The hydraulic press., 1861-05-25
CAUSE OF GRATITUDE.

/ severe, when we say, from the bottom of our
heart, in all imaginable sincerity, that we think
this event much more worthy day of thanks
giving and praise, than the memorable occasion
observed by James Buchanan.
| What has this body done? 1t found public
Treasury in healthy condition, and left it de-
pleted. 1t has passed over five hundred acts =
enough to swamp twenty States, each five times
as large as California! 1t has revealed the fact
that California possesses some citizens-and
they of sufficient prominence to hold legislative
positions-who are base enough to swear fealty
to the Constitution, while their utmost efforts
were exerted to destroy it. 1t has suffered
State officer, its Secretary of the Senate, its
Chief Clerk of the Assembly, and its attaches,
to swindle the State out of thousands of dollars,
while it was wrangling over distractions, and in
dulging in abusive personalities. Its influence
has been demoralizing. 1t has continued in ses-
sion longer, at greater expense, than any of its
immediate predecessors, and accomplished little
of nothing of permanent good.
Let us look, for moment, at the manner in
which it has transacted its business. A commit
tee is appointed to investigate certain frauds al
legged to have been committed, and the Chairman
comes in with this kind of report and resolu-
ton:
Mr.. Vance, from majority of the Commit
mittee appointed to investigate and ascertain the
amount of copying, ETC., reported that after
thorough investigation the Committee had found
that the amount of copying amounted to S., ,494
10; the amount paid for the same by resolution
Of the Senate, SIS, 8,407 il; showing deficit of
NJ III
evidence before the Committee, they were salts
fled that neither the Committee on Public Ex-
penditures nor the Secretary of the Senate were
| aware that greater amount of copying had been
paid for than actually done, and what wrong
had been done had been caused by unintentional
neglect on their part. From the evidence it ap-
peared that S. Wittgenstein had received more
for his services than he was entitled to. The
Committee informed, also that third parties
held certificates or drafts for a portion of the
amount, and that the State had no honorable
way of avoiding the payment of said claims.
The Committee recommended the passage of the
following resolution:
"Resolved, That the Controller of State is
hereby directed to withhold his warrant for any
part of the said amount which is not in the hands
of third parties at the time"
"Most lame and impotent conclusion! !" Be-
cause the fraudulent claims have passed into the
hands of third parties, therefore the State must
pay them This is whist legislative committee
says, and what the Senate of that Legislature
indorses! Now, does any one suppose that
Wittgenstein would not Immediately dispose of
his certificates for the amount allowed him,
knowing them to be fraudulent, as soon after
getting them as possible, for fear of detection
And because he did so, thus committing dou-
BILE act of villainy, would any sensible man for
moment contend that either legal or moral
obligation rested upon the Legislature to pay
them? The resolution adopted actually indorses,
invites and encourages fraud.
How beautifully the Committee on Public Ex-
penditure and the Secretary of the Senate are
whitewashed. "What wrong has been done has
been caused by maintentional neglect on their
part" says the investigating committee. Would
such an excuse that serve the sentry who had
been caught sleeping at his post, while an enemy
was invading the camp? The report and resolu-
ton are both ratification of villany, an outrage
upon the people, and a disgrace to the State.
| But, as crowning act of reproach to the Leg
| islature which has just closed its labors, the
President and President pro tenn. of the Senate
both mysteriously deserted their posts, the latter
on the last day of the session, as is suspected,
with view of defeating all subsequent legisla-
ton. Mr.. De Long said:
"There was something strange about this
movement. He understood the Senate clock for
some reason had this morning been put fifteen
minutes ahead, and that the President pro tenn.
| was actually here before eleven o'clock.
| Mr.. Irwin stated that his watch was the
same as the Senate clock yesterday to-day, by
his watch, he was in the Senate chamber four
minutes past eleven"
Take the body all in, it has contained less ag-
gregate talent, effected less good, done more evil
and wasted more of the public money than any
of its predecessors for several years past. Let
every good citizen, therefore, utter pious aspe-
ration, since its session has drawn to close.
| CLUB MEETING.-The Union Club will hold
its usual weekly meeting in the old Theater
building this evening, at u o'clock. A large at
tendance is requested, to devise measures for
| celebrating the Fourth of July.
| A LYING CoMPLIMENT.-Just previous to its
adjournment, the Assembly passed the following
complimentary resolution:
"That the thanks of this House are due and
| are hereby rendered to the Hon. r. Burnell for
the efficient, dgnifed, impartial and courteous
manner in which he has discharged the duties of
Speaker during the present session."
With all due respect to Mr.. Burnell, who in
the private walks of life is said to be an excel
lent and worthy gentleman, we must dissent from
the falsehood contained in the resolution. 1t
was owing to the notorious incompetency and
ineficiency of the Speaker, that the session of
the Assembly long protracted, its daily
sittings so turbulent and uproarious, and that
the unrestrained use of personal and vindic-
tive epithets was allowed, to the lasting dis
grace of that very undignifed body. 1t may
be, however, that the resolution is intended to
convey satire, in which case, it may be re-
garded as a most "palpable hit"
AMBRoTYPEs.-Mr. r. Desmond has opened
picture gallery in connection with Mr.. Aug.
Wettig, two doors west of the Sierra Hotel, up
stairs, where he is prepared to accommodate the
public with ambrotype likenesses.