The Placer herald., 1857-02-21
Our Sister States-Troubles in Illinois and
Indiana


Both branches of the Illinois Legislature
are Democratic. On the organization of
this body on the 9th inst, the Fusionists
kicked up quite row in ali effort to organ
ize the House themselves. They decreed
in causus to have the old Fusion clerk call
to order, and thus give him power to recog-
nize whom he pleased as members, shutting
out, of course, Democrats from the several
contested DISTRICTS enough to give Fusionists
a majority. and elect their Speaker. The
clerk, Bridges, tried it on, but on motion of
the Democrats was put out of the House
"a ct arnais and the Democrats had things
their own way.
A more ridiculous Republican farce was
enacted on the organization of the State
Senate of Indiana. The Fusionists, who
have small majority in that body, hearing
rumor that Lieut. Gov. Willard, the legal
presiding officer until his successor is quail
fled to take his place, was going to reject the
certificates of several Republican members
whose seats were contested, aiming to secure
majority in the Senate, and then 90 into
joint Convention and elect two U. S. Sena-
tors, took the alarm and attempted to organ
ize the Senate without Gov Willard.
They got a Speaker pro tenn into side chair
and went on with two seperate organizations
awhile, but finally caved in, and all but two
recognized the Governor as the presiding
officer.
Great people, these Repubicans.-IIow
quick this Union would 90 to the ID under
their control
New STEAMSHIPS FOR THE Pacific COAST
Early next summer, there will be placed in
the trade on the Pacific coast, the largest
steamship that has ever foated upon the
waters of that ocean. She is at present
building by Stephen G Bassert in the West
yard, at the foot of Houston street, New
York, and will register about 5000 tons.
The only approach that has been made to
this among the Pacific steamers has been
by the Golden Age, Of 2,4oO tons. The di-
mensions OF the new steamer are as follows:
Entire length on deck, 325 feet; length of
keel, 3l5 feet breadth of beam, 43 feet
depth of hold from the spar deck, 80 feet
She is diagonally braced with heavy iron
straps, each of which is fastened at the head
to brace which surrounds the ship at the
height of the main deck, under the clamp.
Her floors and futtock timbers are of white
oak, top timbers of tamarack, is planked
throughout with white oak, and celed with
yellow pine plank, which tapers gradually
from II inches at the bilge to six inches at
the main deck clamps She will be pro-
PEELED by one single beam engine with 90
inch cylinder and II feet stroke, now bull
ding at the Morgan Iron works, and it is
confidently believed that she will have boil
er surface sufficient to generate any amount
Of steam required; this being the point
where so many steamers have failed. Her
guards will be constructed in such a manner
as to afford facilities for promenading, sell
dom enjoyed in sea going vessels, and good
ventilation is secured by means of large side
ports and high airy between decks SO that
taking everything into consideration, she is
calculated to combine great strength and
speed with those invaluable qualities to steam
ships in a southern lattude-roomness and
ventilation. She will be launched sometime
in March, and will be ready for sea in the
month of June.
The keel Of new steamship, 26S feet in
length, whose breadth of beam will be Al.
feet, and depth of hold 80 feet, is now lay
ing by the same builder for the same par
ties, Chas. Morgan d Son, and she is inten-
ded for the California trade. She will be
built on the same plan except that inasmuch
as she is intended for the Atlantic service
she will not be furnished with the same i'm
proved guards and side ports
Mr.. KANE's health from the last accounts.
was extremely precarious. The physicians
at Havana, seem to despair of mis- life, and it
was doubtful if he would ever leave the is
land. On the voyage from England, he was
struck with paralysis, and it was the effects
of this new and dangerous disease that so
suddenly reduced him TO so low q condition