Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1859-10-01


This county will be represented in the COM
ing Legislature by gentlemen who have long
been identified with it, and whose familiar
and intimate acquaintance with the require
meDts Of its people, should enable them to
lcgislate so as to promote the interests Of their
entire constituency. We cherish the hope
that they will do so, that they will faithfully
reflect the wishes Of those whom they repre-.
sent.
During the excitement and strife of the cali.
vass, our candidates could not bestow that at.
tcntlon upon the practical operation of some
Of the laws now In existence which their I'M
pOrtancc demands. But there are some months
Of quiet aud rest to clapse before the meeting
of the Legislature, and we doubt not but that
our delegation will devote those months to the
requirement of more thorough and perfect
knowledge Of the legislation wanted and de.
mandcd to advance our progress and prosper
ity.
Heretofore the time Of the Legislature
unfortunately has been too much engrosSed
by local measures and pirate bills, which
should not have been considered or promptly
disposed Of The members seem to have dc
voted threc-fOurths, at least, of each session to
private, speculative business, needless discus.
Sions and Senscless harrangueS. The consc-
quence has been that public measures, involv-
ing vast interests, laws which affected the
whole State, have been frequently loosely and
badly prepared, and passed without consid.
Grafton and reflection. We hear complaints
for instance, that none but lawyers can tell
anything about a number Of laws, and that
they construe them differently. We are told
that SO complicated are the requirements for
the settlement Of the estates of deceased per.
sons, that small estates are almost exhausted
in their settlement. The great expense attend
ing the collection Of the revenue. the unequal,
and in some respects oppressive operation of
the revenue laws, is another universal topic
Of condemnation.
There arc number Of other subjects which
we hear discussed upon the streets almost
daily, which concern the public at large, and
to which we trust the next Legislature will
give its earnest attention. So far as anv local
county questions exist, We ask Of the mem.
bers elect to fully inform themselves Of the
wishes Of the people Of our county, By visiting
and convcrsing with permanent and intrlli-
gent citizens in all parts Of the county, whose
interests are here. If they will do so, and act
accordingly, we shall be satisfied with the re-
result and their constituents will have no
cause to complain in the future In respect
to those questions Of more general interest, the
great objection seems to he, that the present
statutes arc too intricate and indefinite in their
detnilS They need to be simpiied.
Laws Of general character should he pub.
liShcd by the State in the newspapers, or in
some other cheap style and sold at cost. Much
litigation would be prevented by the more
general circulation of the laws among the reo.
pie. We have said this much upon subject
with which we do not profess to be familiar.
because it is one which has engaged the minds
Of all business men, and in the hope that at
this carly day it may direct the attention of
our members elect to the investigation Of the
real legislative wants Of the people Of the State
and County.
The Legislature will he strongly Democratic,
and the Democratic party will be held rcspon-
Siblc for all its acts, and we therefore hope
that it will so conduct public affairs as to re
fleet honor on itself and credit on the State.