Weekly Trinity journal., 1874-04-04
OUR AGENTS: :
SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 1871.
F1ILEn, AND WHY.

ot inc Heopio lOf legislative action upon
The subject of Fares and Frcights.-
Whether this demand was a Just, or only
iactious one it's not our present purpose
TO inquire. We have only to deal with
tActs-and these show that so universal
was this demand, that upon this question
alone thcre arose party which, made up
cfoh line Republicans and old line DEM
ocrats achieved triumph over the old
organizations in their chosen strongholds,
Hhe more startling that it was in great
measure unexpected. In addition to its
Success as a party, it made its one prin-
ciple part OF the platform of the other
organizations to such an extent that it's
chief newspaper organs tFiumphaRtly
claimed, when the result of the election
became known, that not single avowed
friend of the railroad had been elected to
either branch of the Legislature.
Yet the Twentieth Session of the Cali
ferna Legislature came to a close last
Monday, and the great question which
has grown upon the public mind until it
ovcrshadowed all others, remains in ex-
actly the position it held The day Che ses-
sion commenced. The Railroad Compa-
ny haye two years longer lease of pow
er, and the regulation of railway trans
portation remains an open one in our To-
cal politics. The lofty promises of re-
form which were to be carried into every
department of the government, have cul-
minated in saving the State few post
age stamps the stoppage of the usual
outlay for newspapers, ana the withhold
ing of the usual appropriations to deserv
ing charities. For the lack of necessary
legislation upon matters Of public impor-
tancc, the responsibility rests upon the
new party-and there it will remain. 1t
came into power with profusion Of prom
isos, not one of which has been fulfilled.
Most of all was il pledged 10 find sou-
ton to this problem of railway transport
tation yet with the almost universal
sentiment Of the people TO sustain it in
any reasonable action it might take to
dCCOillDllsll lilG utSlICu clu, ~ ledNCS lllC
subject just where it found it, Why this
is the case is easily answered. 1t sought
not the good of the people, but the graft
fication of personal ambition and private
revenge. The honest anti-monopoly sem
timent, which strongly predomnated in
both branches of the Legislature, was
sought to be dragooned into the support
of a law so revolving to common justice
and common sense, that when submitted
TO a calm, patient and impartial investi-
cation, it was at once pronounced an inn
practicable absurdity by every candid un-
prejudced mind. Legislation of that
kind was not what the people wantcd.-
What they desired was legislation which
should be just TO all parties. They felt it
was right that the State should assert its
right to control the corporations created
under its laws; if practicable, equalize
charges prevent unjust determinations ;
and take such action generally as would
protect the rights of citizens F; but not to
pass n law which should impair the use
tulness Of, or crush the corporations out
of existence. Yot this is exactly what
the dominant party in the Assembly has
sought to accomplish. Two or three gu
bernatoral and congressional aspirants,
among the seff-consttuted leaders of the
new party in that body forced through
the extreme measure dictated by the Sac
70 t.nauti,o, f,11 xral1 thof II
the Senate did its duty, it would be con-
signed to the tomb of the Capulets. And
never before in tha. history of legislation,
was the wisdom Of having one branch OF
the lawmaking bodies composed in part
of hold over members who had been cho-
sen at a time when stultifying pledges
were not eXacted, made more manifest
The Senate came to the consideration ol
the question with a calm, unpreudiced
Judgment. Some of the members of it,
committee on corporations were mer
whose record upon railroad matters dur
ing former years was above reproach.-
And the result was that when the chiel
Assembly measure came up for action
instead of "going it blind" as had beer
done in the othor body, it met with ar
investigation commensurate with the i'm
portahce Cf the subject at issue.
The failure of tie Legislature to pas
any kind of regulating act upon thi
matter, had ought TO teach voters salu
tary lesson-that these one-ideab mer
are hot reliable counselors upon matters
conhectcd with their pet hobby. Nearly,
if not all the members of the Legislature
were pledged, directly or impliedly, to
leglslate for the reduction Of fares and
freights. Under the lash of the Sacta.
mento Union and at its insolent dictatior
the Assembly passed the Freeman bill
some of its members protesting against
while voting for, the measure. Such {
pitiful exhibition Of a lack of moral cour
age has never before been exhibited in
lgi,lative body. The Senate was com
posed of better material. 1t chose to la
Dor for the public welfare rather than tn
qualification Of pcfsonal bition or petit
spite. With tic two houses working b
such widely different ends, there could b.
no compromise Of opinion, hence the eff
forts to regulate and reduce the presen
rates of transportation and passongei
travel have proved an utter failure.
-
IN Onion Valley, Plumas county, Tho
snow is twenty-three feet deep on a level
without drifting. The houses are coverl