The Placer herald., 1859-04-16
Report of the State Prison Committee.

duct in the management Of the State Prison
by 1t. Gov. Walkup, reported on Monday
last. The Committee were quite success
ful in obtaining dirty little charges made by
men of unenvable notorety in California,
and combining them together in their report
as facts proven. We have not the space
this week to publish this report, and other
matter which should be connected there
with, but will at another time 90 into this
thing in detail, and endeavor to place it in
its proper light.
But we say now, that this Assembly re-
port shows upon its face an attempt TO ad-
vance the iniquitous claims of Estel and
McCauley upon the State Treasury at the
expense of the reputation Of Mr.. Walkup,
the only man who ever conducted the State
Prison with a strict regard to economy, hu-
manity and discipline. Under his admins
tration the Prison has been supported for a
sum far below what the most sanguine friends
of reform anticipated. Every dollar of the
States money used by him at the Prison has
been strictly accounted for as the facts will
show.
A through ventilation of this whole State
Prison business, (and we want and demand
it to be completely and entirely ventlated)
will show that Joseph Wakup is entitled to
The unreserved commentator and esteem Of
the whole people Of this State, for an eff
cient, honest, and practical government of
the Prison. The facts are in existence and
can be shown to the confusion of those who.
vaunt so loudly of corruption to cover their
own deficiencies. When the official charac-
ter of Mr. Wakup is called in question by
such men as Estell, McCauley, and Graham,
who stand pilloried before the people of
California by the State Prison Report of last
winter, it is time to call for further evidence
before pronouncing Judgment.
And what estimate are we to place upon
Legislators appointed fairly TO investigate
the charges against Mr.. Walkup, who 90
beyond the duties ass gned them, to express
their approval of McCauley's former admin
istration of the Prison when the State Pris-
on Report of last year is fresh in the minds
of men, with all its horrible details of soul
narrowing sentences of the enormous wrongs
perpetrated under this same McCauley?
What must we think of this Committee, when
Immediately following their denunciation of
Walkup and whitewashing Of McCauley,
comes the moderate proposal from Estell and
McCauley to the State, to take $4,000 in
payment of their claims and call the ac-
count square? Put these facts together and
ponder upon them. Do they not force the
conviction, that Mr.. Walkup who has earn
ed an enviable reputation in social and po-
itical life as man of answering honesty,
is to be sacrificed to further the ends of
Treasury leeches? 1t looks so 20 us, and
will be so regarded by every one who knows
the man well. Certain political aspirants
may not be altogether bameless in the affair
we will not charge hastily. We are will
ing to do them justice if deserving or to
sound the war slogan if guilty.
The charges of the Assembly Committee
against Mr.. Walkup are serious--if true, he
deserves to be banished from public place
and confdence--if false he will obtain
frmer regard in public estimation, and his
defamers sink deeper into the mire they have
long been walowing. Let State Prison af-
fairs be shown up then to the light of day
lay bare every fact that the guilty may re-
ceive their condemnation, and the innocent
their reward. We have no fears of the re-
suit for Mr.. Wakup-he has proven pure
metal in the days when corruption was at a
premium-he will not fail now, when integ-
rity has obtained to confidence and respect
in the State.
TIE PARAGUAY DIFFICULTIEs.--Late news
from Paraguay renders it quite probable
there will be no hostilities between the Unit
ed States troops and the nation of Lopez
The latter, notwithstanding all his previous
bravado, seems anxious to accept the proffer-
ed mediation of Brazil. The next news
will probably be that Lopez has concluded
to pay damages and make a new treaty
Pity his petty government could not receive
a drubbing first.
PoLIrIcAL BioGRApny.--A correspondent
of the Weekly Patriot last week gave the
political history of Joe Scobey, with deal
too much accuracy for the comfort of the