San Andreas independent., 1858-02-13

MR.. EDITOR :-Everybody has, this
week, been talking politics in the gross
or In the abstract Nine men out of ten,
who probably never have an idea beyond
the limits of impressionability, are, for
the occasion "up' in the questions of
Vigilanccism as it FUSED to was and
Sacramento Consolidation as it is to be,
pro or con, as their feelings or interests
prompt them. The question of the Wig
lance Committee of '56, as renewed in
the Legislature on the Insurrection Act
rcviving old inimicalities, is discussed
with all the vigor that passion imbues
the ardent with,-brag and ".vengcanceo
taking one side-defance and justification
the other-whilst those of moderate per-
suasions and temperament can't see the
use OF all the warmth of feeling and in
tenslty Of partiality exhibited on the SUBJ
Ject. The only other notable thing at
tachcd to it is, that those members sdown
on the Committee have studied their
speeches on paper before saying their say,
In the House, whilst those forming the
San francisco delegation and their friends,
speaking on the subject when in debate
this last week, seemed to lash around
them with an extempore whip that cut
pretty considerably, without regard to the
exact flourish the thong thereof made in
the air. As very agreeably exciting
amusement, that is all very well and very
pleasant, more especially as the weather
is SO fine and Strawberries are growing in
the open air near Sonora, in somebody's
garden. The only drawback to the amuse-
ment, is, that it don't amount to anything.
1t is like a thousand songs, any Of which
| might quote, being very good'' in its
way, but rather ridiculous if sung in bu-
siness transactions-many of the people
think. The author of the Bill on Insur
rections better go home, or else not trouble
with the Vigilance Committe
{" mob Bill' at all any more They seem
to think they didn't ask for it, and its
production entirely gratuitous-and that
instead of laurel crown, he is likely to
inherit cap with the smallest kind of
feather in it an1 bell attached
The Consolidation Bill of Sacramento,
referred to, contenplates many changes in
the administration of that city. Annull-
ing the charter of the city Incorporation
in forming new city and county govern
ment on a new plan, it also comprises the
reduction Of the still increasing debt, and
difficulties arising from previous expcndi-
lures, as also of the current executive
OUTLAWS. 1t proposes to re-capitalize its
enormous debt, at lower rate of interest
than heretofore, (and already, in conse-
quence, the bulls and bears arc at it.)
There is one of two courses, they say,
that the city of Sacramento must neces-
sarily pursue immediatcly-either to cen
solidate as above, or repudiate. There
are, of course, two parties, the capitalists
and the taxpayers. The tax payers say,
f." half loaf is better than no bread, =
take the reduced stock, or, the consequence
of refusal. Should the Consolidation
Bill of Senator johnson be likely to pass,
(and it is a very stringent, lengthy and
able document it will be necessary, l
think, to put in clause of appropriation
Of some 81 900 or sS, 900, to meet current
school expenses, or the city school houses
must be shut up.
Our amateur law -givers have been try
ing their hand at cobbling up the gamb-
ling act, so as to fetch rondo gambling
into game of chance Two separate
efforts have been politely made, to dodge
the smartness of the gentlemen of lei
sure;" the only result is that nothing, so
far, has been done or probably will be
done, until equivocations are settled, and
our District Judges are unanimously of
opinion that gambling is game of chance,
that rondo is skill or chance, as the ease
may be, but that rondo is to be done away
with whether it is gambling or not, for
that, it is presumable, is the gist of the
matter.
Suicides, as you viii be aware, have, Of
late, been the order of the day west of us.
4 transmigration of the disease was sud
denly manifest this last week in Sacra-
mento. Ipecac and Epson Salts, ga
stunning pizen," however stopped the
epidemic at the outset.
The question has been mooted, what
shall be done to stop the mania for sui
cides ?-(and it is proven by observation,
and that great source of information, sta
ties, that example in suicide is conta-
gious.) Some wish for legislation on the
subject; others have suggested that moral
may prevent it;-that a
knowledge of exposure after death, and
the gift of the suicidest to the faculty may
strengthen the weak 1t may be men
toned that the ancient Midnval law de-
MED the suicidest Christian a decent
burial. He was thrust ignominious' y into
a hole, and stake driven through his
body.
1t is the opinion of your correspondent,
that although deeply seated, the root Of
the matter is easily removable in great
measure. It lays in the fact that the tree
of human sympathy is very small in Cali
fornia-that the anchor of hope is very
small-that the cross of faith is very
that the rod of affiiction is the
I. r. ,t;l ond Uitbout ser