San Andreas independent., 1858-02-13
Debate on the Anti-vigilance Bill.

v
Committee question, has at last beer
tossed into the political arena, by an in
consIdcrate and over-sanguine Reformer
MIR. Lee, of El Dorado. His Bill fol
the suppression of mobs, &C., introduced
into the Legislature, gave rise to bitter
feelings and an animated discussion, OPEN
ing new issues and old sores, which will
lead to endless discussion. 1t is strange
that a great and popular party should
now advocate measure which they failed
TO meet III former times, and had not the
courage to advocate. Even the friends
Of the bill admit this, as is evidenced by
the speech of Mr.. Briggs, which was
lengthy and very able. The correspon-
dent Of the San Francisco Times, Febru-
airy TN, thus refers to the discussion
The last twenty-four hours have been quite
exciting, inside the capitol, and yet it has cooled
off as bright and beautiful, this morning. as
the hoiest patriot could wish The debate on
the anti Vigilance Committee Bill. which com
menced yesterday at noon, was kept up all the
afternoon-Mr. Burbank following Mr. Lee in
an able speech. Mr.. Briggs, of Amador, fol-
lowed, and really his speech was a remarka-
BILE one-remarkable for its eccentricity-ta-
king all sides of the question, cutting both
ways like two edged sword-raking Demo-
Gratis, Republicans and Americans all alike
now admitting that cause did exist for Vigi-
lance Committee in San Francisco, and then
charging it home upon the morbid state of
society there. In one breath he said he was
in favor of the general principles of the bill,
and in the next that it was inexpcdient to pass
it. and that it fell to the ground by the force
of its own dead weight. He said that the
Vigilance Committee was a great evil and that
Democrats were towards in not responding to
Gov. Johnson's call. But the speech of the
day was in the evening (excuse the bully by
Mr.. Holiday of San Francisco, who tore the
bill to pieces in detail and then as a whole,
said it was a monstrosity unworthy of this
century. His facts were well read and over
whelming. Even the State Journal, to-day,
says it was logical, elegant and happy effort,
and far above the himsy hfalutin, school-boy
efforts so common on the floor. This morn
ing the House took up the matter again when
Mr.. Lewis moved to postpone it till next We'd
nesday. Mr.. Sherwin moved to postponed it
indefinitely, and said he was opposed to any
more discussion on this obnoxious measure
1t was not worth the while. Mr. Ferguson,
of Sacramento, said he wanted to hear discus
sion, and proposed to take part in it himself
Mr.. Stafford thought the bill had not single
redeeming feature, and he was against it
The motion to postpone till Wednesday pre-
vailed.
The utmost interest was manifested yester-
day afternoon and evening, pending this dis
cusson, and there is one thing worthy of no.
tice: while Mr. Holiday was speaking, and
scathing the parties expatriated and executed
by the Vigilance Committee gang of rowdies
assembled in the lobby, and were heard to say
that he, the speaker ought to be shot down in
his tracks. But when Mr.. II. defied them, or
any member, to say aught in contravention of
his charges that these men were rogues,, "not
a sound was heard nor q funeral note" in re-
sponse. These are the individuals who dress
well, and foist themselves upon society as de-
cent men. This too, is the style of Democracy
Mr.. Parker alluded to, in his fancy speech, un-
der the name of good Democrats"
The correspondent of the Alta says, in ref
ercnce to the discussion:
" You are aware that the Mob-law Bill in
troduced into the House, will be again up on
Wednesday next There seems to be little in
terest excited by the debate. Although when
ever it is in full swing people will be attracted
to it in spite of themselves. Even the carcass
of the Vigilant Lion breeds bees of honey still.
No Sampson could cope with it when alive
every donkey desires to kick it now that it is
dead"
On Monday next a contest will be had upon
the subject of taxing mining claims, that mat
ter having been made the special order of the
day for Monday next. This morning motion
was made in the Assembly to add two MEM
bers to the Committee Mines and Mining
Interests, from agricultural counties. The
proposition was finally voted down.
The water lot matter has been dropped for
the present, but | learn that a bill will be in
troduced next week to authorize the Governor
and Secretary of State, aud Controller, to sell
this property, thus taking practical step to
take away whatever title the city ever had in
this property. 1t is proposed to credit the 20
per cent paid to the State upon the bids of
parties at the next sale. If the Board of Su-
pervisors do not take active steps for assert
ing the rights of the city and county to this
property, it will fade away before their eyes,
like the mist before the sun, and all the mag
nificent profits that were to go into the County
Treasury from the settling up of the old sale,
and the proceeds of a new one, will never be
heard of
MEXICAN KILLEp.-For some time
past gang of worthless Mexicans have
been harboring and fandangoing" near
the South calaveritas, filling up their in