Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1866-04-26
VOLUME XVI.


4 was thus placed in the way of his subse
quent and almost unparalleled success and
popularity among the heterogeneous pop
ulation of the Eureka State
On the lst of August l849, the munich
: pal election of San Francisco took place
: and although ten different tickets were
g framed for the various minor offices, his
r name appeared at the head of them all, and
4 he received every vote cast that day for
E the office of First Alcade, it being at that
time the most important, responsible and
difficult Office in the State Of California 1t
required administrative and executive abil-
tiles of the rarest quality. The population
numbered 10000, almost entirely adult
males, drawn together from every section
of the world, and possessed of every i'm,
aginary variety Of character.
To effect anything like a proper organ
ization of the city, and establish an ordi-
nary 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 Alcade embraced those
of every one of the customary offices Of a
city and county jurisdiction. He was a
Mayor, Sheriff, Marshal, Probate Recorder,
Register of Deeds, and even Notary Public
and Coroner. He daily held an ordinary
police or mayors court an alcade's court,
for the minor cases and general executive
matters of the city a court of first in
stance, with universal civil and criminal
jurisdiction and court of admiralty, for
maritime cases. In word, he was the Gu
rate of the public, doing everything that
was to be done, even to the holding of in
quests and taking acknowledgment of
AM ho oil +ha
varied, arduous, complicated and difficult
duties, that at the expiration of his first
term he was reelected by an almost unani-
nous vote, the city in the meantime having
more than doubled its population. During
the time of holding the Office of Alcade
Col Geary tried, as Judge, oyer twenty
five hundred civil and criminal cases and
from his decision not over dozen appeals
were made, and not one decision was ever
reversed.
Under the old Mexican laws, Alcades had
power to grant away the public lands, at
twelve dollars for " fifty vara lots," (26
yards square) All American Alcaldes,
previous to Geary's time, had availed them
selves of this privilege, and disposed of an
immense amount of valuable property at
these mere nominal rates. A resolution,
after his election was debated by the Ayun-
taimiento (the Council directing the Al
calde to make such grants at the legal
rates. General Geary assured them, that
rather than make such grants he would re-
linquish his Office, because the sudden and
unexpected rise of the value of the lands,
would enable the Alcalde, if he were so dis
posed, to enrich himself and friends to the
public detriment At the rates named, the
lands belonging to the city were worth
only $35, 600 A small portion Of these
lands were then sold at public auction, and
brought half million of dollars This sum
was placed in the city treasury. The tracts
remaining unsold were proportionally
worth several millions 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 elected
Mayor under It's provisions, by a large and
hattering vote. The manner in which he
discharged the duties of this position, can
best be understood from his inaugural ad-
dress to the city councils, all Of which are
on file, and have been published, as well as
from the fact that at the expiration of his
term of office, petition, numerously y signed
by the most prominent citizens, without
distinction of party, was presented, request.
ing him to be a candidate for reelection,
which he declined.
The Legislature, however, having crea-
| ted Board Of Commissioners of the fund
ed debt of San Francisco" Col. Geary was
appointed a member, and upon the organ
ization of that body was elected It's Presi-
dent Here, too, by his financial knewl-
| edge and iudicious counsels and advice, he
rendered valuable service to the city. Be-
sides all this, during his residence in San
Francisco, he was Chairman Of the Board
of Health, had assisted in the organization
of Masonic and Odd Fellows lodges, and
was in fact instrumental in establishing
comfortable hospitals for the sick, and was
connected with every benevolent and char
liable institution Of the place. He signal
lied himself by his courage and intrepidity
in arrestng the progress of the great fires,
and by the promptness with which he an
swereG the call of the authorities Of that
city, rendered efficient aid in suppressing
the squatter riots at Sacramento.
In the year l849, when Colonel Geary
was resident of California, a Convention
was formed to frame State Constitution,
and some of our readers still remember the
intense anxiety and excitement which pre-
vailed throughout the country regerdlng
the result of its proceedings. The pro-sla-
very Democrats of that time were deter
mined that California should only be ad-
mitted into the Union as slave State; and
! for the sole purpose of exerting their infu-
ence 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 cause into the Constitution, and
, forward it with hot haste to Washington
for adoption, without presenting it to the
people for ratification. Col. Geary was
thoroughly acquainted with the program.
/ me, and resolved that the proposed meas
ures should not be effected. He accord
ingly took strong grounds against them,
2 and used all his influence, which was then
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, when adopted by the Con-
: vention, from being sent to Congress until
after it should be submitted to a vote OF
4 the people and had received their approval
) No man could have labored more earnestly
= and successfully than he did to effect these
~ L., -, ;ol, afta