The Placer herald., 1857-02-21
From the Mountain Democrat, Feb. 18th.
Mr.. Norman's Anti Monopolv Bill.

With but one exception, and that an un-
important one, so far as we have noticed, the
Democratic press have taken sides with Mr.
Norman in opposition to the California Steam
Navigation Company monopoly. The peo
pie everywhere, who have been taxed eXorbi-
family solely for the benefit of this monstrous
monopoly, demand that the Legislature shall
take some necessary and effective steps to
reduce its enormous profits. The "Californa
Steam Navigation Company" is too power
ful-has too much wealth at its command
for any opposition to contend against it sue
cessfuly. Opposition boats have frequently
been started, but the old company has always
bought them out, or run them off by reducing
the price of passage and freight The old
company now charge from Sacramento to
San Francisco, six dollars for passage, one
dollar for SUPPER and three dollars for 4
state room: start an opposition, and it would
take passengers for one dollar, and charge
nothing for supper and state room. 1t has
done so heretofore, and it would do so again
1t has a number Of fine steamers, which cost
an immense sum of money, lying idle at
observation-disclosures that were started in
opposition to it, but were forced to sell or
bankrupt their owners. The Democratic
party is committed-fully and unreservedly
committed-against all monopolies, and we
therefore expect the present Legislature to
show no favors to "Calforna Steam Naviga-
ton Company"
That the State Journal should be the
champion of the company does not surprise
us in the least. 1t is noted for its trucking
to wealth and power-for its want of indie
pendence, and for its advocacy of objection
able, anti-democratic measures. Its white
washing of COL Rowe, of DIR. Bates, the de-
faultng Known othing State Treasurer, and
the ''lnuch abused firm Of Palmer, Cook q
Co.," is a matter of quite recent occurrence
and not forgotten by the Democratic party.
A paper that would side with such men
could not consistently oppose the greatest
monopoly that ever cursed State. 1t could
not so far do violence to its feelings as to be
guilty Of favorng one just measure.
Among the Democratic newspapers that
have advocated the passage of Mr.. Norman's s
bill, are the Placer Herald, the Stockton
Republican, the Union Democrat, and the
Columbia Gazette, all prominent and infuen-
tial journals, enjoying the confidence of their
party and reliable at all times. We have
spoken to number of prominent Democrats
with regard to the bill, and we have yet to
find the first one opposed to it. The an
nouncement of its passage would be receiv-
ed with unalloyed satisfaction throughout
the mining counties, and it would 90 far to
strengthen the Democratic party. We want
to see the vote on it; we want to see the
members who will so far disregard the will
of their constituents as to vote against bill
so just, necessary and proper. Let the friends
of monopolies-the enemies Of the masses,
show their hands. Powerful as the 'Caifor-
mia steam Navi CATION Company" is, and
much as its enmity is to be dreaded, the peo-
pie are still more potent and their enmity
much more fatal. Corruption is not always
successful, and this the advocates of the
company will find out. We predict that
every member who votes against the bill will
be politically doomed.