Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1866-03-30

tor Ine various MINOR off1ceS, his name APP
peared at the head of them all, and he re-
ceived every vote cast that day for the Office
Of FIRST Alcalde, it being at that time the
most important, responsible and difficult
office In the State of California. 1t required
administrative and executive abilities of the
rarest quality. The population numbered
10000, almost entirely adult males, drawn
| together from every section of the world
and possessed of every imaginable variety
of character.
TO effect anything like proper organiza-
tion Of the city, and establish an ordinary
police force, from the chaotic material and
rebellious spirits that then existed, was of
| itself an herculean task But added to this
| the duties of Alcalde embraced those of
| every one of the customary offices of city
and county jurisdiction. He was Mayor,
| Sheriff, Marshal, Probate Recorder, Regis
| ter of deeds, and even Notary Public and
! Coroner. He daily held an ordinary police
or mayor court an alcalde' court for the
minor cases and general executive matters
| OF the city; court of first instance with
universal, civil and criminal jurisdiction !;
| and court Of admiralty for maritime cases.
| In a word, he was the curator of the public,
doing everything that was to be done, even
| to the holding of inquests and taking ac-
| knowledgment of deeds. And so well did
| he perform al these varied, arduous, comr
plicated and difficult duties, that at the ex-
| plration of his first term he was reelected
| BY an almost unanimous vote, the city in
| the meantime having more than doubled its
population. During the time of holding
the office Of alcalde, Col Geary tried, as
Judge, over twenty-five hundred civil and
criminal cases, and from his decision not
over a dozen appeals were made, and not
one decision was ever reversed.
Under the old Mexican laws, Alcaldes had
power to grant away the public lands at
twelve dollars for fifty Uara lots (26 yards
square). All American Alcaldes, previous
| this privilege and disposed of an immense
amount of valuable property at these mere
nominal rates A resolution, after his elec-
ton, was debated by the Ayuntaimiento
(Council) directing the Alcalde to make such
grants at the legal rates. General Geary as
sured them that rather than make such
grants he would relinquish hisofice because
the sudden and unexpected rise of the value
of the lands would enable the Alcalde, ifhe
were so disposed, to enrich himself and
friends to the public detriment. At the rates
named the lands belonging to the city were
worth only S35, 900. A small portion of
| these lands were then sold at public auction
and brought halt a million of dolldrsi This
sum was placed in the city treasury. The
tracts remaining unsold were proportionally
worth SeCerdt million Of dollars Thus was
this immense sum saved to the city
On May lst, 1850, the first city charter
was adopted, and Col Geary was eleeted
Mayor under its provisions by large and
tiatterlng vote. The manner which he dis
charged the duties Of this position can best
bs understood from his inaugural address to
the city councils and numerous subsequent
messages, all of which are on life, and have
been published, as well as from the fact, that
at the expiration of his term of Office peti-
ton, numerously signed by the most pr0mi-
nent citizens, without distinctions to party,
was presented, requesting him to be can
didate for reelection, which he declined.
The Legislature, however, having created
Board of Commissioners Of the funded
of San Francisco, Col. Geary was appoint
ed member, and upon the organization of
that body was elected its President Here,
too, by his financial knowledge and judicious
councils and advice, he rendered valuable
service to the city. Besides all this, during
his residence in San Francisco, Ee was
Chairman of the Board of Health, had as
Odd Fellows Lodges, and was in fact instru-
mental in establishing comfortable hospitals
for the sick, and was connected with every
benevolent and charitable institution of the
place. He signalized himself by his courage
and intrepidity in arresting the progress of
the great fires, and by the promptness with
which he answered the call of the authorities
of that city. rendered efficient aid in sup
pressing the squatter riots of Sacramento.
In the year lS49 when Col Geary was
resident Of California, Convention was
formed to frame State Constitution, and
some ofour readers still remember the in
tense anxiety and excitement which prevail
ed throughout the country regarding the re-
suit of It's proceedings. The proslaverv
Democrats of that time were determined
that California should only be admitted into
the Union as slave State, and for the sole
purpose of exerting their influence in that
behalf, many removed from the Southern
States to that distant region. The plan was
well conceived, and intended at all hazards
to be accomplished, to insert the slavery
clause into the Constitution, and forward it
with hot haste to Washington for adoption
without presenting it the people for ratifoa-
ton. Col. Geary was thoroughly acduaint-
ed with the programme, and resolved that
the proposed measures should not be effect
ed He accordingly took strong grounds a
gainst them, and used all his influence,
which was the equal, at least, to that of any
man in the territory, first to have omitted
the clause legalizing slavery, and secondly
to prevent the Constitution, from being sent
to Congress until after it should be submit
ted to vote of the people and had received
their approval. No man could have labor
ed more earnestly aud successfully than he
did to effect these two objects, both of which
after a most terrible struggle, were accom-
plished, and California was received, free
from the stain Of slavery, into the Union of
States. 1t is not too much to say that had
it not been for the active part taken by Col
Geary against the pro-slavery party then in
California, this result might not have been
accomplished
Private affairs of great importance re-
quiring his presence in Pennsylvania, Col |
Geary left San Francisco in February, 1852,
and repaired to his farm in Westmoreland
county, where he remained until again call
ed into active public life, through his APP
pointment, by President Pierce, as Cover
nor Of Kansas Territory, which appoint
ment, without the usual reference to COM
mittee, was confirmed by unanimous vote
of the Senate.
He received notice of this appointment
in July, 1856, and having delayed only long
enough to receive his instructions and make
the necessary arrangements he proceeded
to Kansas, reaching Fort Leavenyorth on
the 9th of September following.