Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1866-03-24


peared at the head of them all, and he re.
ccived every vote cast that day for the Office
OF First dlcaldo, 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 organi-
cation OF the city, and establish an ordinary
police force, from the chaotic material and
rebelious spirits that then existed, was of
itself an herculcan task. But adoied to this
the duties of Alcaldc embraced those lcf
every one of the customary Offices of n city
and county jurisdiction. lie was Mayor,
| Sheriff. Marshal, Probate Recorder, Register
ct Deeds, and even Notary Public and Cor
oner. He daily held an ordinary policy or
mayors court; an alcsldcs court for the
| minor cases and general executive matters
ot the city; court Of first instance with
universal, civil aud criminal jurisdiction :;
and court of Admiralty for maritime cases
In word, he was the curator of the public
doing everything that was to be done, even
to the holding CT inGucsts and taking ac-
acknowledgement of deeds. And 80 well did
he perform all these varied, arduous, compli-
Gated and difficult duties, tha: at the expl-
ration of his first term, he was re elected by
an almost unanimous vote, the city in the
meantime, having more than doubled its
population. During the time of hold ing
the office of Alcalde, Col. Geary tried, as
Judge, over twenty-five hundred civil and
criminal cases, and f-om his decision not
over dozen appeals were made, and not
| one decision WIS over reversed.
Under the old Mexican laws, Alcsldcs had
power to grant away the public lands at
twelve dollars for fifty cara lots" (2G yards
square) All American Alcaldes, previous
to Geary's time, had avsiled themselves of
this privilege, and disposed of an immense
amount of valuable property at these mere
nominal rates. A resolution, after his cleo
ton, was debated by the Ayuntaimcnto
(ConnclD directing the Alcalde 10 make
such grants at the legal rates. General Gea-
ry assured them that, rather than make such
grants he would relinquish his office, because
the sudden and unexpected rise of the value
of the lands would enable the Alcalde, if he
were so disposed, to enrich himself and
friends to the public detriment. At the rates
named the Lands belonging to the city we're
worth only $35 200. 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 million of dollars Thus was
this immense sum saved to the city
On May 1st, 1850, the first city charter
was adopted, and Colonel Gesry was elected
Mayor under its provisions by large and
flattering vote. The manher in which he
discharged the duties of this position can
best be understood from his inaugural ad-
dress to the city councils, and numerous
subsequent messages, all of which are on
nile, and have been published, ms well as
from the fact, that at the expiration of his
term of office petition, numerously signed
! by the most prominent citizens, without
distinction 20 party, was presented, request
ing him to be a candidate for reelection,
which he declined.
The Legislature, however having created
a Board of Commissioners Of the funded
debt of San Francisco,' Col. Geary was APP
pointed member, and upon the organiza.
ton OF that body, was elected its President.
Here, too, by his financial knowledge and
judiclous councils and advice he rendered
valuable service to the city, Besides all
this, during his residence in San Francisco,
he was Chairman of the Board of Health,
had assisted in the organization cf Masonic
and Odd Fellows Lodges, and was in fact
instrumental in establishing comfortable
hospitals for the SICK and was connected
with every benevolent and charitable insti-
tuition of the plaac. He s,gnalized himself
by 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 suppressing the squatter
riots AZ Sacramento.
N hp w nl n
resident OF California, a Convention was
formed to frame State Constitution, and
some of our readers still remember the in
tense anxiety and excitement which prevail
cd throughout the country regarding the
result of its proceedings. The pro.slavery
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
we'll conceived, and iuepded at all hazards
to be accomplished, toNIsert the slavery
clause into the Constitution. and forward it
with hot haste to Washington tor adoption
without presenting it to the people for rati-
ication. Col. Geary was thoroughly ac-
quainted with :he programme, andhcsolveG
that the proposed measures should MT ne
eAectcNt. nc aSCotuIue iylb'"N StiSiS Sf''HN'lS
against them, and used all his influeneS,
which was then equal, at least, 20 that Oh
! any man in the territory, first to have omit
ed the clause legalizIng slavery, and second
ly to prevent the Constitution, when adopt
ed by the Convention, from beng sent to
Congress until after it should he submitted
to vote of the people and had received
their approval. No man could have laborcd
more earnestly and successfully than be did
to effect these two objects, both of lTnich,
after 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
onel Geary left San Francisco in February,
1859, and repaired to his farm in KeGtuore-
land county, where he remained urth again
called intn active public life, through his
appointment, 10y President Pierce, "a 'G0e-
ernOr of Kansas TERRITORY, which appoint