Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1867-10-26
CALAVERAS CHRONICLE.
New Volume.

rapidly time Ties. II seems Dul yesterday
since we folded up and laid away the files O
the sixteenth volume, and yet year ha.
passed away. Time, like the ceaseless cur.
rent of mighty river, flows rapidly on anC
is swallowed up in the measureless ocean
eternity. Man drifts along down the tide q
life, whether he will or no. now baskins
in the sunshine of prosperity, then passing
through the gloomy defiles of adversely, I'M
til he is at last launched upon the trackles:
ocean. But what has this to do with q
"new volume"
In presenting the first issue of new
} volume to his readers, an editor generally
briefly reviews the past, tells show he
stands" at present and makes promises,
which he never intends to keep, for the
future. Now for the past. The CHRONICLE
was born on the 26th of October, 1851, and
is consequently sixteen years old to-day. 1t
is the oldest weekly in the State there being
but two papers its seniors, the Union and
Alto. Its age is its only claim TO respecta-
paper previous to our assuming control, but
subsequently to that period 1t has been poor
" edited, and will be the same, only more
so, in the future. During the past two
years four men have paid their subscrip-
tons so we have managed to get along
tolerably we'll; but one of them, wealthy
farmer in the valley informs us that "he
can't afford to subscribe any longer. So
much for the past. At present we are get
ting along swimmingly. We have plenty of
work to do, having only boy to help us in
on our hands. We are compelled to do a
days work at the case, keep the books and
transact the business of the concern and do
the writing. We also are anxious to get all
the "odd jobs" chores, etc., to do that we
possibly can, such as saving wood, running
on errands, and SO on. If we were only sure
of always being as pleasantly situated and
swell fixed as we are at present, we should
be supremely happy. That will do for the
present. The future looks serene, brilliant
and inviting. We see fortune and fame in
the prospective, by looking over the left.
By-the-way, while speaking of the future,
we hare got one piece of good news for our
readers: They will not be inflicted with
much original matter, unless they write it
themselves. Some how or other, the folks in
this town don't seem TO be on 1.-THE write
we mean. We have tried the best we know
how to get some one to help us occasionally,
but people are either too ignorant or mean,
we don't know which; perhaps a little of
both. Politically, the paper will, as hereto
fore, advocate the principles of the Union
party as zealously as our limited ability will
admit. Believing that its doctrines are in
conformity with the Constitution and in
consonance with liberty, justice and human
ity, we desire to see them prevail and shall
labor to that end. We intend to furnish our
readers with reliable and readable journal,
and correspondence from all portions of the
county is solicited for that purpose. If the
citizens Of Calaveras will patronize US so
that we can devote our attention to our
editorial duties, without having to work our
self to death in the mechanical depart
ment we think we will be able to furnish
them with readable paper. The CHRONICLE
is now the only Union paper in the county,
and the party ought to be able to support
one organ in decent shape. At any rate we
promise to do the best we can the coming
year.
Insurance COMPANIES AND INcENDIARIsM.
The alarming frequency of fires in San
Francisco, large proportion of which are
directly traceable to incendiarism, is exciting
the most intense apprehension on the part of
the people of that city. That there exists a
band of desperadoes, who for motives of
plumber, set the fire brand is certain, but,
an incentive other than that of mere plumber
is indicated, by the reports of the Fire Mar
shall; we allude to the temptation held out by
over-insurance.
Underwriting, from a high toned, conser-
vative profession pursuing legitimate and
cautious course, selecting men and risks with
care and prudence. has degenerated into a
scramble for premiums, in which companies
with no resources and no reputation meet
equal favor with those of wealth and re-
sponsibllity. To secure business, policies are
written upon property far in excess of values
and for men whose character and reputation
no cautious man would endorse. Losses are
paid without enquiry, in order to gain a
cheap and temporary popularity, and in this
manner bids are made for incendiarism.
That terrible conhagration is impending in
San Francisco, cannot be doubted; already
the present underwriters of that city are
casting about for means to avert it. The line
of risks taken by them is excessive, and un-
less the recklessness of the irresponsible
companies can be checked and the band o.
incendiaries suppressed, they will speedily
be involved in one common ruin.
The terrible fires of Portland. Memphi.
and other large cities which entirely des
troyed the local companies of those cities in.
dictate the results of such disaster as W,
refer to; and to avert entire loss, the pruden
merchants of San Francisco, are calling upor
the Etna and Phoenix which passed through
those fires victorious Ghough heavy losers
for that indemnity which will serve them il
the day of trial.
CHARLEY HIGBY, of the CHRONICLE, pait
us a visit on Tuesday; a flying vislt-and
judging from the happy twinkle of his eye
ana the felieitous expression of his phiz, w
think there is a gal in his case. Didn't yo,