The mountain Democrat., 1863-03-28
A Model Legislatnre.

Each year, We regret to say, the Leeis-
lature of California deteriOrates. 1t was
once respectable, it is now little less than
contemplate. All the fools and roWdies
in the State seem 10 have been nominated
by the Republicans last fall and elected.
1t was splendid opportunity for such
worthless characters and they embraced
it. They were supported by all the mer-
- IaTy newspapers Of the State, and sup
piled with means by Federal officials and
place hunters. At the last session the
people fattcred themselves with the idea
that they had seen the worst; that il
would be impossible to get together in the
State more inefficient body Of men,
They were greatly mistaken. The pres
ent Legislature has no parallel in little
ness, shamelcSsneSs and worthlessness.
pa. wbat better could be expected when
the Chairman Of the Judiciary Committee
is a triAing pettifogger, who would scarce
ly be allowed to conduct an Insignificant
suit before a one-horSe court, in States
where lawyers arc not hOpelessly igno-
rant? 1t is questionable whether he has
his inferior at any court in the State, in
clUding magistrate, of course. -.
Two Senators brazenly confessed that
they had permitted themselves to be lock.
ed in wardrobe for the purpose of lis.
tcning to and reporting a private convcr.
sation. Among honorable men spy is
regarded as the most dcspicable charac-
ter, and this character they voluntarily
assumed. A member of the House boast
fully declared that negro of his county
was superior to onc-third of the members
of that body. We believe him and think
it doubtful compliment to the negro -
Another member OF the House admitted
in caucus, before nearly all the members
of the Legislature, that he had "dclibe.
rately lied" The Chief and Assistant
Clerks Of the House had knock down,
and accused each other of conduct not
altogether legitimate. \ member of the
Senate said the Legislature was composed
Of "set Of asses" and Sanderson has
repeatedly begged them to stop acting
like children. Perkins and DR.. Harvey,
the latter temporarily in the Chair, got
into squabblc about parliamentary rules.
Senators called Perkins to order and liar
vcy requested him to take his seat. He
would neither come to order nor take his
scat. The Sergeant-at-Arms was ordered
to arrest him, and in attempting to dis
charge his duty was roughly handled by
several Senators, and free fight followed,
a scene far more dissraceful than that re-
ported to have occurred in the U. S. Sem
ate, when Salisbury was placed under
arrest. Without being released or max
ing any apology for his riotous conduct,
Perkins, the next morning, walked into
the Senate and participated in its pro.
ceedings. y few days subsequently, the
Senate, for the hundrcth time, became
uproarious and diSgraceful," to use the
language of one Of its members, and Por-
ter, of Santa Cruz, the presiding officer,
it. This did not please the
distinguished members of that dignilied
body, and they sent for the Lieut.. Gov
ernor, placed him in the chair and made
him call the Senate to order. Why arc
such disgraceful proceedings tolerated in
either chamber? Because the Senate and
Assembly are under the control of men
destitute of dignity, ability, or sclf.rcspcct.
They are needy Adventures, apoState
Democrats and disciples oNSJohn Brown,
and belong to party without principle
without responsibility, without rcspecta.
bility. In few months, the "Slow, un-
moving finger Of scorn" will be pointed at
the Republican members of the present
Legislature, and an indignant public will
kick them out Of places of honor and
profit.