The Shasta courier., 1860-01-21


to yesterday evening.
Gov. Downey's Pit River War Message.
To the Honorable The assembly Of California:
herewith transmit for the consideration of
your Honorable body the report of Adjutant
General kibbe, with other documents relating
to the expedition commanded by him in sup
pressing Indian hostilities in Tehama and ad
joining counties, the aggregate expenses OF
which, according to the report, amount to the
sum of S69, ,468 43. While admit the necessity
which led to this expedition and freely
knowledge the eminent services rendered by the
officers and men composing the command. The
expenses, so large in amount, would seem to
demand a rigid scrutiny. If it be intended to
pay those expenses by direct appropriation of
money, few such will bankrupt the State Treas
ury ! recommend that the whole subject be
referred to committee with power to send for
persons and papers, with view to a thorough
investigation. We have now full Treasury
and are enabled to pay all immediate demands
upon it in cash.
II these appropriations are continued accord
ing to the precedent established at the last ses-
sion of the Legislature, Instead of being able to
reduce taxation, as recommended by of my
immediate predecessors, we will have to fall
back on the old scrip basis which proved so
ruinous to the State. Expenses of this nature
are legally chargable to the General Govern
ment and it would seem advisable to issue
bonds as evidence of Indebtedness against the
State, instead of a direct appropriation of mo-
ney. JOHN G.. D0WNEY
Sacramento JAM 49, $50.
1t will be observed that Gov. Downey ad-
mts the necessity for the expedition, and freely
acl cd tha 4
Nevertheless he deems it important to scruti-
nze the accounts rgidly. To this we heartily
respond. Scrutinize rigidy-cut down, lop off
wherever deemed just-but do it promptly
those who fed and clothed them while doing it,
waiting an undue time.for remuneration.
Gov. Downey, we regret to say, does not stop
at this point, but goes where fairness and JUS
tice do not accompany him, The men who per-
formed this service did it by the sacrifice of mo-
ney, or its equivalent, time. The persons who
supplied the expedition with the /" sinews of
war;" did it by expending hard dollars. Hence
we deem the recommendation in the closing
sentence of the Message, unjust and monstrous.
Inc tnlel Executive OF tue state may, IN over
zeal for the pecuniary interests of the State, go
too far. The honor of California demands, with
imperative voice, that her citizens shall not be
defrauded by the Government. Her Chief Ex-
ecutive officer called upon these men to do this
service, and pledged the honor of the State that
they should be remunerated.
We trust, then, that no mistaken ideas of
economy, may induce those now in power to
dishonor that pledge OF the State.
If Gov. Downeys recommendation is carried
out, these men will not get their pay for years,
maybe never. At the same time the State Trea-
sury, for over year, has had half million in
it lying useless to the State and to the world,
and has now on hand approaching million.
Would it be honorable for the Legislature to
refuse to pay the salaries of the State officials,
including His Excellency? Certainly not, and
not less honorable is it to refuse to pay for SER
vices rendered at the legal call of the Governor,
in protecting the lives and property of the citi-
zens of Shasta and Tehama against savage war
iare.-ED. CoUR.