The Placer herald., 1874-01-10
SACRAMENTO CORRESPONDENCE.
[FRoM SPECIAL CoRREsP sPoNDENT1
....'I SACRAMENTO, Jan. z, 1874.

-4.-..Il SACRAMENTO, Jan. z, 1874.
ED. HERALD .. Di "a
The interval that has elapsed since last
wrote you seems longer to me probably than to
many Of our Legislators and the attaches who
returned to their families to enjoy their Christ
mas and New-Years dinners. Then, again, il
was so pleasant to reflect that their pay was not
on holiday, but was accumulatny exactly as
when they had the harness on. Now, am not
of vengeful disposition, but those men who
can take pay for II days in which they gave no
service to the people of the State and think il
well, ought also to have voted to take few pa.
pers. that through their columns they might
were the wants of the whole people. Mr.. Oul-
ton said two morning papers were plenty for
my legislator. Yes, San Francisco is, in her es
timatlon all of the State that needs legislation
the morning papers forsooth. Then, these
economists who thnnght it wrong to vote few
dollars for stamps to send ont documents, will,
II course they will, give the State back the pa,
they drew for the time of absence 1T home. OF
course they will never think of doing so; nol
would your correspondent say n word about II
# they had not made such loud professions o
economy Seriously speaking the Constitution
ouRIi 10 pe hlntnuttt, so as 10 meet AFTER tnt
holidays and only for so days. This would give
time enough for all useful legislation, and leav,
20 days for buncombe speeches; and such
speeches are essential to the health of many
members. Then, this would save $40 600 from
our expenditures, which, to State already bur-
dened with taxes, Is something. .
LEa1sLAr1oN ..aa
So little time has occurred since the members
haN t,la tloir l,,,k h,,k
of Legislation has been effected.
The JOINT resolution to promote agriculture
was taken up on the 5th and finally passed the
Senate and was sent to the Governor for h =
signature. 1t was for the modification of tn,
duty on bags an bagging. ....,
| bin was introduced by Bowers, Of San Die
go, in behalf of the
SOUTHERN RAIL ROAD,
and after a sharp debate was defeated. This
shows decided change in pnblic sentiment
| from the days when the whole Of the water front
| of Sacramento was given to the Central Pacific
This bill gave the southern Road large portion
Of the harbor Of San Diego and it appears all
| the citizens wanted to give it away, so anxious
| are they now for n road to their city that the,
10 not reflect on the consequences, such action
| must have on the future of San Diego, which
| will one day need all the harbor thev have Ii
| is true, this road is or will be in competition
| with the Central, yet that cannot justify th.
,ft of SO much of hen harbor. 1t was com
plete triumph to the anti-monor olsts; the bill!
being lost by 3G to "a
OFFICIAL MISCONDUCT.
The Judiciary Committee reported unfavora-
bly, on the bill introduced by Roach for the pre-
'ention and pun shment of official misconduct.
| 'TSay ooi1 Of apI 4 ~,
the Code, and that the last and the one that vi.
talized the others, would have a tendency to en-
| courage vexatious suits. Roach made few re-
marks in explanation that completely answered
the objections and he had it rc-committed to tn,
committee. He reasoned correctly that the onl,
way to unearth official orother frrudS vas to oftl
asutficient reward. and that the reward ought not
to be participated in by the officer. Bribery il
rank and crying sin, and ought to be pun
| ished. ...i-... .. l,. .....,.'7
| CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
Mr.. Irwin introduced a Joint resolution to
amend the Constitution so as to facilitate the
collection Of our revenue, and not have our sys.
tenn always threatened to be overthrown by
decision of the Supreme Court. His resou
ton is to amend sec. 13 of article11, 80 as te
read Taxation shall be equal and uni orn
throughout the State. Al properly throughout
the State shall be taxed in propo ton to it's val
ne, to be ascertained as directed by law" This
cuts off all that portion that makes it requisit.
20 elect all Assesso:s and Collectors of town
| county and State taxes, and will prevent the ne
cessity OF changing our revenue laws. This
amendment ought to have been made long ago
for it seems pfain that each and every Board OF
| Equalization, when it raises the taxes of ooun
ty makes an asse 'sment; and it not being elect
ed by the qualified electors Of the district is
not, under our present Constitution, body EN-.
powered thus to act. Whle too many amend.
this and the one changing the time of the meet
ing OF the Legislature seem to be needed.
REFORMS.
There is evidently a desire in our present
IncislntIire 70 cnf of INV nnnacessnrv axnana;