The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1866-03-20

shared his priVations, suffering and dan
gers, and who witnessed and knew best
how to appreciate bis merits.
The war having closed, Col. Geary re
turped with the remnant of his com mand
to bis native state, and the people of Pitts
burg will long remember the enthusiastic
welcome he received upon bis arrival
among them. Hon. William Wilkins, in
a public speech, complimented the SER
vices of the gallant, weather-beaten and
war-worn troops, and the excitement OF
the universal jubilee ran to the highest
pitch.
On the 32d of January, 1849, in return
for his services in Mexico, President Polk
appointed Col. Geary postmaster at San
Francisco, which in consequence of the
then recent discovery of Gold in Califor-
MA, bad become a port of considerable
importance. He was also empowered to
create post Offices, appoint postmasters,
establish mail routes, and make contracts
for carrying the mails throughout Cali
fornia He was thus placed in the way
Of bis subsequent and almos: unparalleled
success and popularity among the hetero-
geneous population of the Eureka State.
On the 1st of August, l849 The munic-
pal election of San Fracisco took place and
although ten different tickets were framed
for the various minor Offices, bis name ap-
peared at the head of them all. and be re.
ceived every vote cast that day for 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
abilities of the rarest quality. The pop,
ulation numbered &c, 1000, 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 organ
| ization of the Wand establish and ordi-
nary police force, from the chaotic material
aud rebellious spirit 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 q
city and county jurisdiction. He was 9
Mayor, Sheriff, Marshal, Probate Recorder
Register of Deeds, aad even Notary Pub.
lie and Coroner. He daily held an ordi
nary police or mayors court; an alcalde's
; court for the minor cases and general ex-
ecutive matters of the city court ot
first instance with universal, civil and
criminal jurisdiction and court of ad
miEaity for maritime cases. 1n word be
was thecurator Of the public, doing every
thing that was to be done, even to the
holding of inqueS:s and taking aeknowl
egment Ct deeds. And so well did ht
perform all these varied arduous, compli
Gated and difficult duties, that at the ex
piration of his first term he was reelected
by an almost unanimous vote, the city il
the meantime having m)re 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 bis decision no
over dozen appeals were made, and moi
one decision was ever reversed.
Under the old Mexican laws, Alcaldes
had power to grant away the public land:
at twelve dollars for fifty cara lots" (2t
yards square) All American Alcaldes
: previous to Geary's time, had availec
themselves of this privileges, and disposed
of an immense amount Of valuable prop
erty at these mere nominal rates. A res
olution, after bis election, was debated by
the Ayuntaimeto (CounciD directing the
Alcalde to make such grants at the lega
rates General Geary assured them that
rather than make such grants he would
lelinquish bis Office, because the sudden
: and unexpected rise of the value of the
! , land would enable the Alcalde, if he were
so disposed, to enrich hiself and friends tc
L the public detriment At the rates named
: the lands belonging to Getty were worth
only $4,000. A small portion of these
! ! lands were then sold at public auction, ,auc
brought half million of dollars! Thi;
sun was placed in the oity treasury. The
tracts remaining unsold were proportion
ally worth severot naitlion Of dollars
!, Thus was this immense sum saved to tht
city.
On May 1st, 1850, the first city charte
q was adopted, and General Gesry wa
! elected Mayor under its provisions by I
large and fattering vote. The name
in which he discharged the duties of thi
position can best be understood from hi
inaugural address to the city councils, ,apC
: numerous subsequent messages, all o
= which are on fie,and have been published
as we'll as from the fact, that at the ex
!. piratiou of hi. term of Office a petition
. numerously signed blythe most prominen
), citizens, without distinction to party, wa
presented, requesting him to be a candi
: date for reelection, which he declined.
The Legislature, however, having ere
ated aboard of Commissioners of th