The Placer herald., 1860-01-28
Disposal Of the 10Th and seth Sections Of
School Lands

u
Ballou, and in the House by Mr.. Beach-for
the disposition of The l6th and seth sections
of every Congressional township, being land
donated by Congress to the State of Califor-
mia for School purposes.
These bills, in the main, are nearly similar;
and both. we believe, have for their Object
the appropriation Of the proceeds from the
sales Of these lands to General School Fund
for the State. Bills of the same character
were brought forward last season, but they
met with defeat; and we think the reasons
are equally as good at the present time why
they should not pass. 1t seems to have been
the intention Of Congress in donating these
sections that the proceeds arising from their
sale should 60 to the support Of the Schools
to be maintained in such Congressional
townships, and this has been the desire of
many of our State Legislators, as we'll as
many residents Of such townships, in the
hope of more rapidly diffusing the benefits
of the Common School system throughout
the State. That it is within the power of
the Legislature to cause the proceeds of
these lands TO be placed in General Fund,
and the interest arising therefrom to be dis.
trbuted to the different Counties according
to the representation of their School children,
we fully admit; but at the same time we be.
lieve it would work injustice to the agricu.
tural and mining districts of the State
while the large cities would derive the great
benefit. 1t is easier and cheaper to main
tain Schools in San Francisco and Sacramen.
to than in the sparsely populated districts Of
the country, but yet, under the proposed law
the moneys would be divided pro rata among
all the school children. The cities named
we believe, maintain their sch >ols for less
assessment upon their property, without the
benefits of the General Fund, than the coun-
try districts can by having the full benefit
arising from the proceeds of the l6,h and
seth sections.
We have no jealousy against the large
cities of our State; nor do we wish to de-
prive them of any benefits to which they are
entitled; but we think, in all candor, they
can only lay claim to the benefit Of the 9th
and seth sections Of the townships in which
they are situated, or their equivalents.
1t does seem as if sound policy requires the
proceeds of these lands to be preserved for
the maintenance of the humble but useful
institutions of learning that may be estab-
lished where the educational wants of our
wide extended population may require; but
if the fund is consolidated, while the schools
of the cities will derive the great and imme-
diate benefit, the schools of the country as
in the past history of California, will be few
and far between, and slow in advancing be
ycnd the mere elementary branches of edu.
cation now taught.
We think we are right in saying the
School money from the 10Th and seth Sec
tons should not be placed in General
Fund.
New ALMApEN MINE.-Judge McAlis:er
has refused to dissolve the injunction re.
straining the working of the New Almaden
Quicksilver Mines, aud therefore the citizens
Of San Jose have become indignant, passed
resolutions, and sent petition to the Legis-
lature. Mr.. Williams, of the Assembly,
from Santa Clara, has also offered resolutions
in that body, requiring our delegation in
Congress to use their influence with the
General Government to stop legal proceed
ings in the New Amaden case and permit
work in the mine to proceed immediately.
This seems to be a strange procedure; if the
General Government has rights in the case.
they should be held as sacred as those of any
citizen; and we are sure if this suit were
between private parties, it would be con-
sidered a very extraordinary means to effect
the removal Of an Injunction in the way in
which the representatives and people Of Santa
Clara county are now attempting it.
The business Of Santa Clara county may
be injured to the amount of several hundred
dollars per diem by the stoppage Of this
mine, but ihat is no reason why the Gov
ernment should be deprived Of its rights
for single day. No not even to benef:
the New Almaden Company, or tho CON-
munity Of San Jose.
Loss OF CATrLE.-The severe frost expert
enced for some time past is resulting in
serious loss of cattle to the stock owners Of
the western portion Of this county. We are