Daily national Democrat., 1861-02-14
THURSDAY MORNING, FEB'Ry H.

THURSDAY MORNING, FEB'Hb I1'
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CITIZENS MEErING.-Thcre was meeting
of the citizens Of the city, last evening at the
CITY Hall, TO consider the Iropriety OF levy
ing a tax of $1,000 for the benefit OF the Norln
ernDistrict Agricultural Society Mayor Fow-
Ter was called TO the chair and Henry Bar
ret chosen Secretary. Messrs. Swezy and
Hatch spoke eoquontly in favor Of the oh.
iect sought to be obtained by the bill recent
" introduced in the Senate by Mr.. DeLong,
bnt Col Hatch contended that the interests
of the CITY we're not sufficiently guarded by
its provisions On motion of Mr.. Walker, a
committee of five was appointed by the chair
TO draft substitute for the bill, said com
mittec consisting of Mcssrs Walker, Packard,
Hatch, Mann and Decker. Mr.. Mann offered
a resolution to test the sense Of the meeting,
when it was found that they were unanimous
ly in favor of the $1,000 proposition. After
the committee retired, Mr.. Paxton offered
resolutions, requesting our representatives in
both branches of the Legislature to advocate,
and vote for, repeal of the law creating a
State Agricultural Society, and appropriate
ing $4,000 annually for its benefit, and to ad-
vocate, and vote for an annual appropriation
of $4,000 to each of the five District Societies
which center in San Jose, Oakland Stockton,
Sacramento and Marysyille. Messrs. Paxton
and Swezy advocated the adoption of the
resolutions Mr.. Aud moved to strike out
$1,000 and insert $1,000. An animated dis
cussion ensued between Messrs. Jcwett and
Aud, when the motion to strike out was neg
atived, and the original resolutions passed
almost unanimously.
The Committee then reported a substitute
for Mr. DE Longs bill, by which it would be
made the duty Of the Mayor and Common
Council to appoint three of their own num-
Der and three private citizens, to act in con
junction with the President, Secretary and
Treasurer of the Agricultural Society in re-
ceiving and appropriating money, DC, DC.
The city would hold the grounds and prop
erty in trust for the Society, and have CON
troll of the same, except during the fair ofthe
Society, and in case of the dissolution OF the
Society. the absolute title would vest in the
city. No officer or officers Of the Society
could mortgage or otherwise encumber the
property. The substitute was taken up by
sections, and, with one or two triiling amend
ments, every section was unanimous y adopt
ed A resolution was passed, requesting our
delegation in the Legislature to vote for the
substitute, and instructng the Secretary OF
the meeting to forward to them copy q
the same. The meeting then adjourned.
Foor RAcE-Qute an exciting foot race
came off yesterday, between D. +. George, OF
this city, and a young man named Riley
Vanderv COST, late of Sonoma county. Hear
ing that the race was to take place at the
Cattle Grounds, we started thitherward on
foot, being too late for the carriages which
had gone ahead in large numbers. just as
we arrived in sight of the crowd, it cOmmenc-
ed moving IN the direction Of the Hospital
From there it took an easterly direction
across the plains, and We in common with
some hundreds of others followed the advance
guard of carriages through all their evolu-
tions, failing to overtake them till they set
tied down at a dry place on the road, little
this side of the Cemetery, when We planted
ourself on soft cushion in Lamdin's omnibus,
and the race proceeded to come off. 1t was
for $50 a side, Riley giving George l5 feetin
125 yards Several outside bets were made,
some as high as $50 Not having sufficient
confidence in either party, we didn't bet our
money. Had we done so, we might, or
might not. have been astonished at the re-
suit If Riley can run faster than he did, he
certainly will do to bet on, when he lets him
self loose. AS it was, they made excellent
time, George beating Riley about 10 feet
and taking the stakes.
PARTY AT SEwELL's RANCH.-lf any body