Los Angeles herald., 1909-10-06

ing on the meeting to resolve itself into
a committee which would call a general
meeting that would proceed to form
a new state. He declared the old Pico
law. still being in force, it was but
necessary to invoke that law. and all
would be smooth sailing. He offered
the following outline of procedure and
notion:
plain
congress to that effect.
And we must petition congress Ior
an enabling act to organize a separate
government for the southern counties
specified
"The statutes of 1859, page 311. sec
tion 4. provides that The connection
now existing between the said state
and parts of counties to the segrega-
tion of which the legislature hereby
consents shall continue 10
all intents and purposes until the or
ganization and establishment OF a
separate government therefor. under
law Of congress to that effect
"And section provides that
should congress so act on the con-
sent hereby given as to organize a
separate government for the southern
counties as herein specified y
"Therefore I move that it is toe
sense of this convention that we should
proceed diligently to help organize a
separate government for the southern
counties specified in the act approved
Anril 1S 1859, and to that end this
convention. when it adjourns, ad-
iourns TO meet at the call of the chair
man and secretary in this city not
later than thirty days from this date
and that all civic bodies in those coun-
ties he invited to elect delegates 10
such convention and that each civic
body be allowed ten delegates, ana at
such convention a form of address ana
ne+ition be adopted. and a commission
he elected to present the matter to
congress, and that such other steps oe
taken in the matter as such convention
shall deem proper.
Motion Is Lost
Subsequently this motion was lost
and the resolution quoted before was
carried as a substitute.
In discussing Mr.. Gould's motion, E.
w Britt declared the Pico law, on
which Mr.. Gould's hopes were based,
vas dead through the lapse of time.
Mr Britt said also that state division
was not a new thing, and that 1t had
been bobbing up serenely for nearly
sixtv wears. at intervals, but that each
time state division came up s an
issue before the people it died. He put
himself on record as unalterab'y op-
nosed to cutting up the state, declar-
ing the action was illegal and that 1t
would never have the sanction OF
congress which is not divided into
Republican and Democratic sides, but
into eastern and western delegations
Mr.. Britt said there was no real sentl-
ment for state division, but he was
quickly righted on this and forced to
admit his error.
Replying to Mr.. Britt, It. z. Gibboh
said that because state division had
been making its appearance for sixty
years, although it had died out from
lack of support, 1t was proof positive
there is a real, vital and lasting senti-
ment in favor of a state of South
California. For this reason, said Mr..
Gibbon, the time has come when care
full investigation of the merits of the
sentiment should be made, and if found
to be greater than the dement's efforts
should be made to bring about what
the people desire.
Others present spoke along the same
lines. Chairman Wallace said that
state division could not be accom-
plished in a few weeks or months, but
would probably come only after a year
or more of constant endeavor. He was
in favor of going into the matter now,
and not putting off [or long that which
manifestly should be done now.
At the conclusion of the discussion
Mr.. Gibbons motion was carried and
the meeting adjourned until Decem-
ber 1.