Weekly Trinity journal., 1864-01-02

taciturn. Hittell has introduced the greatest
as many able men as were here last year. San
derson, the ablest Though at times the most
sophstcal) reasoner, is one of the Judges OF the
Supreme Court, while Harrison, Haswell, Smith,
of Butte, Meyers, Yule and Dodge of San Fran
cisco, are in the Senate, and Barstow the origi-
Dudley of Placer, are at home. In their places
are number of quiet, steady-going men who,
with experience, will make safe and capable leg
islators.
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEES.
| With all this new material it was anticipated
that there would be some difficulty in so forming
the committees that the experienced legislators
would be put on in sufficient numbers to direct
the labors of the others, and yet not be over
| tasked themselves. To the great surprise of old
| members, however, they find themselves very
much in the back-ground-the new ones being
given the most important chairmanships, and in
| fact the almost entire control of the committee
work, which by the way, is the most important
work of legislation. Some of them feel a little
of sorrow as we'll as surprise, but the majority
take the matter very coolly, knowing that their
own merits had little to do with the matter.
Unfortunately for the advancement of Legisla-
tive business, the Speaker was misled in his
selection of committees by looking too intently
| through a pair of Congressional spectacles. In
my opinion it ,uld have been better for him
not to have used his green-ct .ored "specks on
this OCCASION because some of the disappointed
ones, Indifferent as they may appear, will
probably feel inclined to smash the glasses out
him to gaze despairingly towards Washington
| through the little end of horn.
THE CURRENCY QUESTION.
| Probably the most exciting question of the
session will be the proposition to repeal the con-
| tract law of last winter and pass Act making
United States currency receivable for State taxes.
1t seems strange to many that loyal State like
California can be so misrepresented as it GER
| tainly was by passage of the law repudiating
Legal Tenders last winter, but to me who
watched the course of that Bill through the two
Houses, saw how it was engineered by the most
| careful Senators, advocated by the most inhuen-
tial Representatives, and paid for by the gold of
San Francisco capitalists, it does not appear so
very strange. Sanderson's speeches in favor of
the Bill carried it through the Assembly yet his
argument, was to my mind, of the fimsiest kind.
never listened to o speech so illogical, so full
of sophistry, as his great speech on that Bill.
False and untenable as were his assumptions,
Al, l. &c fI,a
House by storm, and all opposition was futile.
do not suppose that the repeal of that law and
the enactment of another recognizing the United
States currency as the currency of the State,
| would Immediately effect the object desired
Contracts for payment in gold would still be
valid, without the contract law, and the receipt
of Legal Tenders into the Teasury would not
materially affect their market value but the
ultimate effect of such law would be to create
public opinion favorable to the use of U. 5.
Notes as the circulating medium, and it would
not be long before the people, by concerted ac-
ton, would compel merchants to sell goods for
the same money with which they are purchased
in New York-that is the legal currency of the
country.
FIRST VETO.
| The only Bill that has yet passed both Houses
Is that for the transfer of funds from the Hospital
Fund to the Legislative Fund. The Governor
vetoed it On the ground that it made no pro-
vision for the return of the money to the Fund
The members want money, and are now endeav
ing to raise something from the Swamp Land
Fund.- with doubtful chances of success. In
case this fails some of our Solons intend to make
a proposition to the Supervisors of San Francisco
to loan the State 5000, 900 of the surplus fund.-
in the city Treasury, and take therefor STATE
Bonds bearing interest and receivable for STATE
taxes. l have no opinion to express on this pro-
ject.
PERSONAL.
| Your Representative Mr.. Personette, is here
as quiet and careful as ever. He makes noise,
but like an air-gun, has considerable powek
which is always exerted for the right, and espe-
cially for the best interests of his constituents
He is worth dozen gassy men. ohappells
cheerful face is here too and with them comes
Wiley from Humboldt, three as pleasant-looking
men as you often meet. am inclined to think
that the Northern portion of the State bears OF
the palm for good, quiet, loyal legislators. Hirsh
of Del Norte and the members from Siskiyou,
am not yet much acquainted with, but as fast %
learn we'll the characteristics of the Represef
tatives from your section, shall let their cor
stitueuts know what l think of them. But
enough for this time. FAUST.
QUA FAC" Clyde Clarendon " contributes
| the following pretty verses to the WaUerly Mag
asine. They may be sung to the music Of