Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1868-02-08
Proceedings of the Mass Meeting Held
at San Andreas, Feb. 5th, 1868.

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Proceedings of the Mass Meeting Held
at San Andreas, Feb. 5th, 1868.
The meeting ofthe taxpayers of Calaveras,
which had been called for the purpose of
taking steps towards ameliorating the finan-
cial condition of the county, convened at the
Court House, in San Andreas, on Wednes-
day, February 5th.
The Convention permanently organized by
the election of the following officers: J. K.
Doak, President A; Allen Taylor and James
Cole. Vice Presidents l.. NJ. Schrack, Sec
retary.
On motion, a Committee of five was ap-
pointed to draft Report in regard to the
most feasible method CT reducing the annual
expenditures of the county. The following
gentlemen composed the Committee Messrs
Gatewood, Cole. Taylor, Peek and Coulter
A majority report signed by Gatewood, Cole
and Taylor, recommending the immediate
reduction of the officers srlaries, was offered,
and also minority report, signed by Peek
and Coulter, unfavorable to interference
with the salaries until the expiration of the
terms of the incoming officials, was placed
before the Convention for consideration.
After lengthy discussion. the minority re-
port was adopted. and Committee appointed
to memorabilia the Legislature in conformity
with its spirit. Messrs. A. P. Dudley, NJ. A.
Hall and c. NJ. Congdon were appointed as
such Committee who drafted the following
memorial to the Legislature
10th Hon. Members of the Legislature of
the Sta teof California:
The undersigned legal voters and tax pay
ers of the county of Calaveras, and State of
California, respectfully represent that on the
9th day of February, A. d. 1868, after gen.
eral and full notice to all the people of said
Calaveras county, published in the San
Andreas Register, a weekly newspaper print
ed and published in San Andreas, the county
seat of said county, there was mass meeting
of all tie tax payers and persons interested
and residing therein That at said meeting
after a full and fair discussion concerning
and touching all the monetary and official
affairs OF said county, it was settled and
agreed by large vote. that the pay, salary
and fees Of the county officials. of said
county, are now altogether too high for the
times and condition of things herein and
that the Legislature of this State should, at
its present session, do something for its
future relief, and do most respectfully sug-
gest First, that the Office of County Judge
should have added to it the office of Super
intendent of Public Schools in said county.
to take effect at the expiration of the present
term for which said Superintendent is al
ready elected. AS the salary of County
Judge cannot be changed during the term
forwhich he is already elected, ,sthere can be
no doubt in our minds that additional duties
can. without in any way or manner doing
wrong or injustice. be added to his office and
thus save the county the expense of School
Superintendent. Second, that the office of
Sheriff of this county be fixed as follows:
That the Sheriff himself receive the salary and
fees already and now fixed by law. and that
he have Deputy or Under Sheriff at the
salary of one hundred and fifty dollars per
month. and County Jailor at the salary of
eighty dollars per month.
That the County Clerk of said county who
is ex-officio County Recorder. have and re-
ceive the same salary and fees as now fixed
by law; that he have one Deputy at the
same price per month as now fixed by law
and no more.
That the County Treasurer have and re-
ceive the sum of fifteen hundred dollars per
year. with the percentage from the State Of
California as now allowed by law, and no
more.
That the District Attorney Of said county
be paid Sevenry-6ve dollars per month
and no more, and all percentage for collec-
tion of taxes and conviction of criminals be
paid in the discretion of your Hon. body.
That the Office of Superintendent of Pub
lie schools be abolished as a useless expense
as our County Judge, OF any man who is fit
to be County Judge can faithfully and prop
erly discharge the duties of SAID office.
That the office of Supervisor of said couD-
ty be so altered as this: that they shall not
receive for their pay OF services, a sum ex-
ceeding six hundred dollars per year, each,
and shall meet, and act otherwise as now
required by law.
That the Office of Township Assessor and
Collector be abolished. and that there be
elected an Assessor and Collector for each
Supervisor District, whose pay for assessing,
each year. shall be six dollars per day. and
not to exceed. for that duty, four hundred
dollars each. for one year. with other fees as
now allowed by law.
That you will use all fair and honorable
efforts to have the bonded Indebtedness of
this county, for public roads therein, which
are of more benefit to the State than this
county. assumed by the State. upon the
best terms and conditions possible to be
made.
And further represent that we do not de-
sire. and much more we object, to any en-
actment touching any of these points upon
which we memorialize you, taking effect till
the first Monday of March. A. d. 1870.
As we are in debt. as a county, over two
hundred thousand dollars, we find it neces-
sary to lay a foundation in the future upon
which we hope to be enabled to sustain our
selves and survive the changes of time and
things in California. Our request is reason
able and just. We impair no contract with
officials already elected, and do justice to
all. Let the salary of each officer be paid in
gold and silver coin, and if you will grant
our simple prayer. as herein set forth. your
judgment and wise legislation shall, and
will, be blessed with success.
A. P. DUDLEY,
Chairman of Committee.
After instructing the Secretary to furnish
each member Of our delegation with copy
of the minority report and the resolutions