Weekly Trinity journal., 1861-01-05
|rRINITY JOURNAL.
Legislators and Legislation.

y, Monday next the California Legislature
=, commence its Twelfth session. California
no compared with no State in the Union, ne-
h., can her Legislature be lkened to similar
j., IN anv one Of the thirty three States OF the
trn;oo California had no probation, no minori-
che sprang at single bound, by the all.pow-
.,nl motor gold-from an almost unexplored
r;derness into full-grown maturity. The great
acc Of her people, all intent upon "a yellow
,s, dug from the bowels of the earth, !" took
~ little interest in the formation of her organic
ot and, seemingly, less in the composition of
/ her early Legislatures. What cared they? Few
name to California to make home, but to get
4 hold to enrich adorn and beautify old home
,.ods away beyond the Sierras or sea-to glad
han The hearts of fathers, mothers, sisters, broth
,,s wives and sweethearts, to whom they would
.o,urn A home in California! Poh, nonsense
#Nbv the country in few years would be ex-
.ousted. worked out. barren wase-ft habita.
.on alone for Digger Indians and grizzly bears,
r. II TO be wondered, then, that Californians paid
10 little attention to her first Legislatures, or the
f inteIlIgeUCf CupubihuJ uhu hoHtsty VI ltBisld-
tOrs? Eleven years experience, however, has
! brought great change in the opinion of those
ubo came with the intention of only making a
Temporary sojourn in this magic land for fortune
making il is now believed our mines are mex
baustibe, and it is a demonstrated fact that our
horticultural lands are as fertile and productive
rs auy upon the globe. The restless spirits and
advenurers who first came hither, have either
bought scenes of new excitement in other eoun-
tries, or settled down into quiet contentment,
Ind the State is fast becoming staid, moral and
worthy member of our confederacy.
Il II is full time we began to be more particular
IN the selection of men to represent us in our
legislature. Heretofore, the question in many
Instances has been: "Who will accept the
ohcew Some good natured fellow, too lazy to
york without enterprise or brains sufficient to
bake living otherwise, or ready -witted de-
sgning demagogucs have stepped forward
profered their services as a patriotic Offering
npon the altar of their country been electe
ferved their short legislative term, made the
most Of it. proved their utter inability to fill the
position to which they we're chosen, and sunk
back into the obscurity from whence they sprang.
|Or by vote for some outra geous and disgrace
tul measure, gained few dollars, or place at the
Expense of all future reputation damned to
fame. We would not be understood to say that
.a former legislators are to be classed in this
category, hut that it has too often been the case
fn this gold d-fevered State. Many able, worthy
and good men have served in our Legislatures,
with credit TO their constituents, and honor to
themselves. AS California has become more
ftabic. her style of legislators and legislation
laye improved, but in these particulars she has
pot kept pace with her physical and moral pro-
gTess If any reflective man doubts this we
refer him TO the last Legislature. How, with a
moral and intelligent Legislature, could ever
two such measures as the Parsons Bulkhead bill
and the Libel Law been passed Yet those bills
lone disgraceful. the other infamous would
pave become laws, had it not been for the moral
Courage of an upright and honest Governor, the
post objectionable one beyond revoking partak
lng of the nature of contract.
! How few Of the old members of California
Legislature are returned? Rotation in office is
matters of legislation it works very badly. Let
hS see for agmoment: You elect new member
30 fhe Assembly in niue cases out of ten he il
pefectly innocent of any Legislative experience
a knowledge he takes his seat, and not being
sey anxious to make display of bis plentiful
*hd' of knowledge of parliamentary usage, he
flts quietly at his desk for the first half of the
Session. By this time he ina gines he understands
2]egislation pretty well F.; feels he must do some.
Thing, make some kind of an effect, to appear to
AbE constituents as of some manner of use in that
august body to which they have accredited him.
Pie commences with set speech, for or against
Some bill before the House, and when he is in the
EndSt of his argument, some old sager rises to
point of order. discussion ensues upon the
point of order the new member, not yet we'll
Nersed in practical legisla tive tactics, has the
worst of it, feels he is right, loses his temper,
says something unparlamen tary, and the farce
winds up by the speaker ordering the gentleman
Irom Hog Eye TO take bis seat. Finally, after
several similar scenes, and by dint of close obser
Nation, he is fairly master of the art of lcgisla
Stion, and-the Legislature ad journed. The few
soId members, whose constituents have had the
good sense to return them, have done most of the
business during the session. and the new ones
pave just learned how. When a member has
proven useful and worthy legislator, the very
pest and economical thing the people of his dis
tfct can do, is tn send him back.
"esihcefeiy nope that our present Legislature
may prove what California has the material to
make, and the right to expect-a body of high
'oned, honorable, intelligent men.
CLTMAx.-The editor of the Mariposa Gazette
Fent from home lately, aud thus his pro tenn
mentioned the fact
GooD BYE.-What ballowed memories cluster
eround that parting word, " Good bye" 1t falls
'fembngly from the lps of the aged mother as
Enc presses for the last time the hand of her SON.
Goodbye floats in softened cadence from the
rlmpled mouth of beauty, as she murmurs it
low and sweet" in the lovers ear. Good bye,
whispers the sister, as she breathes prayer for
'ne brothers welfare. Good bye, rings in the
\ lear manly tones of friendship, and the honest
grasp OF the hand speaks more than words can