Los Angeles daily herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1884-1890, 1886-07-17

Elsewhere appears tne proci"ii"
ton OF Gov. Stoneman convening
special session of the Legislature TO
assemble at Sacramento on the Zoth
inst. There have been Tor some
time limitations that such docu'
ment was likely to appear. The
Governor in sonorous sentences EN-
phasizes the great importance OF Sc
curing 10 the orchardists and agri-
oulturists of California continuance
Of the blessings which have accrued
TO them from the application oil the
old Spanish law which admits oil the
distribution OF the waters OF running
streams for purposes OF irrigation.
His summary OF the evils which have
flowed from the recent decision Of
the Supreme Court in the case OIL
Miller 4 Lux v. Haggin is not only
cogent but eloquent. Its full textwill
be found elsewhere. The purposes
sought to be accomplished by the
special session are
lst-The submission Of an amend
ment or amendments to Article NV.
Of the Constitution Of California rela-
tive to Water and Water Rights.
2nd-To propose and submit to the
people Of the State such an amend
ment or amendments to the Constr
tuition rs may be necessary and pro-
per TO secure to the people the right
Of appropriation, diversion and use
Of flowing waters for irrigation or
other beneficial purposes, and as may
be necessary or proper to protect all
such rights in the Courts of the State.
3rd-To enact all laws necessary or
proper to protect the people OF the
State in the full and free enjoyment
Of the right TO appropriate, divert
and use flowing water in the State for
irrigation and other beneficial pur-
poses, to protect such rights, etc.
4th--To repeal section 1922 of the
Civil Code.
5th--To propose and submit to the
people Of the State an amendment to
repeal Article VII. of the Constitu-
ton relative to the Judicial Depart
ment, 30 far as it relates 10 the STU
preme Court.
6th--To enact a law TO provide for
submitting the Constitutional amend
A,ents proposed to vote Of the peo-
pie.
7th--To provide for the expenses,
ETC., of the extra session.
In the brief compass which such a
document admits Of, Governor Stone
nan has made quite eloquent ar
raignment OF the present constitution
Of the Supreme Court of California,
which is confessedly cum brous and
unsatisfactory body, with very inn
perfectly adjusted functions. There
probably could not be a more auspi-
eious time for its reconstruction.
Justice Ross has already resigned.
II is generally understood that Chief
Justice Morrison is about TO resign.
Quite number Of the other members
Of this august tribunal are suffering
rom pronounced ill-health.
We do not think that there could
be y better time TO test the sense OF
the people ON these important matters
than the present, OF course it is
idle TO dispute the fact that the peo-
Pile as a rule are opposed to special
sessions Of the Legislature. On the
ground of expense alone they are to
be deprecated. But in the presence
of great and oversh allowing issues it
is right TO take the sense OF the
masses. While the old aphorism
that the voice of the people is the
voice Of God may be exaggerated,
nevertheless, in free common
wealth, the voters should often be in
vited to express their explicit prefer
ences, and to indicate in an unmis-
taxable manner their views as to the
chart which ought TO be adopted for
the guidance of the ship OF state.