The union Democrat., 1871-12-16
NUMBER 25.

BILE one in spite of some minor defects OF nlan.
The work has been pushed as ranialv ms NOS
sible since its resumption. aud the exnense
has been, as usual, beyond the estimate.
The heating apparatus has been provided at
much heavier cost in money and Mt much
greater inconvenienceth than if the building had
been planned with referance to it originally.
and nothing hut the knowledge of its Also
| lutte necessity induced the Board of Commits
siouers TO incur the expense and trouble of
placing it in the building. 1t will be found
without doubt TO answer we'll the object. A
very great improvement was made BY omit
ting the flights of steps in the front to the &C.
cond story. This has assisted to give more
apparent elevation to the building. and at
the same time avoid converting the first story,
in which the Supreme Courtroom and prinei-
pal State Offices are located, into basement.
The change has added to the light and venti-
lation of the rotunda, and is one, in every re-
spect, Endorsed by some of the most eminent
architects in San Francisco, whose opinions
have been sought upon the subject. 1t also
saved an estimated expense of over $4,000.
REVISION OF the STATUTES.
The Commissioners appointed under the
Act of last session to revise the statutes have
been diligently employed since their appoint
ment in the work ofarrangementandr revision.
The laws as arranged by them are divided
into four Codes--a Penal Code, a Code of Civ
il Procedure (both fnished,) Civil Code
(also inished) and Political Code, which
will be ready probably in January.
That the Commissioners have expended
much labor and care upon the work is evil
dent, and such portions of it as have been
able TO examine have impressed me very ia
vorably.
The Penal Code and Code of Civil Proceed
ure embodied in the main the varinns provis-
ions of law already in force upon these sub
jects, systematically arranged, with such
amendments as are obviously desirable.
Most of the changes made in the. Civil Codo
are drawn from the Civil Code of New York
"a work which bears the impress of thought
and labor, and if adopted will be an impor-
tant advance in legislation. The provisions
taken from the New York Code have been
subjected to careful scrutiny.
CORPORATIONS.
The great feature of modern civilization is
the combination of capital in associations for
execution of enterprises involving too much
capital to be undertaken or too much risk to
be incurred by individuals. These associa-
tons are provided for here under general
the rapid development of the material resour-
ces of this State, as similar ones have done
in other States. They are usually endowed
also with special franchises or privileges. In
the case of railways the sovereign power of
eminent domain is exerted in their behalf,
and feel bound to say that it has been ex-
erted in this State in some instances oppres-
sively and without just regard for the rights
of private citizens.
Aside from the question of eminent domain
and Of taxation of private property, another
of great Importance to the people is the sub
ject of regulating the charges upon railways.
This power is vested in the Legislature, and
is exerted in the general law under which
these corporations are formed. The present
maximum rate of fare is 10 cents per mile,
and of freight Is cents per ton per mile.
| The rates are so excessive that in fact they
are never charged or collected. Complaints
are made, however, in some sections that the
railway charges for freight are so high as al-
most to prevent the use Of the lines for trans
portstion, and similar complaints are made
as TO the fares.
The rates should be reduced to such figures
as would be Just to the public and at the
same time leave the corporations fair profit
for the business.
NEW APPoRTIoNMENT.
The census of 1870 renders q new appor-
tionment of Senators and Assemblymen ne
cessarv at this session. From an examina-
ton of Section 80 of Article and Section IL
of the schedule of the State Constitution it
would seem that the spirit of that instrument
requires the State to be divided into Senatori-
al and Assembly districts. If this duty is
not imperative, it is certainly expedient to
make such provision. especially when the city
and county of San Francisco is entitled to
more than one fourth of the members of each
House. A representation by districts would
secure more just representation and doubt
less higher grade of qualification in the
members the city and county of San Fran
cisco becomes entitled to twenty-oue or twenty
two members of Assembly, it should be divid-
ed into so many Assembly districts, and so
with every county entitled to more than one
member.
The minority in the county wonld have in
this way better opportunity of securing some
representation.
APPOINTMENTS TO OFFICE.
The useful administration of public affairs
depends to great extent upon the manner
in which subordinate offices are to be filled.
When resort is had to the agency of nomi-
mating conventions or Legislative caucuses,
the pubic interests are usually lost sIRnl vi.
Subordinate Offices of city should befilled by
the Mayor, and of the State by the Governor,
with power of removal.
A Board of Public Works in San Francis
co, to assume charge of the various depart
ments of public works now in the hands of
Commissioners. seems to be desired by the
citizens generally, and if selected in this way
would doubtless result advantageously.
INSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
The defects in our presen. State Constitu-
ton are so numerous that nearly every Arti-
Gle could be amended with advantage.
There are two amendments now pending
to section thirteen of Article eleven; also
amendments to sections one, three, FIVE, sew
en- and ten of Article six; to section one of
Article nine, and to section two of Article
four. The amendments can be found on pag-
es 903, 904, 905 and 906 of the laws, of last
session, and have been published as the law
requires.
There is defect of phraseology in the pro-
posed amendment to section three of Article six.
/ therefore recommend that the necessary