Weekly Trinity journal., 1863-01-31

discuss the State Treasurer's action in paying
" Greenbacks " to the U. S. Assistant Treasurer.
In the House several new bills were introduced,
but none requiring particular notice. Among
the Senate bills is one for the reailirmation of
the Amendments to the Constitution proposed at
the last session by Senator Rhodes. The present
bill was offered by Mr.. Gaskill The amend
ments, if adopted, prohibit the passage by the
Legislature of local bills, and special laws which
should be general. Mr.. Van Dyke has intro
duced voluminous bill (92 sections) concerning
the Courts of Justice and judicial officers, as
to make the Courts conform to the Amendments
of the Constitution ratified by the people at the
last election. Mr.. Outon also has bill before
the Judicial Committee which aims to conform
the statutes to the amendments to the Constitu-
ton. Oulton's bill makes the Governor and
other State officers, elected in 1868, hold office
for four years. 1t makes the five Justices of the
Supreme Court elected in 1868 60 out of office,
one every two years, SO that he who drew the
longest term would remain in ten years. 1t re-
quires the District Judges to be elected in 1868
for six years. the members of Assembly to be
elected in September, 1863 and hold office for
two years, the Senators for four years except
such as shall draw a short term aud go out at the
end Of two years.
On Saturday bill passed both Houses trans
ferring SlS0,OOO of the money in the Swamp
| Land Fund to Special Fund to be known as
the Legislative Fund for the 18th session. Ex-
cepting $4,000 for the State Printing, and So,
900 for Senate and Assembly Contingent Funds,
all the money is to be devoted to paying mileage
and per diem of members and attaches of the
Legislature. The bill passed the House 55 ayes
to Is noes, and the Senate q ayes to 10 noes,
enough to overcome the Governors veto, If the
Executive should veto it, Even then, however,
it is uncertain about the payment of the demands
ON the Fund thus created, as an effort is to be
made to put an Injunction on the Treasurer by
some parties who have purchased demands
against the State, and do not like it that the
Legislators make themselves preferred creditors,
In my letter last week had no space.to notice
the closing speeches made in the Assembly on
the resolutions endorsing the Presidents Procla-
nation. One Of the best speeches made was
among the last. l refer to Mr.. Barstow's, copy
of which you will find inclosed.
| THE SENATORIAL CONTEST.
The Union members of the Legislature met in
caucus for the nomination of a candidate for the
U. S. Senate on Tuesday evening last For
several days previous great pressure had been
brought to bear by Federal Office holders in favor
of Mr.. Phelps, and by humbugging some of the
members into the belief that Phelps was sure to
be nominated, they succeeded in gaining over
few votes among those who above all things de-
sire to be on the winning sidc They hoped to
be able, by promises, and pretence Of strength
to get enough to nominate Phelps on the first
evening-somo of them said on the first ballot.
But they did not succeed. The first vote stood
Phelps, 35; Conness, q Park, II Sargent,
IS Brown, 7 Shafter, /. Eight ballots were
taken the first evening, the eighth resulting as
follows Phelps, 81 Conness, 23; Park, l6 /;
Sargent 18; Brown, 5 i; Shaiter /. On two Of
the ballots Conness received 25 votes. On talk
ing the matter over on the following day, it be-
came apparent to Park that some of his own and
some of Sargcnt's friends would go to Phelps
and Conness unless something was done to pre-
vent it. 1t was then determined that the Park
men should go over to Sargent, in order to en-
courage them and give time to bring about an
antagonism between the friends of Phelps aud
| Sargent. This was done-the second evenings
balloting showing 33 votes for Sargent, 80 for
Phelps, 23 to 26 for Conness, and scattering for
Brown and Shafter Only three ballots were
taken. The voting on Thursday evening little
change, and on Friday it remained the same, ex-
cept that by the addition of Mr.. Howell to the
caucus (who had been absent on account Of i'll
ness,) Phep PSI vote went up to 40, evidently his
highest attanable strength The caucus ad-
iourned from Friday till Tuesday. The contest
now lies between Sargent and Conness, yet tho
successful man may be neither of these, but pos
sby some compromise candidate not now in the
fight. 1t is evident that Park and Phelps are
both out of the question. Park has not and can
not combine the strength necessary to elect him
He has spent much money, and is now endeaVor-
ing to make himself whole by controlling the
caucus SO that whoever is chosen will owe his
election to him, and be willing to repay the obli-
CATION in some manner. Some Of the Sargent
men may go over to Phelps on Tuesday evening"
but they cannot take the original Park men with
them. while number of the Sargent men them
selves prefer Conness TO Phelps, so conclude
Phelps election is impossible. On the other
hand it is doubtful if enough of the Phelps men
can be induced to go over to Sargent to elect
him; and even in this case the election will be
delayed by the Park men voting for some other
candidate until Park has secured himself thea,
perhaps, Sargent may be elected. l think it
more probable, however, before that arrange
ment can be " fixed up" the honest portion OF
the members will have become disgusted with
such performances, aud either unite on Conness
or take up some new man. Rhodes, OF Santa
Clara, is spoken of in this connection, Shafter,
Brown, Congressman Low aud others. FAUST.
SHASTA PUBLIC SCnoOL.-The school will com