Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1866-12-15
An Extra Session of the Legislature.

Legislature this Winter. We believed that
the adoption of the Constitutional Amend
ments, alone. was good and sufficient reas-
on for its being convened. There is not the
least certainty that the requisite two-thircs IS
vote can be obtained after the election next
Fall. and. as the Onion party has now suf-
ticient majority to pass any measure they
think proper. through both houses, we tho't
and still think that it is tie Governors duty
to call an extra session. In addition to rati-
flying the Amendments. there were several
laws passed by the Legislature last inter.
which are defective, and which must be
am -nded before they can answer the purposes
for which they were framed. In our opinion,
| the welfare of the general interests of the
State demands the meeting of the Legisla-
ture, and should the Governor neglect to
perform his duty in this respect, and when
the next regular session convenes it should
be found that the Union majority was insult
ticlent to secure the ratification of the
Amendments, the people of this State will
''NiNs hAiit sPoiisAbAC iOl tuC ioAluiCs Lie
people have perfrmed their duty. They have
elected loyal men: enough to the Legislature
to place the actions of that body entirely un-
der their control, ,Fand placed man supposed
to be true to the principles and doctrines of
the Union p 'rty in the gubernatorial chair.
| There is no doubt but the first act of the Leg
islature-should an extra session be called
| would be the adoption of the Amendments
| and should the Governor be so remiss in his.
duty, SO recreant to tie trust reposed IN him,
as to neglect to afford it an opportunity of
performing an act which the interests of the
whole country SO imperatively demand, the
paltry excuse of "expense" will not screen
him from the just Indignation of an outrag-
ed people. By the recent action of Congress,
however. another grave reason why our Leg
islature should be Immediately convened
has arisen. A Bill has been introduced and
passed the Lower House. providing for the
meeting of Congress on the 4th of Msrch next
instead of December. We quote from the
Congressional proceedings:
In the House. the bill providing for the
meeting of the Fortieth Congress on the 4th
of March passed by 1877 to 80. Pending the
vote, Highly of California explained the i'm
possibility of electing California members
Bidwell offered an amendment empower
ing Governors of States to fix the elections
prior to the 4th of March,
| Schenck declined to accept the amendment
During the last session of the Legislature,
| the time of electing Members of Congress was
changed from September, 1865 to September
1867. in order to bring the election of our
National Representatives as near the time of
the m eting of Congress as possible. At the
time the change was made. the events which
have necessitated the earlier convening of
Congress, were unforeseen. The issues which
now widely separate the President and the
law making portion of the Government,
were then in their incipiency. and none sup
posed that an Executive who was placed in
power ny the suffrages of loyal people, and
who had so repeatedly pledged himself to re-
main true to the principles embodied in the
platform upon which he was elected, could
prove so entirely recreant so false to his OBJ
legations and promises as Johnson has. The
terms of the members who now represent us
in Congress expire on the 4th of March next.
The time fixed by our Legislature for the
election of their successors does not trans
pire until the first of September, 1867; con-
sequently. unless special election is held,
we shall be unrepresented in Congress from
March 4th until at least November. During
that interim matters of the greatest import
ance will be brought before that body. The
| question of the reconstruction of the seeded
States will be definitely settled, in some man
ner, if California and the five other States
whose members terms expire, take sufficient
interest In governmental affairs to elect rep
resentatives. Our relations with France and
England are extremely critical, and un-
less there is sufficient majority in Congress
to checkmate Johnson and his rebel Cabinet,
upon every move, they may attempt to regain
lost prestige by plunging US into war. Ju-
han, of Indiana, is busily engaged in prepar-
ing another bill providing tor the taxation of
our mines. which he will present to the no.
tice OF Congress at the earliest opportunity.
Who can we rely on to protect our interests
If we fail to elect representatives. Without
representation in the Lower House can we
expect that Conness and Cole will be able to
defeat any measures inimical to our welfare
which may be introduced. We think not.
Now, more than at any previous period in
the history of our State, California needs
full. active and energetic delegation in Con-
gress. There are but two methods of obtain
ing it. Congress can delegate power to the Gov
ernors of the unrepresented States to call
spec al elections to fill the vacancies. if it sees
fit to do so. By reference to the extract from
the Congressional proceedings. it will be seen
that Mr.. Schencks father of the bill changing
the time Of the meeting of Congress. declined
to accept an amendment to that effect, offer
ed by Mr.. Bidwell. The only course left for
us to pursue, in order to secure representa-
ton is. for the Governor to call an extra ses-
sion of the Legislature. which, as Congress
has refused to interfere in the matter, is alone
authorized to change the time of holding the
Congressional election. There is no time to
spare. The Governor should convene the
Assembly as soon as practicable. and imme-
diate steps be taken to insure us a full rep
resentation in the Fortleth Congress.
SOMETHING OF WoMAN.-The Denver
Ne,os is responsible for the following: A fe-
male living on the line of road where Holla-