The Shasta courier., 1858-04-17
SHASTA COURIER.
SATURDAY MORNING, APRIL II, 1858
The Ruling American Passion.

Thc Ruling American PASSION.
The ruling passion of Americans-derved in
a direct line from their Ango-Saxon ancestors
seems to be cracing after adjacent territories.
This characteristic is exemplifed by the practice
of the Federal Government, first observed in the
days of Thomas Jefferson, when Louisiana was
acquired. Since that period, the habit of reach
ing over the fence and gobbling up big lump
of neighboring territory has been growing, and
may now be considered fixed" Cuba and
Mexico will undoubtedly be the next illustra-
tions of the strength of this great national char
acteristic-which is occasionally exhibited by
States and Territories, and even Counties. In
support of this assertion, we may point to the
pretentions which California has so earnestly
made to the proprietorship of Carson Valley, and
to the indefatigable efforts which little Tehama
has so increasingly put forth in behalf of more
territory. g" am not big enough is an idea
which seems to be working upon her mind won-
derfully and fearfully. When about being usher
ed into life, her progenitors assured US that
hoops which would extend her skirts to the
Prairie House on the North, would be q satisfac-
tory" After awhile, increasing in strength, she
deemed hoops of that size entirely too circum-
scribed and that her fright great toe should press
the South bank of the Cottonwood and that her
skirts should extend sufficiently beyond to hide
the same from the rude gaze, &C. Her wish
was gratifed, and the centre of the stream was
made her Northern boundary line. In short
time after, she was taken with another fit of
" straddling," and didn't rest satisfied until her
left leg was stretched away across the Sacra-
mento river, and her delicate little Southern foot
was pressing the bank of Mud Creek-away
over in Butte county-much to the disgust of
Crosette, of the Record. Thus positioned she
stood content, until about two weeks since,
when she evinced disposition to q straddle"
yet little wider. This time her delicate little
Southern foot had an itching to press the bank
of Stony Creek. This desire was set forth in
petition, we learn by the last Beacon, and trans
mtted to the Legislature. Owing to I" bitter op-
position from Colusi," however, the petition has
not been acted on and q an intelligent gentle
man of Colusi" having written letter to the
De"eo', uchouuShS thC uiOfClucHt as plIiliCsl
and dishonest" that paper acknowledges the
corn by opposing the same.
Thus, being frustrated in its maraudng ex-
pedition against the territory of Colusi, by the
war-like front presented by that sterling little
county, these victims of nd-grabbing mania
turn their greedy eyes upon Shasta. They now
say, through the Beacon, their Northern line
should be extended further to the northward, so
as to throw into that county all the Cottonwood
settlement-and that Laffertys Ferry, on the
the county line to cross the river"
The only reasons urged in favor of this move
ment are, first, that Tehama requires more tar
able property in order to support good county
organization y second, that "Shasta county con-
tains population of nearly three times that of
Tehama,' and can therefore undergo this ampu-
tatory operation without much damage.
These arguments, friend Beacon, won't hold
shucks." Mere population does not increase
the fara6ie property of county. While Shasta
county has nearly three times the population of
Tehama, and is therefore necessarily subjected
to greater county expenses, Tehama has nearly
an equal amount of taxable property. If we re-
member correctly, the Tehama assessment roll
amounts toover one million of dollars. Put upon
that amount of property the same rate of taxa
ton imposed in this county, viz, So 10 on each
one hundred dollars of taxable property. and
you will have more than sufficient revenue to
support good county organization" if la,rfui
economy be observed by your Board of Super
visors in allowing accounts
Do this, o" grey-eye-greedy- y-gut-eat-all-the-
world-up" neighbor-cease violating that DOR
ton OF the decalogue which forbids YOU to coyet
your neigoors goods,-no longer cast your 1--WE
mean the editor ofthe Beacon's) unchaste glances
upon the fair Southern ankle of Tehama's elder
sister, peerless Shasta,-do all this. be yirtu-
GUS, and you will be happy" Otherwise we
shall feel it incumbent upon us to inaugurate
movement, having for its object the annexation
Of your entire county to the territory of Shasta
AILIrARy.-Naj- Mcdonald editor of the Trim
w Journal, has been enumeratine the list of
e''s'iofnia editors with military titles. The Ma
Jor innate modesty prevented him including his
own name in the list so we mention the matter
for him.
CosrLr.-Jef. Davis says that the Mormon
80 H. -