San Andreas independent., 1858-01-16
INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF GOV
ERNoR WELLER.
DELIVERED JANUARY 8, 1853.

State office. Notwithstanding | have some
experience in public affairs, that experience
will be of little service to me in discharping
the various and complicated duties imposed
upon the Chief Magistrate OF this State. That
can give satisfaction to all the generous friends
who placed me in this position, ! dare not hope.
That can reconcile conflicting interests, heal
divisions which exist among the people, and
steer the ship of State clear of all the shoals
and rocks which diseordant elements have
thrown in her track can scarcely expect
1t VIII, however, be my constant aim to ad-
ministed the affairs of the Executive Office in
such a manner as to advance the interests of
the State and secure the confidence and re-
spect OF honest men. Whilst place high
estimate upon the good opinion of my fellow
citizens, and am always proud to have it, no
one has less regard for what may be denomi-
mated popular clamor | may injure myself,
but the State shall not he shpwrecked during
my administration, if have the power to pre-
vent it. 1t is far more important that should
be right than that | should be praised and
therefore will do what conceive to be my duty.
at all times and under all circumstances, and
leave the vindcation of my character if as
sailed, to my acts and to posterity.
Every lover of republican institutions must
deplore the disposition, so frequently mani
tested by portion of the people in different
sections OF the country, to take the law into
their own hands, and place the regularly or
ganzed tribunals at defiance. Ours IS en-
phatlcally government of law, and that law
Is the essence of popular will, as expressed
through constitutional channels. In its exc
cution the sovereignty of the people is.mani-
tested. 1t may be that the law sometimes
fails to give adequate protection to person and
property, but the fault will generally be found
with the people themselves In many locali-
ties there is an unwillngness upon the part of
respectable citizens, actively engaged in busi-
ness, to serve upon juries; and, as a conse-
quence, irresponsible men, with no visible
means of support are entrusted with the
power of passing upon the guilt or innocence
OF persons charged with high crimes.
II, as is often the case, under these crcum-
stances, notorious offender is allowed to cs-
cape, the whole community is thrown into a
high state of excitement, and summary pun
ishment demanded. 1t is certainly disagree
able duty to be taken from ones business, and
be compelled to spend week or two in the
criminal courts, but every good citizen ought
to be willing to make the sacrifice when the
public interest demands it. These burthens,
however, should be as equally distributed as
possible. Elevate the character of your juries
by selecting them in strict conformity with
the law, and by imposing severe fines and
penalties upon citizens refusing to serve, and
IN my opinion fewer villains will escape and
communities will be less disposed to disregard
the forms of law and resort to violence.
Another cause of difficulty may be found
in the manner in which our judicial and min
isterial officers are elected Political parties
hold their primary meetings and present their
respective tickets. Because of the indifference
manifested by respectable men of all parties,
these elections are too often controlled and
governed by irresponsible men, whose patriot
ism is generally subservient to their pecuniary
interests. Ballot-box suffers, in the absence
of honest voters, declare the result, and men
without intelligence, capacity or integrity, are
placed in responsible Offices. All this might
have been avoided, if the people had attened
to what was strictly their business. 1t is pro-
bable that the present system ofselecting can
didates will prevail amongst us for years to
come, and in my opinion the election laws
should be extended to these ''primary meet
ings." The ballot-box in our system of gov
ernment is the medium through which the
people speak, and he who attempts to sthe
their voice, is an enemy to public liberty, and
should be treated as such. He posons the
public fountain, and corrupts all the streams
which flow from it. He places men in judicial
and ministerial offices in whom the cofnmuni-
ty have no confidence The Severest punish
ment should be inflicted upon those who strike
this deadly blow at free institutions
1t is not strange that the people of Califor-
MIA have sometimes been excited. even to
madness, by the conduct of their public func-
tionaries. The fact is undeniable that men
have sought Office in this State, nor from a
laudable ambition to be useful in contributing
to its greatness, nor from any anxiety to ac-
quire reputation and confer honor upon their
families or kindred but from sordid desire
to MAKE MONEY. The contest has not always
been who should confer the greatest benefits
upon the State, but who should gain the most
money out of his position. Their whole en-
ergies seem to have been directed to discover
some short and easy road to fortune. The
good old beaten track, which requires time,
toll, labor and industry has been abandoned.
politicians, having neither interest
nor sympathy with us, and wholly indifferent
as to the future character of the State, have
sometimes controlled its legislation, and by
their acts put money in their own pockets at
the expense of the public treasury. Wild
schemes have been devised, and special acts
passed in violation OF the rights and interests
of the people. This may not be a very plea
SAINT picture to look upon but in my judgment
is TRUE ONE, and therefore | choose to pre-
sent it. | trust, however, brighter era is
about to dawn upon our State
As the Chief Executive officer, it is made
my duty to see that the laws are faithfully
executed, and it is scarcely necessary for me
to say that the whole power of the State will
be used, when required, to protect the regu-
larly organized tribunals and maintain the
supremacy of the laws. This must be done at
all hazards.
The unsettled condition of our land titles |
has not only seriously retarded the prosperity |
OF the State, but engendered much ill-feeling
which has sometimes terminated in bloodshed. !
The Act of Congress of March 3d. 1851, was
intended, as its title imports, to facilitate the
settlement of land titles" but its practical /
result has been to retard Improvements, pre-
vent settlements, and, in many cases, to i'm
poverish claimants under Mexican grants
Many of those who held perfect titles, guaran-
teed by the treaty with Mexico, have been ru-
in ed by litigation with the Government in the /
Federal Court. Some of them, after seven
years war in our judicial tribunals, are fortu- (
nate indeed, if they are able to retain a moiety +
OF that estate which plighted our faith /
should be fully secured to them. The policy