Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1868-02-01
Letter from the Capital.
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE OF THE CHRONICLE.

SPECIAL coRREsPoNDENcE OF THE CHRONICLE.
SACRAMENTO, Jan. 18th, 1868.
yBRKERs.
The country boys have much to say about
the '.jerkcrs" of Sacramento-a term applied
to the pretty waiter girls who do service in
numerous lager beer cellars that exist here.
A person enters an establishment where the
refreshing and invigorating Teutonic bever-
age is dispensed-seats himself at a table
and calls for something to drink; immedi-
ately he is surrounded by q bevy of girls,
all pleased to do the agreeable and anxious
to favor him with particular attention, at the
same time Initiating in the most unselfsh
and fascinating manner that they are not
adverse to joining him in social glass. The
bait takes-Greeny bites, and for the time
his gallantry overcomes his better judgment
and discretion. What cares he for expense ,
Thenceforth he pays tribute to Baccus akd
worships at the shrine of Beauty. Perfectly
reckless of consequences, innumerable glasses
Of sparkling wine and foaming beer are or
dered from the bar, in which he drinks re.
peatedly to the good health of the fair beau
ties who SO condescendingly wait at his beck
and call. The wine has a wonderous sooth-
ing effect, and gradually he sinks into q
quiet slumber, dreaming that he is in some
fairy land, where it rains lager beer and the
rivers flow with wine; where every tree
shrub and bush is a musical instrument,
giving forth sweet, delicious strains of mu-
sic; where angelic forms of heavenly beauty
constantly hover around him and fan his
fevered brow with their fairy wings. The
dream is too much of bliss to last and he
wakes to find himself lying cold and be-
numbed on the muddy sidewalk, with a
policeman kindly inviting him to walk to
the station house, and when he finds there is
mary cent" in his pocket to deposit for
bail, he fully realizes the fearful significance
of the term 'jerker."
This is no pen-picture, but a sad reality
of too often occurrence, and I mention it as
Introductory to referring to other and vari-
Gus modes adopted here to jerk the extra
coin from strangers pocket.
The darkey who shines your boots 'jirks"
an extra bit for the honor; hotel keepers
and landlords clerk three or four dollars
extra per week for board and lodging; smil-
ing bar keepers "jerk" an extra dollar by
inducing you to take chance in some rattle
for the benefit of some poor family that has
been flooded; cbambermalds meet you on
the stairway and 'jerk" dollar for a tich ct
in some festival; polite ushers '.jerk" a
couple of dollars as you enter the theatre
for tickets to benefit of favorite actor or
actress; delicately gloved ladies with large
waterfalls, each morning throng the aisles
of the Senate and Assembly chambers. to
'.jerk" from you several dollars for the ben
eft of various churches and benevolent pur-
poses, and by the time the round is made,
the gauntlet run, you are in luck to have
enough left to buy respectable dinner.
However, it makes but little difference, for
there are but few strangers in town, except
members and attaches of the Legislature.
and if they can't stand all this '.jerking" let
them go home and send others to fill their
places.
THE LEGISLATURE
continues to rush through bills and enact
laws with perfect vengeance. The resolves
made by many members at the beginning
of the session, to enact the least possible
number of local bills. have already been en-
Ia l. &c
bills introduced in both branches. but few
are of general character. This is no fault
of the Legislature, for the interests of the
different sections of the State are SO various
and diversified that it is utterly impossible
for one general law, or system of laws, to be
suitable to the various localities.
BRIBERY.
Quite sensation was created on Thursday
of last week among the Democratic members.
by the introduction in the Senate of con-
current resolution calling for Joint Com
mittee to inquire into and investigate the
alleged charges of bribery and fraud in the
late Senatorial contest. After lengthy de-
bate in the Senate, in which the action of
investigating committees in general and the
Mccarthy investigating committee of last
session in particular, was thoroughly venti-
lated, the resolution passed with only six
dissenting votes but when the matter was
taken up in the Assembly, that body refused
to concur and adopted substitute that
whenever specific charges, supported by the
oath of responsible person. were preferred
against any member of the Legislature. then
the committee called for by the Senate reso-
luton could be appointed by the President of
the Senate and Speaker of the House with
out further action.
of Democratic members was organized last
Thursday evening to nominate a candidate
for Harbor Commissioner. Only twelve
candidates were before the caucus anxious
to receive the honor, which is conclusive ev-
idence of their entire disinterestedness; they
don't wish the Office for the emoluments it
bears. oh no they merely wish to serve the
people and render themselves of some benefit
to the government. After about twelve bal
lettings, in which no candidate received more
than nine votes, the caucus adjourned till
this, Wednesday evening, at 9 o'clock.
FUNDED DEBT.
Mr.. Ayers Bill for funding the indebted
ness of Calaveras county passed to engross-
ment on Monday last, and will be reached on
the general file in few days. 1t provides
that the floating debt of the county. now
outstanding, to the amount of twenty-five
thousand dollars, may be funded and bonds
issued therefor hearing six uer cept interest