Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1868-03-07
LETTER FROM THE CAPITAL.

LETTER FROM THE CAPITAL.
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE OF THE CHRONICLE.
SACRAMENTO. March 4th, 1868.
cALAvERAs BILLS.
Senator Morrill,, yesterday, introduced
Bill comforting further power upon the Fire
Wardens of the Mokelumne Hill Fire De-
partment authorizing them to examine all
stoves, CRATES. ranges or fire places used in
any building for cooking, heating or other
purposes. and if the same are found to be in
an unsafe condition or liable to communicate
fire to the building or adjoining property. the
Fire Wardens may order the necessary re-
pairs to be made, and if the parties occupy
ing the building refuse or neglect to make
such repairs for a space of three days, they
are liable to punishment by fine or impris-
onment.
Mentzelrs Bill, abolishing the Office of
Superintendent of Common Schools, in CAL
averas, after the first Monday in March, 1870,
and requiring the County Judge to perform
the duties of the office, was reported back on
Monday by the Judiciary Committee with
the recommendation that it do not pass. The
Committee was of the opinion that the Bill
was unconstitutional. Consequently Mr..
Mentzell asked and obtained leave to with
draw the Bill.
Mr.. Aver has introduced funding Bill
for Calaveras. which think is well suited to
the condition of our county finances. The
Delegation has now under consideration
Bill reducing the salary of all county officers
to go into effect at the expiration of the term
of the present incumbents also Bill to es-
tablish the office of County Assessor, which
goes into effect on the first Monday in March,
1870.
FOREIGN MINERS LICENSE.
Mentzelrs Bill granting to the respective
counties the Foreign Miners License COL
lected therein, passed the Senate last week,
and now only awaits the signature of the
Governor to become law.
GRAND JURORS.
In the House, yesterday. Bill passed to
engrossment reducing the number of Grand
Jurors, necessary to find an indictment, to
seven. Lawyers greatly differ as to the con-
stitutionality of this Bill, and it is hardly
probable that it will pass the Senate.
HARBoR COMMISSIONER.
The Senate, to-day, postponed the time
for going into joint Convention for the elec-
ton of Harbor Commissioner till the 2Sth of
this month.
LOBBYISTS.
The city is just now full of lobbyists, all
anxious to procure the passage of some pet
measure. and as the Chief Lobbyist would
say times are very "corky" with many of
them, for the session is drawing near a
close and what they do must be done quick
| ly. A resolution has passed the House that
| no new bills can be introduced after the 2lst
inst, except by consent by q two-third vote;
thus the limitation of time will cut off many
pet scheme calculated to enrich the pro-
jectors.
THE WEATHER
during the past fortnight, has been very
moist and superhuous fuidity prevails in
and about the Capital; rubber boots are in
demand with which to wade the streets. but
no Sacramentan can be convinced that there
| is mud here. People here have become SO
accustomed to mud that it is really disagree
able to them to experience dry streets; in fact
they would not have the streets dry for any
thing in the world. and it is great source
vi pltuSuIc W tncN W Bee IHc iiluQ p1ieQ up
knee deep on the street crossings.
THE CAPITAL.
Nothing will be done toward removing the
Capital till the Committee on public build
ings report on the condition of the new
building. which will be in the course of q
few days, unless the American river should
break through the levee, of which there is
danger. and float the Capitol down the river,
as was the case in '61-2.
CONVICT LABOR.
In the House yesterday Bill passed to
engrossment authorizing one Swatka, to
take one hundred convicts from the State
Prison and work them on the public roads
in Siskiyou and Trinity counties. The policy
of such law is very doubtful. to say the
least; prisoners placed at work on the pub
lie roads are afforded more than ordinary
chances for escape. and many men even after
being sent to the States Prison retain some
thing of sensibility. something of refined
feeling. and it is doing such an injustice to
make an exposure to the public of their
shame and degradation by compelling them
to labor on the public highways. 1t is the
policy of all humane governments, to reform
and make good men OF those who violate the
law, but this cannot be done if the person
undergoing punishment is continually made
conscious of and reminded that he is GRIM
inal, and is exposed to the taun:s and jeers
| of the populace. He is branded as an outcast
| ty the multitude who see him laboring on
the highway in felon's garb. and when he
has served out his time, his infamy and shame
will follow him wherever he may go, and all
incentive he may have had to reform and do
better is lost. and he sinks deeper in crime.
THEATRES.
Wheatleigh has been playing an engage
ment at the Metropolitan for the past two
weeks to moderately full houses. Plays of
the sensational order. in which Wheatleish
| appears to the best advantage, have been Sc
lected and placed upon the stage with a view
OF showing off mis- best points and character
| istlcs as an actor. His engagement closes on
Saturday evening next.
Miss Laura DeForce Gordon lectures in
the Assembly Chamber on Friday evening
| next, on the subject of the elective franchise
Mrs. Laura Cuppy lectures every Sunday and
Sunday evenings, or Spiritualism. Tonight
lecture is being delivered in the Assembly
Chamber by gentleman whose name have
forgotten, on the Fence question.
Nc.
OWING to the recent severe rains the
Stockton stage did not make its regular trip