Weekly Trinity journal., 1872-01-27

and Timmins, the State Printing expert,
who desired to have everything his own
way, and "expert" them at his pleasure,
without calling for any explanation from
the State Printer and as was undoubted-
ly intended, to the latter's detriment.
But the Board of Equalization ruled
otherwise. All bills were to be sent
to them to be there examined, and
when such examination should be going
on the Printer was to be called in. So
Timmins on this question has taken a
back seat, with very largesized flea in
his ear.
A LITTLE woMAN's RIGHTS.
During the past week one or two petit
tions, numerously signed, have been in
troduced in both Senate and House, pray
ing for the enfranchisement of women,
and that they may be allowed the same
property rights after as before marriage.
These petitions have been referred to Sc
lect committees, appointed at the sug-
gestion of Mrs. Pitts Stevens, who, ever
since the opening Of the session, has been
lowering around, attending to the inter-
ests of her pet hobby, the enfranchse-
ment of woman. In the Assembly, n
few days since, we were treated to another
smackering of this question, on the in
PRODUCTION of bill concerning attorneys
and counscors at law, providing that un-
der certain conditions every white male
citizen "might practice at the bar"
First out went the word "white," by a
vote Of 80 to % then after little talk,
the word "male " was dropped and the
bill passed. However, on the return OF
thc bill to the Senate, it was withdrawn
by the originator, Senator Comte, who,
himself lawyer of some experience, did
not relish the idea of associate counsel in
in negroes and perhaps women.
MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANIES.
An Assembly bill providing for the
formation Of Mutual Fire and Marine
Insurance Companies, came up during
the week, and the House refused engross-
ment. The Committee on Corporations
reported that it was a very carelessly
drawn attempt to establish on this State
system Of insurance that has been
most thoroughly tried and found wanting
all over the Eastern and Middle States.
The report sets up the probability that if
the bill is passed there will be an insur-
ance company in every town, giving sine
cure Offices to several otherwise idle per
sons, who will prey upon the community
through their corporation. The report
especially deprecates the establishment
Of such Institutions under Il law, when
the best insurance companies Of Califor-
MIA have recently been obliged to sue
cumb to the pressure of the times.
CORPORATIONS.
The Committee ON Corporations few
days since reported on Wilcox's bill con-
cerning corporations. The bill, as intro
duced, provided that one third OF the
stockholders could call stockholders
meeting, at which the holders of one half
of the stock could oust the Board of
Trustees and elect new Board. The
Committee have amended this bill by
striking out lone third " and inserting
/" one half" and striking out one-half'
and inserting "thrce fourths." With
these amendments, they recommended
its passage. The reason for these amend
ments are very plausible, as for instance
give you "A supposabe case. That while
it pretended to protect the minority, it
might be the means of turning out an
honest administration, as well as dis
honest one: Suppose mine, under good
management and in good repute, has
been paying dividends until the lead was
suddenly lost. An honest Board Of Trust
ees would be governed by circumstances,
and stop dividends; but large stock
holder who anticipates depression in the
value of his stock, would cause such a
Board of Trustees to be turned out and Il
more manageable Board elected, who
would borrow money and continue the
dividends until he could dispose of his
stock without loss. The law would be n
bar to mining enterprises, because Trust
eGs, being unable to know for how long
they would hold office, would be reluct-
ant to enter upon contracts for the benefit
Of the mine. Again, capitalists would be
reluctant to loan or advance money to
aid mine in whose present administra-
ton they may have every confidence,
but which may be changed at any mo-
ment for one in whom they can have
more. The Committee deemed that the
bill demanded these amendments.
THE INVESTIGATIONS.
Two standing Committees of the House
are now absent investigating into the af-
fairs Of our public institutions. The
Committee on Public Buildings and
Grounds have been making a thorough
investigation into the matter Of the con-
struction OF the State Normal School at
San Jose, and seem satisfied that the re.
ports Of mismanagement are without
foundation, though they have made no
formal report as yet. Next they go to the
Institution for the Deaf, Dumb and Blind
at the State University, concluding with
the State Capitol and Governors Man
sion. The Prison Committee are at pres
ent looking up matters at that institution.