The record-union., 1893-03-14
THE ACTION ON THE CAPITAL
QUESTION.

QUESTION.
The Legislature has passed the resolu-
ton proposing to the people removal of
the Capital of the State to San. Jose.
If ever submitted, this proposition will
come before the people in November,
1894. But that question aside-the legis-
lative act, now that it has become a SER
mon instead of a song, is the subject of
legitimate criticism, which the hasty and
ill-advised midnight action of the houses
has heretofore prevented.
Removal of the Capital, if ever accom-
plished, means an expenditure by the
taxpayers of not less than seven millions
of dollars. an increase of the tax rate that
will be so enormous, taken with other
State expenses, as to be appalling.
The present Capitol building at the OUT
set cost S2,50O,0O0, and In completion has
cost the State, with surroundings, not
less than S6,000,000. A like, and prob
ably larger, expense this Legislature asks
the people to assume, besides the added
cost of establishing some State institu-
ton in the present Capitol and other
State buildings in this city-and to the
cost of which our people have contributed
so many hundreds of thousands of dol
lars-which will not be abandoned by
the State.
The incidental costs of removal, if ac-
complished, will foot up quite another
million of dollars, and probably more.
In fact that the Legislature counted the
cost is improbable. Indeed, we know
that it did not, as, for instance, when it
was alleged, as it was on the floor of the
Assembly, that 81, 100000 would duplicate
what the State has here.
Such wild and senseless chatter was
consistent with the haste with which the
Legislature acted, and the undignified,
not to say reckless, procedure with
which Concurrent Resolution No. % was
railroaded through and the rights of SEN
ators and Assemblymen protesting were
ridden over rough shod.
l6PlSIdLlN6
history was so important a question
treated with such inconsiderateness, or
based upon such indefensible grounds.
The time will come when the legislators
who were carried away by the insanity
of the moment will regret with bitter
ness that they failed so utterly to deal
hp I.a
to the distinguished body of which the
people have made them members.
Let it be understood we entertain no
bitterness of feeling against the houses
or their membership; their acts we are
dealing with as the legitimate subjects of
fearless criticism. We say that never be-
fore was such an important matter sprung
upon people in the night hours and
rushed through to apparent finality be-
fore the midnight hour struck.
No excuse can be made for the imme-
diate occasion of offense. The Bee did
not and does not express the sentiment
of the people of this city. Its uncalled
for and sweeping assault made upon the
whole membership of the Legislature
was scandalous and indecent. 1t was of
q character of matter decent Journalism
abhors, and is fit only for lovers OF the
bawdy. 1t was off the cloth of a journal
ism that more than all else is calculated
to drag the newspaper business in the
mire.
But neither can we excuse the retalia-
tory action of the houses. The fact is, it
was of character to justify the belief
that it was inspired by unreason and hot
temper that the people will rebuke.
What began, as was alleged, as '.joke,"
resulted in seriousness from which the
perpetrators of the bumor did not extri
cate themselves. The action was not the
result of any popular demand. The peo-
pie have not at any time instructed their
representatives to take the step. They
are not representing the viii of the peo-
pie by the action taken.