The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1861-05-04
conRresslOnsl Election.

COAgressIOnal Election.
The bill pcHding in the Legislature,
authOrixinga special election for Congress-
men, is a very foolish measure. by It,
the people will be put to expense for two
elections this year, instead Of ont, when
no possible good can be accomplished by
the additional expenditure. The only
argument used by the advocates Of this
bill, is the necessity that exists for = rep
reSentatiOn Of California in the extra SEES.
sion Of Congress- which has been called
by the President. Under the Proclama.
ton Congress is TO meet on the 4th Of
July. Whatever that Congress docs, will
be done speedily. A large majority Of its
members are already chosen. II will be
almost unanimously Black Republican in
its character, because few or no Southern
members will be present Whatever the
Black Republican party deems proper to
do, will be dene and the voice of Cali
fOrnia would produce no change in the
programme. 1t Is safe to assert, that the
most talented and eloquent delegation
which could be sent from this State, could
not influence the action Of Congress in
its treatment Of the grave questions which
will be- presented to it. Those Of its
members already elected must be almost
unanimous in their views, in whichever
direction they tend. II there was any.
thing like division Of sentiment, it would
be we'll to have California representatives
there. But as matters now stand. her
representatives would be pOwerlcss for
good or evil. Besides, it is not proposed
that the special election shall he held car
licr than the 2Sth Of May. If so soon.
IL the general election law is amended,
/ 81 that returns may he male IT, the sScc
rotary of State more cxpcditiouSly than is
now required; with justice to the people
-i~o weeks at least should intervene, be
tween the day Of election and the issuance
Of certificates to the successful candidates.
Otherwise, there are many precincts IN
different counties whose vote could not DC
calculated in the result; and it might well
chance, in a closely contested election,
that certificates would be issued to par.
ties who would he found, upon fair com
putation Of the whole vote, not TO have
been chosen by the people. Too much
haste, in this view Of the case, would be
n criminal disregard Of the popular rights.
Suppose the election to transpire ON the
29th Of May-allOwing any reasonable
time thereafter, for the receipt Of the re.
turns by the Secretary Of State or other
proper officer, 1t would bc impossible for
the congressman elect to leave here be-
fore the 2lst Of June. They would then
reach Washington too late to participate
in the action Of Congress on the important
matters to be considered. For who sup.
poses that Congress will be in session two
weeks, or ono week, beiDrc all decisive
steps are taken, when civil war is raging
or on the eve Of breaking out?
In addition, these congressman would
be chosen for two years, and the people
should have ample time to canvass their
individual merits, as well MS to investi-
gate the principles they propose to repre-.
sent. Before the general election in Sep.
tcmber next, there may be vast changes
in public affairs, aud the popular will Of
California Of today, or Of next month,
may be directly adverse to the popular
will in September. But Notwithstanding
mutation, Congressman miSreprcsenting
the public opinion Of the State, could not
be changed until September, 1868. Under
such circumstances, and in view Of the
additional eTpense Of special election,
falling upon people already terribly tax.
ridden, We hope that the Legislature will
reject the bill to which VIC refer.
:1N- Since writing the above, we find that
the bill provides for the special election t" come
Of TN the ll'h day Of June, which renders il
still more impossible for the members elect to
reach Washington in time to be Of service tn
the State-and greatly strengthens our reason.
ing against the measure.