The Shasta courier., 1862-01-25


too much. The Governor, Treasurer and Con-
troller should be Board of Directors for
this institution, and it should otherwise be
reformed 1t is mortifying to learn from
the remarks of the Resident Physician that,
Notwithstanding the vast appropriations here
tofore made for the establishment of the In
sane Asylum, and the high hopes entertained
of it by the good and the philanthropic, he
fndsit now ga miserable failure"
THE STATE PRISON
Has been frightful source of trouble and
expense. However economical the manage
ment may be, the expenses swell into great
proportions. The Directors have hired out
portions of the ninals to labor at such
employments as do not come in competition
with our own mechanics. This system has
only been inaugurated, and when carried
fully into effect the prisoners will sustain
themselves. The expenses Of the Prison
have been greatly reduced within the past
two years, and with better accommodations
can be reduced to still greater extent.
THE STATE GEoLoGIsT
Reports synopsis of progress. The sum of
S35, 900 has already been appropriated to this
work; and the estimates for continuing it
another year amount to $50, 900 more. 1t is
for the Legislature to say whether the State
can afford to continue it at the cost.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
In his report recommends codifcation of
the laws, and the Governor indorses it. The
Supreme Court Reports last year cost the
State 10000, and the Reporter has the
benefit of the copyright. The Reporters
salary should not exceed 81, 400, and he
should have no interest in the copyright.
THE SURVEYOR GENERAL
Sends in a report full as usual with valuable
information. Some change should be made
in the law providing for the sale of swamp
lands, so as to allow the frontage on rivers to
be enlarged when the interests of the State
shall require it.
THE RECLAMATION ACT
Has been in force some time. but not an acre
has been redeemed. No district has been
reported in which the people have raised
sufficient funds to reclaim it. Some $50, 900
have been expended in preliminaries, but the
Governor can sec no benift that has been de-
rived from the outlry The farmes along
the river know as well as any engineer the
hight of bank necessary to check the over
flow and if the fund is frlttered away in
salaries Of Commissioners, civil engineers,
and an army of ax-men, rod-men, chain bear
ers and dranghts- there will be nothing
left for the performance of the only real OBJ
ject envolved-that is practical labor. The
men who have purchased these lands should
reclaim them themselves without assistance
from the money derived from their sale and
that fund should be kept to reclaim swamp
lands that are moro difficult of reclamation,
and which in consequence the eof cannot be
sold.
AGRICULTURAL.
The State Agricultural Society has done
much for the benefit of the State, and he
commends it to the bounty of the Legislature
The State might offer premiums for the cul-
tivation of fax, coffee, tea, sugar. etc.
THE GRAPE VINE.
j. S. Warner, of Los Angeles, A. Taras.-
thy, of Sonomu, and j. A. Ramirez, of
Marysville were appointed under resolu-
ton of last session to examine and report on
the cultivation of the grape vine. Haraszthy
went to Europe and has returned, and Rami-
rez visits South America. They will report
to the Legislature.
FARMING AND FENCING.
The farmer in California iabors under
one great difficulty that is the procuring
of proper and cheap materials for fencing his
lands. In many localities of the State it will
require an expense three fold more to fence
his lands and protect his crops against tres
pass from live stock, than the land and crops
will sell for. Thousands are prevented
from cultivating grains and fruits BY this
cause alone. | can discover no hardship in
compelling the stock raiser to herd his stock
and prevent their trespass, greater than re-
quiring the farmer to enclose his cultivated
fields to secure the profits of his capital and
labor. To compel the farmer to sustain le-
gal fence in this country, as now defined is
to prevent his cultivating his land or enjoy
ing the use of his proberty. The grazier
should be required by law to herd his stock
and keep them from trespass upon cultivated
grounds.
COMMERCE.
We ought to be masters of the commerce
of the Pacific ocean, but never can be until
we have railroad across the continent in
full operation. The National Government
should assist in establishing line of steam
ships between California, the Sandwich Is
lands, China and Japan.
INDIAN HosTILITIEs.
During his administration, State troops
Nolo ediiSo Vue plt olice agalnSt the INDIANS.
This occurred last Summer. A company of
mounted men was in the service for ninety
days. 1t cost about $4,000, which cf
course the General Government will repay
to the State.
COAST DEFENSES
lie received communication from Secre.
tary Seward on this subject which, together
with the Governors answer, will be submit
ted to the Legislature in seperate paper
The objects which induced the Secrt taty
to communicate on the subject do not exist.
as Congress is in session and will attend to
that matter. Our coast defenses are of vi
tai Importance, but require an outlay too
vast tor the resources of the State.
CALIFORNIA VOLUNTEERS.
The General Government called on him for
$500 troops. This contingent, in both off
GERS and men, reflects much credit on the
State. The General Government
paid all expenses, so that California has not
been to the expense of a dollar. Some of
the officers have been to much expense in
raising their regiments, and the Legislature
should reimburse them.
STATE MILITIA.
The militia law of last year is a good one.
A military tax should be levied to pay rent