Year: 1860

ia! the Observation-Disclosures COnFcnf1 IN.


Once more we touch upon subjects al
ready worn thread-bare by our brethren of
the quill, but nevertheless, of that import
ance jrstifying constant agitation. The
contest for the Presidency will be certainly
decided by the Atlantic States without the
assistance of either California or Oregon,
and before every other question stands the
proposition " pay the debt and its coadju-
tor. the Constitutional Convention. We
count as of little moment whether a Gwin,
or McDougal man or Republican is elected
to the Legislature in comparison to Consti-
tutionel reform, and the credit of the State
In saying this, we would not dctract from
the importance Of other issues. boubtiess
all are of essential Importance, but some
are Of more vital import than others.


The debt on which we are called to vote
is part Of that created long ago, and left
nniGnded by reason Of the limitation of the
act indorsed by the people in 1893. The act
Of that year providing for the payment Of
three millions niue hundred thousand dol
lars was found not comprehensive enough
to take in all the indebtedness Of the State
outstanding at the time Intellectual at
tempts having been made 10 pay the bal
ance out Of the treasury. without the formal
and expensive submission Of another act to
the people. After two years delay the sub
mission has at last to be made. and we are
called upon to approve or repudiate the
debt. The Indebtedness is as valid as any
portion of the State debt already bonded
and provided for and should be honestly
and houorably paid.


But to meet all the demands upon the
treasury, created by the State debt and the
wants Of a growing commonwealth, it is
obvious to the examiner that some step
must be taken to reduce the enormous an
nual expenditures of the State Government.
The Constitution Of the State, formed in
the flush and extrayagant times of lS49, has
been found unsuited to the present. The
salaries of officers established when wages
commanded sixteen dollars DAY, are found
TO be altogether too high; but more than
all, the number of officers in the State Gov
ernment are far too numerous. This judici-
airy system Of the State wants an entire re-
vision, and if properly remodeled not less
than one hundred thousand dollars per an
mum can be saved the people, at least. A
proposed change of the Constitution so as
Legislature, and to make the sessions bien-
uial If made, will result i'll saving to the
State more than one half the present ex-
pense of law making; and altogether, it is
computed by a judlcious alteration of the
present Constitution. not less than quar-
ter of million dollars may be sared annu-
ally to go towards extinguishing the State
debit


When it is taken into consideration that
the State pays annually two hundred and
eighty thousand dollars interest money On
her debt the necessity of some effective
j
the consequent interest, will be readily re-
cognized. The Gebt hangs like an incubus
upon us, checking public works and the in
dustrial interests of the State. With the
money which is annually paid away in usu
r. what giant strides might California make
in the way Of public schools, buildings
railroads and charitable institutions Tax
alton might cease to be burden and the
prosperity of the State materially increased.


1t is of vital Importance that the people
act energetically and manfully for the pay
ment of their obligations, and to meet all
demands readily and easily. let them save
one half their money by reforming the Con-
stitution and establishing more economi-
cal State Government. Therefore, let every
voter see that he has upon his ballot, with !
out fail" Pay the Debt aud - For Con-
ycntop."