The Alaska citizen., 1916-07-31

California would indicate that no time was lost in abolishing laws and customs not considered in accord with the United States spirit and civic scheme.
 When Texas broke away from it's Mexican government and formulated the very first sections legalized the marriage of slaves contracted during the war, and another section forever prohibited lotteries. These two things were Mexican customs-of r,- missness and of recreation The Mexicans remaining resident within the Texan borders demurred in vain.
 Ill California the first state leg islature on April 20 1850, repealed every existing Mexican-Spanish law but one-that providing for a juez de campo, or judge of the plain Wiping the slate clean appeared to be thought the best blending pro- cess of that day. The California ranchero, with his picturesque earb and his superb horsemanship, disap- peared gradually. His customs went with him. No more fights between bulls and bears at the presidios; No more betrothing of children eight and ten years of age; no more mar rying of girls at thirteen or fourteen years.
 A ball was gwen at Monterey by the American conquerors April g.. 1847. Commodore Riddle and suite were there and so were General Kearney and staff and former Mexi can Governor J. B. Alverado, show ing that the blend was beginning. A local paper stated that the Mexican Californian ladies had been for a month debating whether they should adopt the bonnets of American ladies or retain the time-honored Spanish Mexican mantilla.
 Something of old California life still fingers in Monterey in spots, and in San Diego, Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. But the blend be- gun so energetically has about Am ericanized everything so that you have to call it absorption rather than amalgamation. Fights over land ra Americans California mingling at the start. It is likely Mexican annexa- tion would yield a great grist of land disputes for the Greater Unit ed States courts to pass on.
 l Where the United States and new ly annexed territory have started in their blended life it has been found that the garb of the new coun- try has won the American at the border zone where there is daily mingling. Texas continues under the Stars and Stripes many things in vogue under the Lone Star. The sombrero is an inheritance. A good working knowledge of Spanish is found all along the border. Some of the words and phrases of the Mexican that seem quaintly apropos have been permanently adopted.
 You'll hear a swearing Texan say, You come here, muy pronto!" It seems to emphasize-to him-that he wants quick action.
 When New Mexico and California were annexed as result of the Mexican war of 1845-47 the Ameri- cans occupying the territories and living their daily life with the Mexi- can residents found the same shal- low views of the permanency and majesty of the law. In California, | in particular after the natives had hailed the American army with joy, they almost immediately turned on the newcomers with revolt against what they termed the bondage" threatening them at the hands of the Gringoes.
 In New Mexico General s. w. Kearney's troops found the same changeable characteristics in the makeup of the natives They never would stay "hitched" to any one plan or principle They abhorred sla"- cry, but they practicad peonage. They sold to their help at the sell CTS own price and kept the peon in debt for his life.
 Colonel P. St. G. Cooke, command ing part of the expedition of con quest, said at the time: These peons have been informed that they shall soon have a voice in their own gov ernment. Doubtless this fragrant servitude will be gradually broken up; but when shall such people be capable of self-government? There will be territorial government for thirty years-and the language will