The Placer herald., 1862-01-18
SACRAMENTO CORRESPONDENCE.
SACRAMENTO, Jan. 9, 1856:

SACRAMENTO, Jan. 9, 1862.
Editors Herald:-I apprehend that if this let
ter proves as dull as the city has been during
the past week it will not be very interesting but
notwithstanding it may be weak reflex of affairs
here. No one can expect anything better so long
as the weather continues bad. We are now liv-
ing "on our own resources" which it is very plain
to understand, are not very extensive Local
trade is just the same as formerly. as men will
eat and drink as formerly. whether it is obtained
on credit Or with cash. But there is no business
of amount being transacted with the 'outside
barbarlnns 1--WE live in boats like the Celestials
about Hong Kong)-a few goods only going out
per railroad or by pack trains But the expen-
ditures by the members and attaches of the Leg
isaure will relieve the money pressure q little
but not essentially.
BAD WEATHER VERY CONSTANT.
Last Sunday another heavy storm set in very
unexpectedly, and il has continued to rain nearly
all the time since. The rivers, however. are lit
tie effected from the fact that the storm in the
mountains is more of snow than rain But such
weather retards all work for the protection of our
city, and renders what work has been finished IL
able to be of little use. The streets, too. neces-
sarly continue almost mpassible rs nothing can
be done to improve their condition so long as
they are daily re-fllcd by the heavy rains. Many
Of the cross walks have been rc-laid to hig
gradc-so high that they form good dams. and
prevent the passage of water and mud free from
one street to another. But we are getting ac-
customed to this state of things-strangers only
grumble.
| THE LEGISLATURE GRINDING.
AS you have already been informed through
the press the 18th session Of the California Leg
slature was opened on Tuesday by the election or
officers. othlng was done on Monday except to
qualify the members present In the Assembly
! Il officers his
sistant minute clerk. He held this position last
winter. and probably his success is owing mainly
to this fact. The Union Democrats with this eX-
ceptiOn, were entirely overlooked and 90 unre-
warded. In the Senate however. fusion" work
ed to charm, only it gave the Union Democrats
| two-thirds Of the officers. Hill and DeLong.
Senators and assistant. and House. assistant Ser
geanta-arms, and Hartman. copying clerk are
the Republicans who succeeded throug gh 'tusion''
not forgetting the President pro tenn Jas. Nc NJ.
Shaiter. Tom Hill is only one week from the
Custom House, losing his situation there by the
late order cutting down the clerical force. De-
Long is very clever Phelps Republican,, who
was set back last year by the Stanford party in
all his olitcal aspirations.
THE PERSONAL OF THE LEGISLATURE.
In taking a hasty glance at the members on
Monday. AS they were being sworn into office. l
formed favorable opinion rs to their abilities
Generally speaking. their personal appearance is
good and in advance of those heretofore occupy
ing their seats. In the Assembly. | saw but few
who were members last year. If these legisla
tors act well they appear, there will
be an Improvement in Legislation this session.
But it is best for me, in order to remain on the
safe side, not to form any extraordinary eXpecta-
tiOns from appearances-they are often. are
informed deceptive. Better judge them by their
print than by their beautiful blossoms and rich
foliage. This is scrptural.
THE RAILROAD AND CITY.
The Sacramento Valley r. r. Co. and Sacr.-
mento city and county. are likely to get into Il
long-winded litigation as to the location of the
railroad termin the Board of Supervisors having
ordered the Chief of Police to remove the track
below 9th street. The Superintendent IN counter
action has notified the President and members of
the Board Of Supervisors. that the railroad cor
poration will hold him and them responsible for
trcspass and damages if the said Chief of Po-
lice removes Il rail or otherwise molests their
property. Soyon see that njunctions and res
training orders will be next in order.
STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY SERIOUS LOSS.
The Office Of the Recording Secretary, 20. C.
Wheeler) is located in the basement of Agricul-
tural Hall. corner Of NJ. and Sixth streets. Here
tofore papers. books periodicals, cabinets. seeds,
etc. etc. were carefully arranged and kept. But
the flood Of the 9th ut., made sad havoc among
them. The rooms were filled with four feet of
water, which set everything ahoat, and conse-
quently nearly or quite all the rec r,ls, books,
etc. are destroyed
GENERAL. DESTRC CTION OF BOOKS, PAPERS ETC.
Throughout the city the destruction Of books
and papers has been very great. Paintings and
daguerreotypes, from the East, which cannot be
replaced, were destroyed in great numbers. Mu-
sic, too, comes in for her share. Hundreds of
planes aud other musical instruments have been
untuned. some of them forever. Maps, pencil
ings and fine specimens of needle-wOrk, by our
ladies, might also be enumerated in the catalogue
of the lost.
FUEL SCARCE AND HIGH.
Considering the wet. cold and uncomfortable
condition of the dwelling houses throughout the
ciy-the price of fuel is an important consider
alton. Before the flood of the 9th ult, good
wood sold on the banks Of the Sacramento at 81
per cord Since then the price has advanced
from day to day, until it has reached 10 and Sll.
This is an enormous price, and places the poorer
classes in rather short circumstances. 1t is ne |
cessary that an unusual quantity of fuel should
be used from the fact of the severe weather and
the dampncss OF everything about habta-
tiOns 1t is claimed by dealers that large
amount of wood has been washed away from the
banks Of the upper Sacramento, and that the
Wholesale price has been advanced to them. Be-
sides this the labor of delivering wood to all
| parts of the city has been materially increased
| by the bad state Of the streets
COSTS OF LIVING.
| The price of many of the substantals has adj
vanced several hgureS within few months.
Flour, potatoes, sugar, Coffee tea etc., have all
gone up. In ordinary times these advances
would not be considered worth noticing but
when. as at present, all business is dull, or at a
dead stand, the advanced prices are more ser
ously felt. If the wet season continues. as it
promises and signs indicate strongly, there will
be very hard times experienced in Sacramento
before Spring arrives.
THE CIIAPLAINCY.
The Lcpslature has oOne thrOuph the usual
farce of talking to buncomb" relative to the
employment Of Il choplain The Senate disposed