Weekly Trinity journal., 1863-01-31
FROM THE CAPITAL
CORRESPONDENT OF THE JounxAt.l

Public interest during the past week has CEN
tered so entirely on the Senatorial struggle that
Legislative business has by common consent,
been almost wholly suspended; yet some action
has been taken worthy of passing notice.
Monday-In the Senate, Committee of five
was appointed to prepare bill fixing the salaries
OF Justices of the Supreme Court, District Judges
and County Judges throughout the State. Mr.
Holden introduced bill to repeal the Township
law of last session, so far as relates to Men
docino, which is the only county in which the
law was endorsed by the people. Among the
bills introduced in the Assembly on Monday is
one for the construction of Wagon Road from
Red Bluff, in Tehama county, to the eastern
boundary line of the State. This bill has since
passed both Houses, and will undoubtedly be-
come law. Its passage was celebrated at Red
Bluff by firing one hundred guns 1t will open
thoroughfare through Honey Lake Valley into
Nevada Territory, of which Red Bluff will be the
western terminus. On the same day (Monday) a
Committee was appointed in the Assembly to act
with like Committee on the part of the Senate
to investigate the matter of the payment by the
State Treasurer of the States quota of the Fed
eral Tax in Greenbacks " instead of the gold
which was paid into the Treasury for that pur-
pose. The Senate Committee has since been de-
signated, and, as they have power to send for
persons and papers, it is probable they will soon
overhaul the whole matter. 1t is unfortunate,
however, that it is not also within the province
OF the Committee to investigate concerning the
action OF the Assistant U. S. Treasurer, in the
payment of gold to Government contractors,
who had added from 25 to 40 per cent. to their
bids in anticipation of receiving treasury notes.
1t is charged that several hundreds of thousands
OF dollars have been paid to this class of Gov
ernment creditors, while soldiers, laborers and
other Government employees have been paid in
legal tenders-the notes happening to run out
just previous to the payment of contractors,
to some of whom notice was sent from the Office
of the U. S. Treasurer of the time when gold was
ready for them. The contractors, of course
made many thousands of dollars by these trans
actions, and it is fair to presume that they di
vided the profits with the U. S. Assistant Treas
urer, otherwise that officer, If true to the inter
ests of the Government, would have delayed
have gone into the market and purchased them
for the benefit of the Government whose inter
ests it is supposed to be his duty to care for.
Tuesday-Nothing of interest took place in
either House, excepting the introduction of n bill
to repeal the law prohibiting the issue of Con-
trollers Warrants until there is money in the
treasury to pay the same. The bill will un-
! 1nub hn uInt nf NJ
Attorney now filed in the Controllers office is
immense, and there is no good reason why war
rants should not be issued that the States cred
tors may sell their claims against the State with
out the ruinous sacrifice they are now compelled
to make. In this connection | will state also,
that on motion of Senator Shannon the Finance
Committee of the Senate has been instructed to
speedily prepare and report u bill calculated to
set the affairs of the State upon cash basis.
An attempt to pass such bill was made last
year, but it was so late in the session that the
Assessor had commenced work before the bill
had been perfected. 1t was then allowed TO go
by default.
Wednesdays proceedings we're of no moment
in either House.
Thursday-In the House the forenoon was
spent in consideration of the resolutions in rela-
ton to the death of Thomas Campbell, and at
l2k o'clock the House adjourned cas- mark of
respect to the deceased" The speeches made on
the resolutions in better taste than is usual
on such occasions The theatrical orator of the
Assembly, Mr.. Warwick, made the first Grafton
on the character and services Of the deceased
The speech was Warwickan from beginning to
end-that is to say, it was verbose, dramatic and
overdone-yet it contained some fine points, and
was listened to with attention. Mr. Barclay, Of
Calaveras followed in some quiet. welcon.
ceived remarks. After him came Mr. Fitch with
a better speech than / ever before heard him
make. 1t was brief, but pertinent, TASTEFUL some.
what poetical, but sensible withal, and delivered
in his pleasing style, it produced an agreeable
effect. Mr.. Fitch said
If glory be the reward Of the soldier who dies sword
hand fighting for just cause less honored should
the him who with his feet hard upon the brink
the shorees river yet stood firm to the purpose of his life
boouebjug norton of those hours already numbered tc
the advocacy Of great principle The life Of Thos Camp
bell was glowing comment upon human energy and hu
man zeal his later moments an eloquent example Of self
iumoatlOn and self forgctulness There have been few
cndings of Vie heroic than that presented by Tho
young whose bright earnest spirit we this day pay
he conscious that the great shadow through which al
must pass reach the sunlight lay first in his path
that the dark and tho long sleep very ant
vet he rcsoluoly devoted the few days left him to the
propagation Of the great idea that country and freedom
greater than the bchcsts Of party and stronger than
preudces Of years. surely it was high, noble and
inspiring purpose and though shaken and shattered by
physical suffering lac yet found consolation the triumph
Of patriotism party which lac had aided 10 achieve H.
paced the broad aislcs of the temple Of his faith h
fme and looked upon the fair fields aud the green hills
which lc might never visit, but which he had aided II
Wrestling from the foe lie exnted IN the thought thai
though he would be quiet the principle he died in
vocang would live and grow. IL was this idea that min
gled with dark browed legion Of storm clouds above his
head and fashioned them into triumphant pageants. II
this idea which sent him FORTH unpanoped with the vgo
manhood meet the cmnbatant host forever arrayed
against an honest opinion. His mail hangs in the armory
above. His great principle will march ownward with con
querng tread and It's banners no prOdcr than his
will ever be Inscribed But he Is dead, The morning O
his life flushed high with the promise Of an eagcnt day
suddenly put his sable robes aud manted together In
their dark folds the promise aud the prophecy Alas loI
the young life high with hope so early gone hence Ala
fer the ms steriOls workings Of fate Myrals OF souls to
day bega the messenger DEATH while youth and talent