Weekly Trinity journal., 1858-01-23
Our Legislative Correspondence.


Protection TO GrosOing Crops-T1e STATE Pris-
on - Controller - Pirate Secretary Speaker
Whaesides-Lieut. Coz H'aIkup-DeI Norte and
Klanaath-The Heather.
SACRAMENTO, Jan. Is, 1858.
review of the last weeks doings Of the Leg
islature does not reveal any very startling or
very important features of its action, but still
variety of interesting subjects have been broach-
ed, and their final disposition will be of impor-
tanee. The subject Of the late vote of the people
for and against Convention to revise the Con-
stitution, has taken a tangible FORM on the motion
Of Mr.. Burch, in the Senate asking for the ap-
pointment of Special Committee to take into
consideration so much of Gov. Johnson's Message
as pertains to this matter There was slight
desultory debate on The proposition, which how
ever does not indicate the opinions the Senate
will take on the subject, after hearing the argu-
ments on both sides some being in favor, appa-
renty, of an affirmative view of the popular vote,
believing that it legally called Convention
while on the other hand, equally sincere, there
are some opposed to that construction. The res
olution passed the Assembly without dissenting
voice, and the Joint Committee now stands on
behalf of the Senate, Messrs Burch and Griffith
on behalf Of the Assembly, Messrs Ely, Tuttle and
Holiday. A concurrent resolution was offered
by Mr. Holiday in the House, declaring that the
Legislature has no power, by virtue OF the Sep
tember vote to call Convention. 1t was mere
ly offered as a test to try the vote, and was re-
ferred to the same committee as the Governors
Message One thing strikes me as peculiar, and
that is the general unanHity of the members of
the Legislature on the propriety Of Convention,
and while they doubt the legality of the popular
expression, yet nearly all of them representing
all shades of parties and politics, warmly endorse
the Governor in saying that Convention is
needed by the State
Many important bills have been introduced
and among them one by Harvey Lee, of FL Do
RADIO, into the Assembly, entitled An Act to
suppress mobs, unlawful organizations. &c" 1t
provides that persons who shall exercise judicial
functions without authority Of law, or carry arms
after being required to deliver them over on the
demand Of the Governor shall suffer the penalty
of fine and Imprisonment in the State Prison, for
nesday, introduced an act to repeal the present
law concerning fhsotqent debtors. 1t provides
simple, and it is believed adequate remedy for in
solvents, in place of the present loose, vague and
indefinite law. 1t has been referred to the Ju-
dietary Committee. Mr.. Ferguson, of SaeFamen-
to, and Mr.. Phelps of San Mateo, have introduced
amendments TO the Attachment law, which com
pletely abrogate the present system The wisdom
Of this policy for miners is very doubtful for
while the cities and vallies, where population is
permanent and steady, is crying aloud for this
repeal it is noticed that the mountains, through
their press and representatives., are silent upon
it. Mr.. Phelps has also offered general law
regulating the building Of roads and highways
1t is admitted that present laws are defective in
creating roads, and a uniform system throughout
the State is wanted, provided it will work.
VIII any general law work viii law which
protects the farmer in the valley, suit the miner
who is delVing deep and perseverngly for the
shining gold A resolution was introduced the
other day into the Assembly, by Judge Stokes, of
San Joaquin, memorializing Congress to provide
for the immediate survey Of the public lands of
this State not already surveyed with a view of
reempton by actual settlers on the soil It
was opposed by Mr.. Briggs, of Amador on the
ground that such surveys would include the min
eral lands of the State, and thereby enable set
tiers to hold preempton claims in the heart of
the mines. 1t was urged on the other side that
the Act of Congress expressly exempts mineral
lands from survey, but the reply to this was con-
elusive and to the effect that it is well known |
that mineral lands have been surveyed, and thus
the title to the soil is placed in jeopardy. What
was intended by the author don't know but the |
effect of this resolution to some extent an in
direct recognition of the principle that mining
claims are real property, and thereby subject to |
taxation. The resolution was referred to Com
mittee.
The amendment of the present Chattle Mort
gage law in such way as to allow said mortga- |
ges on personal property to be recorded in the
office of a Justice of the Peace of the township
where the property is located, is asked for by
many of the mining counties. A bill to that eff /
feet has already been introduced into the Assem-
bly,, but whether it will finally pass or not is a
question. An amendment to the law protecting
growing crops from damage in mining counties
has been introduced by Mr.. Parker, of Calaveras.
1t refers to the mode Of arbitration The same
scheme was pressed by member from Calaveras
last year, and was successfully resisted by Mr.
Burch lin the Assembly, and others from the
mining counties. 1t has been referred to the
Committee on Mines and Mining Districts.
Joint Resolution was passed by both Houses
on Saturday, empowering Joint Select Commit |
tee to visit the State Prison at San Quentin, and
ascertain its condition, the treatment of the con-
yicts and prison discipline, and all other facts /
connected with the institution, and the working
of the present contract with General Estell. The
committee has not yet been appointed, but will
probably be announced to-day OF tomorrow
Gov. johnson has suggested in his Message that