The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-12-27

April 2. 1885, In en- assault against tho fortin-
cations OF Chalchuapa.
The sketch Of the recent political history of
California is particularly worth marking in
view Of the approaching Presidential election.
The pivotal event which separates the pre-
vious from tho present era Is the adoption OF
tho new Constitution. Mr.. Bancroft recounts
succinctly but clearly the circumstances under
which the change took place. During the
rlotous agitation against Chinese laborers In
1878 tho interests not only Of monopollsts.
but Of capitalists in general wore seriously
endangered by the incendiary demonstrations
OF the mob. A panic In the mining stock mar
ket accompanied by commercial crisis. had
lent intensity to the popular feeling against
the manipulations OF stock dealers and mine
owners. Land owners also were denounced
for hinderng settlement development and
employment. by keeping large tracts out Of
the market. Tho cultivation OF largo estates
by the methods permitted by the benign eli
mate and soil OF California operated against n
regular employment Of working men and led
t. long seasons Of idleness and to vagrnncy.
FOR this and many another grievance capital
lists were blamed. and 80 threatening became
the attitude OF a section Of the San francisco
population that the vigilance committee which
had slumbered since 1856 was instigated
to como forth and allay disorder The
leader OF the more violent agitators
was an Irish drayman named Dennis
Kearney. Finding that intimidation did not
answer. he endeavored to perfect the organi-
cation of his followers. and to weld them. to-
gether with some moe orderly sympathizers
into workingman's party. whose programme
fha nh ~ ha
treaty. equalization Of taxes. judicial reform.
and other measures. Other parties presently
joined in the demand for O revision OF tho
State Constitution. The organic law which
then existed had been copied after that OF
more agricultural States and was declared I'M
suited to the peculiar climate. resources. and
conditions OF California. 1t was urged that
taxes, expenditures. and grants should be SO
regulated as to lift thcm above the whims OF
a changing and easily corrupted Legislature
An agreement was at last reached to call a
Constitutional Convention. which met in Sep
TENDER. 1873. with 152 delegates. OF whom S5
were non-partisans. so were workingmen.
aud only II We're Republicans and Democrats.
OF the whole number moro than a fifth were
foreign born The influence OF tho working
class is perceptible in several clauses Of tho
new organic law. intended to assure the pro.
lection OF labor against capital. A proposition
for a property qualification for voters was
promptly set aside. The Legislature was for
hidden to charter roads. to lend the credit Of
the State. to grant aid to corporations or indi-
viduals. or to dispose OF water which ought to
be preserved for public use: special lcgisla-
ton. in fact. was largely restricted. Corpora
lions were so infinitely regulated in respect OF
management as we'll as taxation. and railways
were SO completely subordinated to a commits
sion for supervising charges and traffic that
vehement remonstrances were made by stock
holders. and many capitalists departed from
the State Property Of every kind. including
money. credits. bonds. mortgages and fran
chises. was subjected to taxation. and land.
whether cultivated or not. was taxed to pre-
cisely the same extent. when OF like grade
and in like position. tho aim being to
discourage large holdings for purposes OF
spoculations. The school fund WAS B.,
be applied only to primary and grammar
schools. State indebtedness was limited to
100000. except in case of war or by
the specific consent Of the voters. In
civil cnsos tho verdict OF tho majority
Of tho jury was to be admissible. and precau-
tions were taken to insure speedy trials. The
government OF cities was left almost entirely
to their inhabitants. 50 rs to obviate legisla-
tive interference. 1t was provided that no
county or municipality should spend moro
than Its yearly Income except with the con-
sent OF two-thirds OF tho registered voters
The presence Of foreigners Ineligible for cit
izenship was declared detrimental to the State
The coolie system was forbidden. Finally
eight hours were to constitute days work on
all contracts
No sooner was the draft OF this Constitution
published than 1t provoked great deal Of
criticism. and 80 many doubts concerning 1t
arose among the workingmen themselves that
San Francisco. their stronghold. actually re-
jectsd 1t: 1t was tho farmers who. allured by
the prospect OF lighter taxation. passed it by a
small majority. and made 1t binding upon the
State Mr.. Bancroft thinks that amendments
OF the old Constitution would have answered
better. for the new document failed to accom-
plish its main objects. the regulation Of cor |
porations and equalization OF taxation. The |
Chinese incubus was not removed. and bribery |
and corruption continued to flourish. Amend |
ments to enforce the control OF railways were |
introduced. but were rejected by the voters. |
San Francisco likewise refused to adopt any |
OF the charters submitted to tho electors in
accordance with tho new organic law
In 1879 tho Republicans made a vigorous
effort to recover possession OF tho State. and |
succeeded In installing George c. Perkins in
the post Of Governor The Democrats and
elected tho Judges OF the Su-
preme Court, but tho Republicans carried tho
Congress delegation and obtained majority
In the State Senate and practically in tho As
selnbly. Mr.. Bancroft admits that the over
throw Of the reconstruction party was largely
due to the use OF money In tho following year
the Democrats obtained slight majority for
Cen. Hancock as Presidential candidate. but
The Republicans divided with them the Con-
md gained n decided majority In
ho Legislature. They We're consequently
lblo TO send TO tho United States Senate
John +. Miller. o former State Senator of
Indiana. who had risen TO the rank OF Major
General during the civil war. after which he