Weekly Trinity journal., 1874-01-17
FROM THE CAPITAL.
SPECIAL TO THE "TRlNITY JOURNAL, /"
SACRAMENTO, Jan. II, 1874

SACRAMENTO, Jan. II, 1874
The expulsion Of Bell, the Post CORES
pondent, from the Senate caused decid-
ed ripple on the surface of legislative wa
tiers, otherwise very still and uninterest-
ing. The correspondent repeated a rumor
which was prevalent to the effect that
charges Of bribery and corruption in the
Booth election were made by Borucl and
that they formed the subject Of town talk
and that they involved Finney of San
Mateo. The tone of the letter showed
that the writer did not believe them.
Finney in hot haste, however. got up on
his hind legs one day last week, and
moved the expulsion Of Bell from the
/ privileges of the floor. In his speech he
referred to the correspondent as " such
impecunious gentlemen Of the funky,
goose-quill sort" and Edgerton followed
with lick at the pencil brigade. The
resolution passed and Bell was ousted.
This was on Saturday. On Monday it
became evident to the Senate that it had
acted with undue haste and the resolu-
ton was reconsdered and the matter re-
ferred to a special committee which is to
report next week. Neither Finney nor
Edgerton can afford to throw stones, and
their rough language is received with
due consideration by the "press gang"
Of the source from which it comes.
NEW MEASURES.
The Introduction of the bill to establish
a Branch State Prison at Folsom is hail
ed by every one outside Of San Francisco
as a good measure. The bill provides
that work shall be commenced before
+ Oct. next. 1t is to be built of stone from
the Folsom quarries, and convict labor
is to be used in its construction, tempor
ary prison buildings being erected for the
"shippcd boys" The bill provides for
plans, specifications and contracts very
fairly One hundred and seventy-fve
thousand dollars is appropriated to pay
the cost OF construction. The bill is lack
ing in one respect only, it fails TO desig-
nate the class of men to be selected Mt
San Quentin for the Folsom Prison. The
establishment of the Branch " should
be the era for progress in prison reform,
and the question of the separation Of neo-
phytes in crime from the hardened Of
tenders boldly met and settled. The new
prison should be new step in the reior-
nation of the criminal. As it now is,
the commingling Of all classes results in
the contamination of all and the benefit
Of none.
The repeal of the Five Per Cent law
is now an accomplished fact and nothing
can prevent it. 1t is the will Of the peo-
pie it should be so. In the Senate its
consideration brought on lively debate
in which Mr.. Irwin made some sensible
remarks. | listened to him attentively,
and his words had decided effect, ard
add to the Chamber Of Commerce in set
ting men thinking. Santa Cruz wanted
to be excepted from the repeal, fearing it
would prevent her aiding the Santa Cruz
ieAII'OtANt' ~ was IOhtNClS SllONI bIIdb
company had gained vested rights and
the repeal would not damage them. In
cdental to this debate Irwin's speech
> came in. | have no political love for the
Senator, but admire his manly words and
cool judgment. In substance he told the
Senators he believed it a duty to repeal
the act uncondtionally, he voted for the
repeal two years ago and against except
ing the counties then excepted. He would
not, however, in the case Of Santa Cruz,
or any other county, do aught to deprec-
ate issued bonds; he said the proper rela-
ton Of railroad to the community is not
generally understood Railroads as a
matter of deep interest to the people,
should be built at the least possible cost.
He did not know that the anti-subsdy
doctrine is destined to remain the per-
manent doctrine of the American peo-
pie, he believed it would not. If rail
roads are simply private enterprises, it
is the correct doctrine if they are the
great means of commerce Government is
bound to supply them to the people at
lowest possible cost. Whatever road
costs becomes a mortgage for all time on
the industry of the country. For the
time being it is popular to embarass rail-
roads, but it is not an enlightened view.
In this strain he proceeded, awakening
profound thought and warm favorable
comment.
The Ferguson Trespass bill has passed
the Assembly. 1t is measure demanded
by the people as has well been said, be-
ing simply the "No-Fence" law. 1t,
however, does not affect your county.
The matter Of calling a Constitutional
convention is taking shape, and has been
referred to the appropriate committees
in both houses. There is every proba-
biity that the necessary steps to call ii
will be taken.
APPoRTIONMENT.
. Evans bill in the Senate to re-appor-
tion the State and define Senatorial anG
Assembly districts meets with much favor
and will pass with slight amendments ol
none at all. San Francisco, gets one
Senator jointly with San Mateo, and the
city is divided into five Senatorial dis
tricts with two Senators each, and TWEEN,
ty-one Assemblymen. Some think this
too great, but the outer counties viii
scarcely allow any injustice to be done
in this respect. Trinity county is affect
ed by section 20 as follows:
"SEC. 26. The counties of Humboldt
Trinity, Klamath and Del Norte shall be