Year: 1860




Fps. DEMOCRAT: Both Houses Of the legisla-
ture had an exciting debate on Friday over prop
osition to adjourn every week until Tuesday morn
inc whereby the members would have an opportu-
nity Of visiting San Francisco Saturday, without
being compelled to ask leave Of absence for Mon
day. which would enable them to draw their pay for
that day without having it entered on the journals
0abseut on leave !" and as Of them pride them
selves and make it boast that they have not been
out Of their seats day during the session, the prop
ostion, Of course met with considerable favor, but
was finally voted down after great deal OF useless
and nonsensica talk and much valuable time thrown
away. The legislature regards the payment OF some
ten thousand and odd dollars monthly, for the sup
port of the State Prison, as something monstrous,
and cry out vehemently for reformation in
ter but they never for take into consideration
that they are squandering ten thousand dollars ev-
cry week, of the peoples money, in idle and flvo-
Gus talk upon silly and unimportant motions with
vain attempt to be funny, and an abortion upon wit
or smartness. 1t is really sickening to see MEM
bers Of body, whose deliberations should be char
acterized with dignity and decorum, avail them
selves Of every opportunity that offers, TO say some
thing which they imagine to be very funny, think
ing that by so doing they establish regulations for
being "smart fellers." Such conduct, let me assure
them only lowers them in the estimation of all men
Of sound sense and good judgment, and the sooner
they reform this habit the sooner will they deserve
to be called respectable men, and decent legislators
While they are seeking to reform and curtail the
affairs Of the State Prison, let them look little at
home, finish their business and adjourn. They
could accomplish all that is required of them within
thirty or forty days at the outside and then adjourn
and by SO doing they would not only save large
amount Of money to the State, but be entitled to
the everlasting thanks Of the present and all future
generations. Nearly all the business that has been
brought before either House, up to the time Of the
present writing, partakes almost exclusively OF
local character which does not relate to the masses
in the least and the number Of special acts intro
duced for the relief of private individuals is truly
tonishing.


The State Prison Committee have not yet made
their report, and it is understood that they wait
ing on Mr.. McCauley, to whom they have made
propositions. McCauley puts in claim against
the State for some 100000 and asks that it be
paid; but understand the Committee will recon-
mend that the State do not pay cent unless he
will turn the Prison over and release the State from
all claims for damages which he maintains he is en-
titled to. firmly believe that this question, which
has so long been the source of so much trouble and
expense to the State, will be finally disposed of this
winter and trust in such manner as will be sat-
isfactory to all.


Petitions praying for the passage Of a Sunday law
flow in from all quarters. Yesterday one was hand
ed in from citizens of Placer county.


Yesterday the Senate passed the bill allowing j..
w. Lockwood 81, 500 for injuries received while as
sisting to arrest gang of robbers.


The bill to release the bondsmen Of the late State
Treasurer Bates, passed the Assembly yesterday, as
also one for the relief OF A. D. Park late Treasurer
of FL Doredo County. This last subject drew from
Mr.. Fairchild member from Ell Dorado, long and
windy speech; or can hardly call it speech, but
a string of jumbled up words long drawn out dey-
cred in the most excrutiating and agonizing man
ner, that it has ever been my misfortune to listen to-
What the people of Ell Dorado could have been
thinking Of when they sent this man to the legisla
ture, am at a loss to imagine. Why, he speak
ing to stones, would make them susceptible" of
feeling of agony. The majority of the members
generally go to sleep when he gets up to speak, and
thus escapes the inhiction.


The Bachelors Homestead bill, was, upon motion
made the special order for the l4th inst, (St. VAL
entines day. when it is understood certain young
and enthusiastic Senators will make their views
known by prepared speeches, especially for the
casion. Very appropriate day most certain, for the
discussion of this very important subject.


Tomorrow Senator Latham will sail for Wash
ington. Consequently great majority of the leg
islature went to the bay yesterday to see him off
Mrs. Latham remains in this city at present, being
in too feeble health to undertake the voyage.
could not suppress pang of sorrow, when saw
her to-day, she passed in her carriage, looking
so pale and attenuated, and yet so young She vii
1 believe, undertake the journey overland in III,
Spring.


You will see by the arrival of the overland mai
last night, that Congress has failed to elect Speak
er yet, Sherman standing the same as formerly, 1903
Another overland mail arrived at Fresno City thi
evening, but the news has not been telsgraphed W
to the time of my closing this.


Theatricals are in hourishing condition at tn
Capital. The "Wizzard" closed two weeks sue
cessful engagement at the metropolitan" las
night, when the house was crowded. He goes Il
Marysville. The Baker troupe performed one nigh
last week at the Sacramento" to an overfowinl
house, playing the Corsican Brothers. Mrs. w.
Forbes opens at the "Forrest" tomorrow night.
The long continued beautiful weather has serve
to dry the roads, and everybody appears to be deter
mined to avail themselves of the opportunity to hav
ride, consequently the city presents rather NOR
lively appearance than formerly. The river is S
low at this point that navigation to the up countr
is almost necessarily suspended.


Yours, &c. Don.