The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1862-01-18
1n.uEnr.l Aaare.. o. Gov. ss.afera.

IN the political character OF the new nd
ministratiOn from that of it's predecessors,
there seems to be, in assuming the re-
spOnsibilities Of the Chief Executive OF
the State, a special fitness that should
observe the custom which has heretofore
obtained, and give brief exposition Of
the general policy that will govern my
administration.
The Constitution enjoins upon the Leg
islaturc TO encourage, by all suitable
means, the promotion of intellectual, sci
entilic, moral and agricultural improve
ment. In aid of all these, shall regard
it as my imperative duty to cooperate.
1t is the policy of the General Govern
ment, as it is of the State, to encourage
settlements upon lands belonging to the
public, and in furtherance Of such policy,
liberal inducements ore offered. Yet, un.
der the rulings of our Courts. the settler,
who has gone in good faith upon private
lands, not segregated, surprising them
to be public, and in fact even when upon
the public domain may yet be dispossesS-
ed by one whose only claim is that he
owns land within boundaries that include
the property in question. THAT person
who owns or claims but one league OF
land, should be able to hold, control and
dispossess others from hundred leagues,
is not only manifestly unjust to indiVidu-
ais, but is also TO the greet detrimcnt Of
agriculture and the settlement and devel.
Opment of the resources of the State.
cannot but think that some legislation
should be had whereby the settler, who
in good faith has gone upon private lands,
not segregated from the public domain,
under the suTlj,n,non mat ne " MS 1Ocaled
upon lands belonging TO the Government,
should receive such equitable protection
as the state is able to give.
While the settlement Of our State is Of
the first importance, the character Of
those who shall become settlers is worthy
of scarcely less consideration. To my
mind it is clear that the settlement among
us of an inferior race is to be discourage
by every legitimate means. Asia, wifi
her nuMberless millions, sends to OuI
shores the dregs of her population. Large
numbers of this class are already here,
and unless We do something early to
check their immigration, the question,
which of the two tides of immigration
meeting upon the shores of the Pacific
shall be turned back, will bc forced upon
our consideration when far more difficult
than now Of disposal. There can be ne
doubt but that the presence Of numbers
among US Of degraded and distinct pco
pie must exercise a deletcriOus influence
upon the superior race, and to a certain
extent repel desirable immigration. 1t
will afford me great pleasure to concur
with the Legislature in any constitutional
action having for its object the repression
of the immigration of the ASiatic races.
The subject Of overland communication
and the protection of immigrants from the
Atlantic States has ever engaged the at
tention Of our people. The importance
of the subject has not been lessened by
time. Upon the nature of our overland
communication with the older States may
depend the course of the great and vastly
important trade Of the Eastern world
In this connection | desire to call atten
ton to the importance of steam conmu-
nication between California and Eastern
Asia, whereby the whole course Of our
treasure shipments would be probably
changed, aud, in paying the debts due
from the commercial world to this far.oil
land, the course of exchange, instead Of
being against US, would probably be in
our favor. And, in case Of war with a
maritime power the importanc, of an es-
tabliShed line Of American steamers be.
tween California aud Asia could not be
over estimated. | think, therefore, We
are fully warranted, independently of con
sidcrations connected with our overland
communication, in calling the attention OF
the National Government to the necessity
Of such line Of steamers to the country
at large as well as to California.
Within a short time, the Territory Of
Nevada has sprung into great Importance
her vast, unievelopcd wealth will attract,
and give employment to, an immense
population of Industrious and thriving
people, inSuring her brilliant and impor-
tant destiny. From California, she will
nccesSari derive the most of her sup
plies. The most difficult link Of the Pa.
ciilc and Atlantic RaIr 'ad which must
pass through this Territory, lies in this
State.
II is not necessary at this late day To
go into u general argument to prove the
importance Of railroad connecting the
Pacific and Atlantic coastS--cSpecialy
now, when its military necessity is 80
much more than ever apparent. allude
to il chiefly because think the time has
arrived when, in consequence Of local bu-
sineSS, the most difficult and important
part Of the work can be accomplished
without direct pecuniary aid from the Ma
tional Government. May we not there
fore, with the utmost prOpriety, even at
this time, ask the National Government
to donate lands and loan its credit in aid
of this portion of that communication,
which is OF the very first importance, not
alone to the States and Territories west of
the Rocky Mountains, but to the whole
Nation, and is the great work Of the age ?
1t cannot have escaped the attention of
those who are familiar with the timber
regions of the State, that there is a great
and unnecessary waste of our stately for
estS. 1t is doubtful whether these lands
or the timber upon them, can ever be of
any considerable avail to the General
In consideration of the vast
to our State that the timber
should be preserved from waste, if deem
ed desirable, it would not, believe, be
asking too much Of the General Govern.
mcnt, to solicit from her the ceSSion of
those lands. therefore respectfully sug.
gest to the Legislature, for consideration,
the propriety of petitioning the National
for the ceSsion of its propri-
etary right in those lands, the proceeds of
which, when sold, to be devoted to the
Of education and the support Of
elecmoSynary institutions and works of
improvement.
No one, think, who has carefully con-
Sidered the subject, would desire any dis
turbance of our present system of mining
laws and regulations, save only as they
may apply to those races whose settle
ment among us is not desirable. 1t might
therefore be well, to prevent a possible
agitation of the subject, for the General