The Nevada journal., 1860-01-06

zeps everywhere the endowment of their rights
regardless of birthplace. | think that the remedy
would be attained by the enactment oil law
empowering the President, on exhausting aiplo-
matte measures, to obtain the release OF our
citizens, to declare differential duties on the
vessels and cargoes of the offending nation, or
to embargo their vessels for limited period-
The knowledge that such power would De
used, would prevent foreign Governments rom
asserting the pretentions OF whlch we cohi-
plain.
CIVIL FUND
must again call the attention of the Legisla-
ture to our claim against the Federal Govern
ment on account of revenue collected from our
citizens prior to our admission into the Unon-
This is Just and equitable demand, ana II Is
hoped that payment will no longer De aelayed.
The balance due on this account, as stated by
nv predecessor, was two million seven hundred
and six thousand five hundred and twelve dol
lars and thirteen cents. Had this fund been
paid to us upon the organization of the State
Government, asit should have been, our finances
never could have been seriously embarrassed
The discovery of gold, in lS4s, threw at once
into California an immense number of immi-
grants from every portion of the civilized world
The acquisition of wealth absorbed the thoughts
of all The scramble for gold commenced, and
but few of the restraints of civilized society were
felt or observed. Americans, however, who had
been accustomed to Constitutional Governments,
soon saw the necessity Of an organization to pro-
tect persons and property. Military rule was
incompatible with their ideas of civil liberty.
The Convention which assembled the succeeding
wear adopted a Constitution subsequently rati-
fed by the people,, which made provision for
the meeting Of the Legislature in that year
Without revenue system, with an empty treas
ury, and without the means to carry on the state
| Government, the Legislature authorized the Is
| suance of bonds to the amount OF three hundred
thousand dollars bearing interest at the rate Of
| Z tbraa n m
expenses Notwithstanding the enormous rate
of interest so little confidence at home, as well
| as abroad, was reposed in our resources, that
these bonds deprecated, and were sold in our
market as low sixty cents on the dollar
| Although we had untold wealth, yet 1t was OF
such a character that it could not be reached by
taxation 1t was in the soil, and when extracted
the larger portion of it passed directly out OF
the State. The necessaries of life were enor-
mously high, and it was difficult indeed to de-
wise a revenue system which would meet the
wants of what then must necessarily be an ex-
pensive Government. For series of years the
| expenses were allowed to exceed the receipts,
and, as a consequence, large debt soon accu-
mulated. Instead of that economy which pru-
dence demanded, the widest schemes were de
vised, and Legislative spectators were allowed
to plunge the State still further into debt. The
salaries of public officers were fixed at high
rates, and of course, scramble for them COM
menced A large number of patriotic citizens,
who preferred the and quiet of office 10 toll
and labor, were found ready to accept them. AT
the end of six years the good people found them
selves incumbered with debt of some four mill
ions of dollars, and all of this over three hun
dred thousand dollars was contracted in direct
violation of the Constitution. All that we can
show to the world for this debt is badly con-
constructed Prison and a tolerably respectable
Insane Asylum-both of which could now be
erected for less than four hundred thousand dol
lars.
The Supreme Court having decided that the
debt was unconstitutionally contracted, in 1857,
under the Act of the Legislature of that year,
the people were called upon to assume or repu-
diate it, Notwithstanding the treasury had
been literally robbed and the property of the
State shamefuy squandered by public agents,
the people by majority of forty thousand six
hundred and ninety-one, upon popular vote OF
seventy-fo thousand six hundred and thirty
( one, assumed the debt and directed new bonds
to be issued. No one acquainted with the char
acter of our people ever doubted the result But
it is useless to revert to the past except TO draw
lessons which may be advantageous to us i'll the
present and future,
Rigid economy in the Legislative, and indus
try, ability and integrity in the Executive and
Judicial Departments, will soon relieve California
from her financial difficulties and give her the
proud position to which her inexhaustible re-
sources entitle her.
! HOMESTEAD LAW.
Section fifteen of article eleven of the Consti-
ton provides that the Legislature shall protect
by law from forced sale certain portion of the
homestead and other property of all heads of
families
Under this clause the Legislature hy Act of
April lst 1851, exempted from forced sale the
+ homestead consisting of quantity of land with
dwelling house, and its appurtenances, not ex-
, ceedng in value the sum of five thousand dol
lars That clause in our Constitution was
adopted for the protection of the family.
Unfortunately for the State, the easy manner
in which the marriage relation has been dissolved
has resulted in serious injury to the welfare of
minor children, and unless Legislative action be
had for the purpose of securing the homestead
to the actual head of the family, the moral effect
of that tie will be further lessened.
The married man, from prudential reasons,
| ought TO have this property set apart and duly
, recorded in compliance with the provisions of a
law making this requirement
: From various causes, however, of business,
! absence or other motive, he may neglect to do
so. As the object sought to be obtained by the
| constitutional clause Is one Of most benetcent
character, it is suggested that the wife, in GER
tain cases, on petition to the District Judge,
ought to be allowed TO have the record made
, | and the property at once set apart for this pur-
pose, and a sale of the homestead should not be
permitted with her consent in writing, made before
judicial officer This subject is of much Importance
and hope that IT will receive your earliest and most
r earnest attention.
, RESOLVES,
During the past year this department. has received
sundry resolutions passed by the Legislatures of some
of sister both North and South, upon the sub
iect of slavery in the Territories These resolves have
been requested to transmit to you. As cannot per
ceive that any good whatever could result from dis
cusson of this question al present. have declined com
q plying with their request We have institutions here
which suit u.s. and If neghbors less fortunate
they change them whenever it suits their conven
ience The fact be apparent to all that the agita
ton the question of slavery has engendered feeling
between the North and South which threatens the
stability of the Government. Recent occurrences of
most unhappy character in of sister States have
produced an Intensity of bitterness both North and
South which forces the patriot who loves the Union tC
indulge in gloomy forebodngs as to the future Thai
tie of affection which other days bound closely
together has become weakened and loosened That en-
larged patriotism which controlled and governed
the people Of the respective States is circumscrbed
within sectional limits and consequence the afec
ton which they felt for the Union has become ser
ousy impaired To maintain that fraernal spirit which
alone can hold us together becoming more and more
difficult each succeeding year. and serious apprehensions
are now entertained the permanency of the Union
Although vigorous efforts have been made from time Ia
keep ths question of slavery out of politics, all
have proved unayaing II is folly to shut eyes and
console ourselves with the belief that there no danger
That which whispered in the most secret places
Is loudly proclaimed and boldly discussed IN open
I day.
For more than forty years. commencing with stealhy
steps one portion the Union has continued to assault
the institutions of another and in the meanwe new
generation has come upon the stage Of action carry
the principles deeply impressed upon their minds by
e their fathers Taught in their Schools churches and
theaters to regard slavery accursed thing and
thew who participate In of niquty who vio
late all the laws of humanity, they are ready to act
upon these principles and pursue them to their let
mate sequence know that there is still strong con
seryaye element among u.s. but this grows out of the
fact that portion Of the generation educated without
sectional preudices and taught to love and venerate The
. Union still lingering among US. But in few Year:
they will have passed away and institutions will bt
in the hands of those who haye ceased to respect