Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1860-01-21
Wanted to Know.

We we're in the Senate Chamber when the
Standing Committees Of the Senate were an
nounced, and were somewhat surprised, on
hearing the announcement, thatan old, indus.
trious and experienced Senator had not been
placed upon one Of them as Chairman. For
some unaccountable and wholly unjuSti6able
reason, which needs explanation, he was treat
ed most shamefully. Common courtesy, to
say nothing of precedent and fairness, should
have induced those who made up the commit
tees, to tender him the Craftsmanship Of the
most important committee. II was due to
him, not more for his efficiency and expert
ence than his steadfast adherence to the Dem
OcrAtic party. He had presided over the SEN
ate as President pro tenn. the session before
certainly ably and impartially, and given uni
verSal satisfaction. He had served his con-
stituents in that body two sessions honestly,
faithfully, crcditably, and they showed their
appreciation Of his worth, standing and SER
vices, by re.nominating him for the same po'
sition and elccting him by an increased major
ity. He received larger vote than his col.
league, and enjoys, to the fullest extent, the
confidence and esteem Of the Democracy Of
Ell Dorado. He is one Of the most useful and
industrious members Of the Senate, always in
his scat, attentive to business and faithful in
the discharge Of his duty. And yet this old,
true and tried Democratic Senator was rudelv,
to use a mild term, thrust aside, and the place
belonging to him by right, by courtesy, by
decency, given to another, Of less experience
if not ability. Why? There must be some
reason for it, and those who treated him thus
unjustly owe it to themselves to give some ex-
PLANTATION OF their indicate and ungcnerous
conduct.
Col. Dickinson deserves consideration ut the
hands Of the Democratic party. In its dark
est hours, when the weak, the tin,id, the TIT
principled deserted its ranks, he stood manful
ly by it-unwavering in his attachment to it,
ardent, bold and unremittng in advocating its
principles. His course in the Senate has been
strictly consistent and honest, and no man
can impeach his Democracy. Now we ask in
all seriousness, without consulting him, why
those who made up the committees treated
him thus shabbilyH Why thus gratuitouS
~ cast reflection upon worthy and esteem
ed Democrat the peer Of any Senator, the su
pcrior, in point Of capacity and experience, Of
not few? What act has he committed, what
duty neglected, what rule disregarded that he
should be placed at the tale end OF two unim
portant committees? Had envy, or jealousy
or revenge, or littlencss anything to do with q
transaction 60 common and so c0urtc0Us?-
Why were Senators who had given no cvi
dcnce Of fitness for the position they aspired
to,-and we know several who boosted that
they were on committees some days before
the announcement was made in the Senate, -
given the preference over Col. Dickinson? Is
it not customary, in making up the commit
tees, to consult the old presiding officers
when they belong to the same party? We
think it is.
We heard OIL senators condemn, in the
most unmeasured terms, those who had been
instrumental, as they supposed, and not with
out cause, in arranging the committees. They
had served with Col. Dickinson and knew and
appreciated his worth, experience and probity
and they felt mortified to see an old and hon
ored associate unjustly treated. If it were
done for the purpose of throwing a suspicion
upon his Democracy, or injuring him with his
constituents, or Of impcaching his honesty OF
ability, it has most signally failed. We hope
10 be able at no distant day to rcbuke tn,
petty malice of his enemies, insignificant as
wc know some Of them to be.