The Placer herald., 1860-06-16
The CatOS.

birth of our Savior. There were a number
Of Catos during the period Of the Roman
Republic and Empire; they were the foun-
ders Of the great Porcian house of Rome.
History mentions some eight of them who
figured during period Of one hundred and
| fifty years. OF these, Marcus Porcius Cato
was the first and most important, as he was
decidedly the meanest. He affected severe
morals = lived on parched peas, sinking
meat and drank cold water. He degraded
his rivals whenever he had power. The la
dies will form more correct idea of him,
when the historian informs them, that upon
his accusation one Maniius, brother Sena-
tor was expelled, for kissing his o,cn vitei
He had some learned scholars dismissed
from Rome because they we're introducing
the Greek language into their academy-.a
refinement he was not equal to. On his ac-
cusation, Scipio Africanus, the conqueror OF
Hannibal, was banished from the country he
had saved. His whole life was one continued
bro--either in accusing some one of mean
ness, or being himself on the defense for
some of his dirt. He was fifty times up, un-
der indictments. He wrote work on farm
ing in which lie advised the agrculturists of
Rome "to sell worn out iron implements, old
slapes, sick slaves, and other odds and ends
which are of no further use on the farm. y
The biographer remarks of him that he was
a stern, hard headed, obstinate, nearly one
ideaed man." that he was unable to under
stand ",hat anything could be right unless it
coincided exactly with his own prejudices, y
also that 'he had no refinement, and there
fore hated, and would, if be could, have pre-
vented all refinement" After these compl-
mentary remarks of the historian, we may
safely conclude, that it is to the reputation of
this man and bis family, that we may trace
the origin of the modern English word Cal
hf"-so expressive of the order intestine.
There were three of the same name, descend
ants of his, remarkable only for being mar
red two or three times each, and dielng in
fat offices, except the latter, who is supposed
TO be the father of fifth Marcus Porcius
Cato. This man became noted as public
speaker at Rome, took sides with Cicero
against Caesar and when by his impatience,
and bad advice, and general dctatorial sway,
in the councils Of his party, he brought de-
feat upon himself and party friends, like
great bull calf, and in pure cowardice of the
future, he committed suicide. After this the
name did not flourish much, until in more
recent years, it has become quite common
among 'colored pussons,' which class it was
supposed possessed the undisturbed monop-
oily of it, until the last two issues of TIE PA
Ger Courier.
The last of the Catos is about to prove
himself worthy of his ancestry, for ignor-
ance, prejudice, meanness end falsehood,-
For example, he says, SIS it the true policy
of State or county, to take stock in corpor-
ations! is it sound policy, or is it the interest
of Placer county, to subscribe Sl5OOOO
stock, to this soulless corporation, and there
by increase her present large county debt, by
embarking in speculation with Il corpora
ton? This scheme of fraud and chcanery,
brought forth in sin and inquity, when strip
ped of its paralogsm, and set forth in plain
English, reads thus: Your present county
debt is $4,000, vote for this scheme, and in
crease your county debt O,0oO subscrip-
ton to the Railroad; add the $4,000 to be
subscribed by the corporation Of Auburn, and
your county debt will be s240,OOO. On the
100000 you are required by the Enabling
Act, to pay per cent. which will amount to
$4,000 interest, to be paid semi-annually.
These bonds are to run 20 years from date.
The interest for twenty years, AT per cent.
amounts to the sum of 1920 900, to which
add the debt or principal 100000 and the
debt and interest, for the 20 years, will foot
up $52O,OO0. This is the true picture for
the voters and tax payers of Placer county
to look at
Here we have the proof First it is false
that the county is asked to subscribe sl50,o0o
to the stock oil any one or any two Railroads;
secondly, it is false that the county debt is
now $40, 900 in debt; thirdly, it is false that
subscription by the county as proposed to the
crease the county debt $3.50, 900; fourthly, it
is false that the $4,000 subscribed by the
town of Auburn can ever become county
debt; filthy, it is false that the interest on
the subscriptions proposed to the said rail
road, or to all the roads put together, will
ever become $4,000 per year; sixthly, it is
false that the indebtedness proposed for all
the roads (if they should carry) with the in
terest added can amount in twenty years to
S52O,OOO.
This is specimen of the last of the Catos
If he perseveres, he will turn out a passa-
bic liar.
WooL.-The Sacramento Union saws
wool continues to come in for shipment TO
San Francisco, where it is assorted and for
warded to New York. The last quotations
Of California in that market, are % and