The weekly Columbian. [volume] (Columbia, Tuolumne Co., Cal.) 1856-1???, 1857-01-10
The legislature Of 1857.

9Th inst, under circumstances and re-
sponsibilities of an unusual character.
The fate of California, to very consid-
cradle extent, is depending upon the ac-
ton of this body
"Upon the Legislature will devolve the
responsibility of devising the ways and
means to extricate the State from her f.
nanclal embarrassments, and to discover
and adopt some plan by which the faith
before the world-her debts frankly and
honestly admitted and re-assumed in a
.. way to restore that confidence in the civ
ilized world in her integrity which has
been so rudely shaken by late decision
of our Supreme Court. To accomplish
these desil able ends, we apprehend it will
be found necessary to practice the most
rigid economy in every branch of the
Government; to remodel thoroughly our
revenue law; to re-adopt, in some form,
our State debt, re-pledge the faith of the
State for its final payment, and make
positive and prompt provision for the pay
ment Of the inter est on her bonds, wheth-
er constitutionally issued or not.
In the way of retrenchment, one of the
first and most important steps is short
session of the Legislature. All the mea-
sures essential to the State may be per-
fected and passed inside of sixty days, if
the members will earnestly set them
selves at work to accomplish the business
of the session within that time.
AS compared with the preceding ses-
sion, that of 1856 reduced the cost of the
session about $50 900; the present session
should cost at least 100000 less than
that Of 1856. Such reduction will
greatly assist in bringing the expenses of
the State within her revenue, and will
give great satisfaction to taxpayers"
We cordially endorse the above sug-
gestions of the Union, as being sound,
correct and worthy the careful considera-
ton Of the Legislature, and which if acted
upon promptly, will make for the mem
bers of the present session, popularity
which is impossible otherwise to attain,
and which will secure for the, State a
prosperity which it cannot otherwise
enjoy.
We are fully aware Of the chicanery
and private intrigues that will be brought
to bear upon the actions of the members
of both branches of the Legislature, the
object of which will be to obscure the
truth and thereby consumate selfish
purposes; resulting in the prolongation
ofthe term of session and the preparation
of fraud on the interests of the State.
The Lower House is more liable to be
led astray, in this respect, in consequence
of the general inexperience of its mem
bers, and in order to avoid such evils, the
exercise of the utmost diligence is abso-
lutely necessary upon the part of each
individual member.
From close observation of the pro-
ceedings of Legislative bodies, we have
discovered that, members frequently en-
tail serious difficulties on their honest &C.
ton, by promises of reciprocation in the
passage of favorite measures, which pro-
misses are made between friends, without
correct knowledge of the nature of the
vote which is thus inconsiderately bar
tered. Agreements of this kind are fire.
quently made in good faith, which are not
only regretted when hr ought to the test,
but which also very often facilitate the
passage of bills both corrupt and ruinous
in their effects on the interests the pub
lie. With the utmost respect, we would
advise our Representatives to keep them
selves free from all obligations, coming
from whatsoever source they may; in do
ing which, though they may loose vote,
they will be untrammeled in their own
at times when such a vote may be most
needed.
In the passage of bills this winter, it is
desirable that every question rests upon
its own merits, and this will only be the
case when voters retain their own indi-
viduality, free from promises and recip-
rocal faith.
New QUARTZ VIENNA new and exceedingly
rich decomposed quartz lode, was recently found
at Browns Flat, between Columbia and Sonora,
by two or three Chilenos. The first day in
which they were fairly engaged at work, they
took out $4,000 in dust aud specimens, and on
the second day their labors were rewarded with
| the snug little sum of $4,000. This lode is
| thought by many to be one of the richest yet
found in the Southern mines. 1t is reported
AtA q