Weekly Trinity journal., 1874-01-24
FROM THE CAPITAL.
SPECIAL 10 TIE "7RINlTf JOURNAL, i"

our form Of government and is generally
unwise. The correctness of this conclu-
sion is not to be doubted, but it does seem
hard upon the old pioneer.
WOMAN SUFFRAGE.
The memorial Of the Woman Suffrage
Association caused the Assembly to raise
a committee to consider it, but the Sen
ate laid the proposition on the table. I
met several women this week who are
urging the universal suffrage question,
and are determined to make the Legisla-
ture say yes or no.
The wranglc continues over the pay Of
legislative employees, and bill is pend
ing fixing. the per diem of clerks for future
Legislatures. The rates are very low.
The joint committee on hospitals and
asylums which have received aid from
the State, has been ordered to visit each
institution. They wanted a clerk, and a
clerk has been allowed them, but his pay
fixed at 81 per day with no mileage, and
heto pay all his own expenses. No com
petent man can be found, unless he
is willing to throw money away by tax
ing the office. This is a specimen Of the
niggardly reform in little things Of which
this body has been guilty.
The bill has passed and been signed by
the Governor prohibiting the sale of liq-
uors within given distance Of the Napa
Insane Asylum. This is the second bill
Of this character which has passed both
houses. 1t is direct prohibition, but cow
ardly prohibition. Ii it is an evil and
wrong to sell strong drink within certain
limits, then it is wrong to sell at all. Ev-
cry man has-the same right to be protect
ed from the evil as has a State institution
or any particular locality. Yet the men
who advocate and admit the justice of
prohibition in part Of the State, would
oppose n general application of the law.
In the latter case it would be an "lnter-
ference with human rights of course.
Yet no earthly reason can evolve the
shadow Of difference between the two
cases, for breadth of territory cannot
change a moral principle.
Senator Evans has introduced a. bill to
regulate the liabilities of hotel keepers.
II there is a safe the guest, to hold the
landlord, must deposit valuables therein.
The terms of the hotel must be posted,
and it is eXtortion to collect more than
those rates. Procuring board or lodgings
by fraudulent misrepresentation is made
misdemeanor. The landlords all favor
the bill and it will pass.
ABoLIsHING OFFICES.
Senator Lanes bill to abolish the Of
fee OF Adjutant General and all its dep
uties and bespang!ed staff meets with ia
yor. 1t is proposed to have a military
secretary who shall look out for the State
arms and keep the militia records for the
Commander-n- chief
A bill has been introduced in the As
sembly to abolish the office of Deputy
Supreme Court Clerk. This should not
prevail. a dcputy in that office is abso-
lutely necessary. In case of the illness
or necessary absence of the Clerk, the
Court would cease without the Deputy.
ANOTHER REFORM.
Another reform measure is the pro-
posed removal of the Supreme Court to
San Francisco or Oakland. 1t is an in
famous measure, originating with the
Bar of San Francisco. There is no rea-
son for it. If the Supreme Court wishes
to do more work, let it reduce the num-
Der of its opinions. Think of it, % years
n court and A volumes issued of reports
and the last year and half behind
If half the opinions were bench decisions
the Court could easily do its work. No
State in the Union, rs can be shown, has
so many opinions rendered by 30 per cent
as this State by its Supreme bench. As
for climate, that is bosh. The idea that
the heated months of Sacramento pre-
vent work in the "Capital lee House"
is very thin rubbish. How would it be
with the fogs, winds and general mean
ness of weather at the Bay. The Judi
cary is branch of the Government, nee
essarily and properly located at the seat
of Government, and that propricty should
overcome all local inconvenience. If
all lawyers who come here to the Su-
preme Court do, as is said, go to San
Francisco any how, why let them, but
let them not do it at the expense of their
clients. Doubtless the theatcrs and eX-
elements of San Francisco are attract
i've to rural minds, but | doubt their ben
eticial influence.
Murphy wants the old law against car
ying concealed weapons re-enacted. 1t
will not win. Public sentiment does not
favor it, yet so far as my knowledge of it
reaches, after effort to sound it, laws to
be effective must be in accord with popu-
lar will, and that is an unainching test.
Freeman wants a new Office created
that of Bank COMMISSIONER salary
ofS3, 600 and deputy at $3.50 per month.
lie is to investigate the condition of all
banks. Members do not favor it. What
they cry for now is reduction and not Gre
alton Of Offices.
INNE6TIGATIoNs, Etc.
We are TO have Investigations. The
Boruek charges have been sufficient to
stir up the Legislature and committee
has been named to investigate, with pow
er to send for persons and papers. | YER
lily believe this will end it and the com
mitteo will never report. The hospitals
are to be overhauled, and a committee
has them in hand as also all charitable
asNlnms. The State Prison is to be ex-