Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1860-03-10
SineCures.

1t is contrary to the spirit and intent Of Re
publican government, that any man or men,
should be recipients Of official position and
emolument, without rendering quid pro goo
in services to the people Ofice-holding is, ut
best, far less respectable mode ofobtaining a
livelihood, than any avocation Of productive
industry and Office holders and seekers, as
classes, are positive evil in any community
or under any government Nevertheless, there
are certain offices indispensable to the admin.
iOtration of our public affairs, requiring the
consent Of q certain number of gentlemen to
fill them. We make due allowance for nil
such, but have no respect for men who seek
after, or obtain an Office, which is mere sine
cure.
We are induced to these remarks, at this
time, BY having observed an effort which is be-
ing made to establish q Marine Court in the
City Of San Francisco. The men who support
this measure, can be instigated thereto by
only one of two motves--by = desire TO be
written down, asses, being utterly ignorant Of
the facts in the premises, and therefore incom.
petent to the work OF legislation. or else they
are disposed to create sort Of official house of
refuge for some dilapidated legal "cuss," who.
failing to obtain comfortable subsistence By
the practice Of his profession, seeks such 81
mcclure, as an lark of safety - from obdurate
creditors and pertinacious duns. We happen
| to know the total lack Of necessity for Ma
rine Court, from past experience in connection
with all such matters as would properly be
within the jurisdiction Of such tribunal We
unquali6edy deny the proprie,y of the law
contemplated 1.-The oaly arguments advanced
in its behalf are, that speedy justice cannot be
obtained in Admiralty causes in the Courts
now having jurisdiction over them, and that
whaling ships would resort to San Francisco,
instead Of Honolulu, If Marine Court existed
here, to act summariy in cases Of desertion Of
seamen.
A simple statement OF facts viii disclose the
untenability Of the grounds assumed in favor
of the measure alluded TO-
The District Courts Of the State now have
full Admiralty and maritime jurisdiction. in
all cases where two hundred dollars and up.
wards are involved If the Justices of the
Peace have not the same jurisdiction in all
cases under two hundred dollars, let the pres.
ent law be so amended as to give 1t to those
officers. In that event, the evil complained
of 10 I'D f.r c.
Francisco is concerned, but the Justices Of the
Peace at San Diego, Santa Barbara, Monterey,
Santa Cruz, Sacramento City, Stockton, 30
dega, Humboldt, etc, would have similar au-
thority, and be capable Of afording similar re.
lief in their respective localities Suits for
seamen's wages have always been brought in
the United States District Court, and should a
Marine Court be established in San Francisco,
the United States District Court would still
retain jurisdiction over that class Of cases and
should Attorneys prefer going into the latter
Court, this Marine Court would have little or
nothing to do, but exist as a mere luxury, for
the enjoyment Of which, the people would be
compelled to fork over to the tune of 4S, 900
per annum. The fees in the United States
District Court, i'll the cases above referred to,
over which alone it is proposed to give Ma
rine Court jurisdiction, do not amount to four
hundred dollars per year. Should every suit
in such cases be brought in the Marine Court,
see the result -four hundred dollars in fees
paid in, and eight thousand dollars Of salaries,
hire of Court room &C., drawn out of the Treas.
ury. But aside from the cost Of the expert.
ment, look at the question in another light
Diiatoriness in Admiralty proceedings before
the tribunals now having jurisdiction, is al
lodged, as a substantial reason for the cstab-
lishment Of q Marine Court. What is the
truth? In the United States District Court,
the rules require ten days notice should be
given. after the seizure Of ship. before proc
lamation, condemnation, &c. If this practice
works . hardship, let it be demonstrated to
the Court, and undoubtedly change will be
made in the rules. 1t is entirely in the dis
cretion Of the Court to shorten the time Of
notice, from ten, to two or three days.
As to the desertion Of seamcn from whaling
ships, &C., how stands the casei On applica-
ton Of the masters Of ships, the United States
Commissioners land there are three ofthese Of
fcers in San Francisco issue a warrant The
deserter, if arrested, is brought up at once be-
fore the Commissioner II he is proven to be
= deserter, there is no appeal from the decis.
ion of the Commissioner; he is sent instantly
on board the ship from which he absconded,
and the costs Of the action are paid by the
United States Government, instead Of being
saddled upon individuals, or upon the COM
munity of San Francisco. No Marine Court
can be constituted, to proceed so summarily.
in such cases.
More might be said on this subject, but
enough has been asserted, to exhibit the in.
utility of the proposed measure, and if legis-
lators have . due regard to right, we expect
to hear no more of Marine Court or in 9th.
er words, of another sinecure to glut the greed
of political mendicants.
One hundred and seventy.six feet Of the
Ophir lead, Washoe diggings, was recently
sold in San Francisco for the enormous sum OF