Weekly Trinity journal., 1866-03-17
OUR SACRAMENTO LETTER.

ures introduced not worthy perhaps OF the atten-
tion of our makers. and which would be We
ry summarily disposed of at an earlier day, when
there was not & surfeit of work to claim the at
tention Of members. Although DO not think it
wise to pass judgment on certain schemes now
before both branches, discriminating public
viii weigh some subjects in their minds which
have received the sanction of the Legislature
within the past week, and apprehend will in
dcate their disapprobation in legitimate man
ner when opportunity offers.
On Tuesday the Assembly passed bill pledg-
ing the States security on bonds to be issued by
the Sacramento Valley Railroad Company for
the construction of that road to Placervile 1t
provides that the security of the State shall be
given for the payment of about s.. 900 per an
nun for fifty years. In the Senate the bill was
referred to the committee on Finance, and it is
believed that committee will report against the
bill if it reports ct all. The Assembly also pass
cd TO engrossmcnt the bill raising the fare on
Street Railroads in San Francisco, and then kill
ed ii dead as a nail when !; came up for third
reading shouldn wonder if some noted lob
byist made the companies pay for this piece of
strategy FROM appearances. The Senate is also
bescged with these special measures, and one,
to raise the salary of the State Librarian to So
600, was beaten on Thursday The claim of
Brady. Of the .uoaiior, for damages sustained in
tile 18th Of April last riots was before the As
scm6y on Tuesday, but what his chances for IN
lfmnitv are am not Informed.
The Eght-hour bill passed the Senate Thurs
day, after having been amended by the Special
committee so rs to makeIt valid after the States
of New Yori. and Massachusetts shall have Gu
acted 4 similar statute, thc purpose being to pro-
tcct the manufacturers here against Eastern COM
petition. The Governor is to make public proc
lamation Of such fact when it comes 20 his lnowl
edge. The Assembly. however, refused to con-
cur in tie Senate's amendments. and the Senate
refuses 20 recedc, 50 aPprehend the measure IS
i dead letter.
Mr.. Jones introduced concurrent resolution
this week instructing our Congressional dcega-
ton to use their influence for the establishment
of Post Office at New River. in your county,
and mail route thence from North Fork. The
great number of similar resolutions introduced
make it somewhat doubtful about the success of
the project and presume that the Special Nail
Agent will be able to render your people quite
as much assistanceifa application is made to him.
On Tuesday in the Senate, the Special order
being the bill introduced by the Finance COM
mittec amending the revenue laws, n long and
spirited discussion was had on the merits of the
BILL which was finally passed to engrossment by
the following vote ayes, II ; noes, IA. As this
bill promises to make radical changes in the tax
alton of property throughout the State, send
you herewith a copy of the bill, which was amen
ded in some minor points, but not materially af-
fecting the purpose of the measure. At first
thought it would seem though the proposition
to tax church property was contrary to the fun
damental theories of our religious belief, but
when we witness the construction of edifces
costing from orc to FIVE hundred thousand dol
lars which poor man and his family cannot af-
ford to worship in, it will not be claimed that
this is oppressive to the religious sentiment of
the people. Instead of building places to serve
God within, these magnificent structures are
turned into halls for the display of the fashion
and wealth which may be fortunate enough to
procure through their pecuniary accumulatioas
places therein. That all take pride in the
beauty and grandeur of church buildings,
and would rerpetuate their construction is be-
yond question and a congregation with the
wealth requisite to provide itself with single
instrument which costs from ten to thirty thou
sand dollars, and pays its singers salary of
500 per month, should not object to paying a
er is compelled to contribute of the scanty earn
ings from which be may have secured an humble
cottage and a cow and pig. The bill came mp for
its third reading to-day, and the main portions
of the Act were amended so that the object for
which it was framed cannot be reached, although
it requires that charitable societies holding prop
erty for private uses shall be taxed therefor
After the instructions given the Finance commit
tee to introduce such bill, the Senate hardly
did them justice in rejecting the result Of their
labors The Catholic element, which has been
so generously supported by State contributions,
was almost the only strict opponent the friends
of the bill had to contend with ut the outset. and
though its adherents do not command influence
enough to bring about the defeat of the bill. mod
esr or the dignity Of their calling would die
tate that the Senate Chamber was uot proper
place for their rcverential labors, and which has
not been free from their presence for the past two
weeks. trust the bill may be amended in the
Assembly so as to include Church property over
specified sum, albeit the Constitution makes
no provision for any exceptions for any but pub
lie buildings Of State or county government.
Quite an interesting question has arisen be-
tween the State Controller and the members Of
the Legislature, on an opinion given by the At
tornev General to the effect that members were
not entitled to full pay for the remainder Of the
session. or after the expiration Of ninety days
The greater part of them have instructed the
Scrrcants at Arms not TO receipt to the Control
er for warrants for less than full pay. and pre-
sumo that next week the matter will be decided
hy both branches taking steps for compelling the
issue Of warrants for full pay. The evident in
tention Of the law is that full pay shall be drawn
for one hundred and twenty days and this diff
ference of sentiment is a recent elimination.
The Chief of Police Of this city has truly
- drawn an elephant - in the person of Donald
Mcdonald. or as is by some asserted. Wm Wells,
the murderer of four men in this county in 1853.
few insist that It is the vcritable Wells. while
great number are willing to swear that it is
not but that il is some one else He will nm
douhtedly be released many statements have
been made of his presence in another locality
when the murder was committed. The Joke Of
travelling two or three thousand miles in irons
presume IS not apparent to the prisoner. but how
Is he to get any justification? is the natural in
qairy induced. X
FLCmxG WEAVER CREEK.-Ths project is be-
ing agiated. Next 70 plentiful supply of wa
ter throughout the year, it would be the greatest
piece of good fortune which could bcfall the Wea-
verville Basin and its inhabitants. Mex: week
shall make further reference to the matter,