The Placer herald. [volume] (Auburn, Placer County, Calif.) 1855-1991, 1859-08-20
Constitutional Convention.

men, who are stumping the State IN the pres
ent canvass, have taken, that questions Of mo-
ment concerning State policy are being me-
glected--and that this is eminently true
concerning the Constitutional Convention
measure is but too plain. In our estimate
this should be the most important topic in
the canvass, but unfortunately it seems to
have been crowded out of sight and out of
mind. 1t is to regretted that question SO
full of interest, and bearing directly upon
the general welfare, should be so easily push
ed aside for matters that offer no present or
remote good to the State.
1t ia now time the Convention had hear
ing. Will the people Of California vote for
or against a Conventions We believe, if
they arrive at proper understanding of the
question they will vote for it, By careless
ness. or failure in the different counties to
have the words "For Convention" printed
upon the several party tickets, the measure
will certainly fail; on the other hand, should
these words be printed, a Convention will
carry by many thousands. Judging from
the sentiment Of Placer county, we would
sly that seven eighths of the voters of Cali
fornia desire new Constitution. And as a
further evidence of the popular feeling, it
will be recollected that but few votes were
recorded in the last Legislature against the
act recommending voters to vote upon the
measure at the coming election. In view of
these facts, the conviction becomes strong
that if the Convention fails this year, it will
be the result Of neglect, not opposition.
In Placer county it is the understanding
"For Convention" will be printed upon all
of the tickets. Cannot the same be done in
other counties? To the mining counties it
has become a necessity, not long to be
avoided that the judiciary system should lie
remodeled in order to simplify, and Thereby
reduce the enormous expensas of our county
governments. Under the present system
more than one-half of the expenses of mi
ming counties arise from the criminal busin-
ess. Long and unnecessary delay occurs be-
fore criminals can be tried. In the mean
while they remain in our jas at great cost to
the taxpayers. Again the system imposes
the performance Of jury duty to an extent
unknown in any other State, which operates
as a severe and burdensome tax upon the
hundreds who are compelled to perform it at
great personal inconvenience and expense.
These things are susceptible of vast improve
ment. The way to improvement is by
new Constitution, and that we must have
to effect any change for the better.
Will not the press of the State take up
this subject before election day? 1t is of far
more consequence to the people, the men
whose pockets are heavily taxed for the sup
port of government, than the details of the
Senatorial contest of 81. The one is init
mately connected with the future prosperity
of the State, the other is neither profitable
or pleasing to discuss.
NEW D1cG1Ncs.-Placer diggings, that
prospect from four to five cents to the pan,
have been found and are being worked on
the Sacramento river, twelve miles above
Red Bluffs.
N- The Grand Jury has been in session
all week. The full result of their labors have
not yet been made known.
re- COL Baker, Republican nominee for
Congress, speaks to night at Michigan Bluff,
and at Dutch Flat on Monday night. The
Col. will not find the Republicans and
Brods in Placer, acting in the same loving
concert as he did in Ell Dorado. 1t is our
belief that Col. Baker is trying to sell out
the Republicans. Whether he can make
good title of them over to David, we are
not yet prepared to say.
ES- The startling intelligence of few
days ago, that British vessel of war had
made an attack upon the American forces
upon San Juan Island, in Puget Sound, and
killed some thirty persons, turns out hoax.
The British and Americans there are living
upon the most amicable terms.
PINE GRovE.-A large number of citizens
assembled at this place on Tuesday evening
last to hear 1t. Gov. Walkup, S. T. Leet, our
our candidate for the Senate, and S. w.
Lowell, one Of the nominees for the Assem-
bly, 1t was an interesting meeting and gave
satisfaction to those present
LARGE MELoN-We thank our friend S.
B. Wyman Esq, for the present on Thurs
day, of the largest watermelon we have seen
this season Il wainhad 80 lbs md ,ras