The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-03-02

Bridget Gately. ard the ancestors on both
sides were noted people. AS early as the
ninth century there were several distin-
gnished as chiefs, bishops and abbots.
The boY John was early taught TO work
and when very young in years was ia
miliar with all the duties Of the farm. He
was given a fair common school education
before he left for America in 1912 and then
placed in a Latin school in Maryland.
His sisters, who had preceded him to this
country. desired him to become a priest,
but as his inclinations were not in that
direction be was apprenticed to druggist
in Washington. With fair knowledge of
his business he went South and spent a
year ia a drug and stationery store in
Vicksburg, after which he spent three
years in Cincinnati in partnership with
John Darling.
In 1649 the great stories about Califor-
MIA attracted him and he started for San
Francisco by way of the isthmus in spite
of the efforts of his friends to induce him
to remain at home.
When Downey landed in San Francisco
after a voyage of eignty-seyen days he
had just $40 and gold watch to his name.
There was nothing for him to do but go to
WOIh III LIE SOlu IHluCe, 81 no pdWueu HIS
watch for $50 and had enough to take him
to Sacramento. Thence be went TO Marys-
vile and Grass Valley, where he had a
little experience in the way of miners
life by working in water up to his knees
and other similar duties.
Satisfied that mining was not his place
in life, he returned to San Francisco and
went to work in the Wholesale drug house
of Henry johnson & Co.. but was soon
lured away to Los Angeles, where he
opened a drugstore in partnership with
DR.. Mcfarland.
He soon became a prominent citizen
and was identified with all public move
ments and held several minor public
Offices. among them being the Collector
ship Of the Port of San Pedro. His bust
ness spread and he owned large tracts of
land and had cattle grazing all over the
county.
When John G. Downev took his seat as
Governor of California on the 14th OF
January, 1860. times were exciting and
momentous issues of State and nation
were at stake. The election had returned
Milton 5. Latham for Governor and John
g. Downey, Lieutenant Governor, over
the Republican candidates. Leland STAN
ford and James F. Kennedy.
The campaign was heated one and re-
suited in the famous duel between the
champions. Terry and Broderick. The
death of Broderick left vacant seat in
the United States Senate and the Califor.
MIA Legislature at once elected the newly
inaugurated Governor Latham TO fill the
place, thus constituting John g. Downey
the seventh Governor Of California.
Governor Downey was not then widely
known. but his canacity and integrity. to
which Governor Latham had referred
in his letter of resignation, soon asserted
themselves, and his reputation rapidly
spread as an executive of great ability ano
eminent character. His administrator
was noted for momentous disorder, fol
not only was the State attacked by enc
mics from without. but it was assailed b,
foes within its borders. Governor Dow
ney closely investigated every bill sub
mitted TO him and used the veto powe
without fear or favor. The lobby was yer,
strong and many unrighteous measure
were introduced only 10 be arrested by th
strong hand of the executive.
The veto which gave Governor Downe,
his greatest fame was probably that of til
Bulkhead Dill OF 1860. This bill proposes
to grant to the San Francisco Dock an
Wharf Company. composed of a humble
OF prominent men, the right to build
bulkhead or seawall, with the neees
sary piers. wharves and docks, upo
the water line of 1851. with the RICH
to collect dockage, wharfage and tolls
In yetoing this remarkable measur
Governor Downey pointed out how,
passed, private corporation would cor
troll the commerce Of San Francisco. O.
the question of passing the bill over tn
veto the Senate was evenly divided an
the bill was killed. When the Governo
next visited San Francisco the populac
turned out in his honor and escorted hir
from the wharf to his hotel, where gran
ovation was held.
Governor Downey retired from the e,
ecutiye office in 1862 aud the next year h
,-oc again a candidate running again.