th Of March next. The principal csnddates are
Messrs, Gwin Weller, Latham and Broderick. The
result is exceedingly doubul-the friends OF each OF
these wpirants as well as Of some dozen more, being
very sapgune; but there is literally nothing upon
which any one can base safe calculation and 1t Is not
Improbable that the selection will eventually be made
from men no now mentioned iD connection with the
subject and it may be that there will be no election al
al.
The publication of the Presidential Message here has
not excited ally comment in any quarter. We have
scarcely known any previous mt sage from Chiet
Executive to attract SO little attention. On the other
1havo -.-~s S.c Susiety tlaulN oioI
know the line Of policy 10 be pursued by new Adma
stration than is now felt in relation to MI. Buchanans
and Of the quid nuncs have oracuary LAID down
The programme of our national career from the 4h Of
March next.
The excitement which existed at the time Of the de-
parure OF the last steamer concerning the State debt
has died away whatever uncertainty may have been
felt ut the time having yielded to the unanimous sen
tpent that the decision of the Supreme Court imposes
no obstacle legal moral to the prompt and taithiu
payment OF every dollar. bill has been already
framed and will be introduced at an early day OF the
session of the Legislature to refund the debt and sub
NIT Il TO vote Of the people, IN conformity with the
requirements Of the Constitution The bill viii pass
by q vote almost, if not quite, unanimous; and when
hafo tho nannla there hn OppOsltlOn
but ell men, Of every shade of politics will nulate
the exerons Of each other In its advocacy OF course
the refunding and constutionahzng OF the debt VIII
not render il any more obligatory upon us TO pay II
but It will satisfy the holders OF our securities that
there is no disposition the part Of California to
avail bsreef of her violation of her own laws to
avoid the payment of money which she obtained con-
tIayy TO her Constitution.
Some excitement has been created by the discovery
Of system of pecuation on the part OF the Treaurers
Of of the counties, and other officers charged with
the collection Estate revenue in paying to the Treasury
deprecated State warrants instead OF the cash received
by them from taxation. II Is supposed that this frau
duent practice has been general and that the State ss
well ss tai payers, has been wronged out of large
amount. legal proceedings have been commenced
against officers in some cases.
The weather for the last fortnight has been favor
able 10 the mining interest large quantity Of rain
and in some districts heevy SHOWS, having fallen The
Indications are of prosperous season.
VIA. Arlington struck A. Chisholm blow with his
hst, on Christmas Day, near Sacramento, from the
Nathan Cotte was hanged in AmadOr County, last
week. for the murder OF K. S, Cole in January last:
A psper.mil is to be erected in Marin County. The
Company have an ample capital.
THE CITY.
Our municipal affairs are somewhat disordered, in
consequence Of the perempory change from system
Of policy to another nauguratd by our new city Gov
eminent. The reckless, hap hazard way in which
everything has heretofore been done-the prodgal
waste of the public funds and the creation of debts for
every tpecies OF service rendered the city, have been
suddenly checked and the consequence is inconvs-
RieDtly and embarrassngly felt in our dark, muddy
and dispidated streets But we are not getting any
deeper into debt neither the funds squandered any
longer; therefore, we may hops to get out OF our diff
cnes, and bring order out of confusion and economy
The heaviest snow. storm ever known here-if not
h fact, the only one-occuTred Monday the 2lth
nit. The snow fell probably for an hour or two, and
covered the SUBMITS Of the hills adjacent TO the city
The Contra Costa range Of mountains were covered
several nuhes deep, and the snsw has not yet entirely
disappeared
TIE city was visited by severe gale Of wind and
heavy rain on the night OF the 30h The waters of the
bay were greatly agitated but damage of q serious
character occurred to the shipping
There were sxty.three fires In the city during 1856;
hs Sos $780, Less, we believe, than during any pre-
vious year since 1854.
Under the present charter the expenses Of the City
Government have been decreased s725,s1 in six
months.
There has been Temperance Society organized In
The city recently under very promising auspices Many
esdiDg citizens have taken an active part IN the move
neuk
An ordinance Is pending in the Board of Supervisors
10 close ell drinking houses at II o'clock at night;
another proposes to close them on Sundays.
Mr.. Fleming the trsgedisn, played short and sue.
ceesful engagement st the American Thester last
wesk.
TIE Fourth District Court has ordered dividend of
i've esnts on the dollar to be psd to the creditors Of
Adsns d c., from the funds in the hands Of the Re-
setve1
ksnovaD, the pedestrian, undertook TO draw ruAy
- miles in hffy.eght minutes over the Pioneer Race
Sserse, for bet OF 500, on Christmas Day. de lost
&e bet.
There were seven thousand turkeys sold 10 this city
~ Cnhstmas dinner
gtl 40