The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1880-03-12
LETTER FROM CALIFORNIA.
TuKLoCK, Stanfslaus Co, Cal,

DEAR FRKEHAr-We Californiaus are now q
lawlcss people The new constitution fs all VIC
have to guide US, and very few, even among law
yers and judges understand that document. The
sweeping changes are in tho judiciary, the school
system, the power Of corporations, and the mode
OF raising revenue Inc law. under the old con.
sfttution had been codified. There was a criminal
code civil code, political code, end code OF
civil procedure. These codes are now not worth
button. The probate courts, the county courts,
and the district courts were abolished, and a su-
peror court having general jurisdiction establish
In every county. The change is great that there
must be new laws and new codes. Equally i'm por-
tant changes were made in school matters in TAX
alton, and in corporate powers.
The constitution limits a session of the Legisla-
that time has elapsed, and but important bill
from mpIovfng Chinese 1Iere win bs snI,esis
to the L. > Courts, and the State constitution and
laws viii be pronounced unconstitutional. This
will end that farce. But there be no schools,
no tax laid no assessments made, etc. until there
arc laws made, and forty daysis not sufficient time
Ia which to pass such laws even if they should
thousand acts 70 be passed in order to start the
machine again TO run it used to did. If the
Legislature sits beyond the hundred days,
tAneI3 acI passed during the excess viii be uncon-
sttutlOnal. The assessors waiting: the col
lectors are waiting; the courts waiting the Of
nceTS are waiting; the school men are waiting /;
the capitalists waiting; the railroads are wait
Incorporated are waiting; onceholders and office
seekers are waiting; incumbents are waiting for
appropriations 10 get their salaries; the supreme
court Us waiting ana the devil is waittng-for them
all. When the Legislature adjOurns he will Just
scoop them all home. Miners are waiting to
know whether they can dump debris into the rivers
or not. Farmers are waiting to know il the grain
now growing shall be taxed. Sheep and cattle
men are waiting to know if they can follow their
respective occupations without license. Liquor
men are waiting. Liquor sellers are waiting. Wo-
men lire waiting TO know If they can't be sole
traders under the new constitution. Commercial
men arc waiting. and the heather Chinee is wait
ing 10 see what he must do and where he must 20.
There is anarchy and chaos mixed up. As time
passes people are getting more anxious. They
blame the Legislature and the Legislature blames
the Constitutional convention. The convention
bames the people the people blame the courts,
and the courts blame the Legislature; and thus il
runs around in a circle.
If a criminal is arrested, he is taken before the
court writ OF haJedS corpus; If the court sends
him back to prison exceptions arc taken and there
are appeals daily TO the supreme court which is
not sure that il has power TO act. Some hold that
all the old laws. courts and officers abrogated
by the adoption OF the new constitution, while 9th
hold that the old laws, courts and officers are
good till the first Of July, 1880
The best lawyers and the best judges differ, fOI
there are Inconsistencies in the new organic Law
that give both sides right to form opposite opIn
ions. l could mention some Of them, but have
not time now.
We have Just had a hne rama three day rain
the best Of the season, and farmers are Jubilant
People now think there viii be more wheat raised
this year in California than ever raised in any
one year before. The cold spell, which lasted
iull month, was followed by splendid rain.
y ours, truly, Ron Roy.