Year: 1860

| State Prison na0tters-I1sGne Asylum DirisiO1s
4 of the State-THe CapitaE-Sureties Of Bates


Anstseme,Hs-THe Weather, &C., &c.


SACRAMENTO, Jan. 10Th, 1860.


Ed. DEMocRAT:--Ths joint committee Of the
two houses, appointed to investigate the affairs Of
our State Prison, have finished their labors, and
part of them returned to this city last evening
They will probably make their report this week. and
from what have heard It viii be anything but
plimentary to the managers Of that institution. The
committee made a thorough examination, and are
fully convinced that the present mode Of conducting
the prison is the worst that can be conceived and
they accordingly viii advise that the State take the
management into its own hands for the present, or
until such action can be had as will insure remedy
for the multitude of evils at present existing there.
They have made proposals to Mr.. McCauley, the
present lessee, and will await bis decision; should
he fail to comply, however, the Legislature will take
immediate steps to put the State in possession.


A joint committee from the Senate and House
left yesterday for Stockton, where they go to look
at the Insane Asylum. This action is not taken
with regard to any mismanagement there, but
merely for the purpose Of inquirng into the practi
cability of certain proposed improvements, and take
measures TO further supply the wants which the
rapidly increasing cases Of insanity to demand.
There are now some six hundred inmates there, and
that number s being increased with fghtful rspidi
ty, and should this state Of things continue addi
tions will have to be made to the buildings, or a
branch established at some convenient point. We
shall await with anxiety the report Of the
mittee.


The proposed division Of the State is becoming a
matter somewhat serious. The subject was referred
to the Committee on Federal Relations, during the


first week Of the session, who have reported in favor
OF a divisions four of the committee however, pro-
testing very decidedly against the measure. They
say:


"Looking abroad little, outside our immediate
State territory will preceive objection to this
segregation, at the present time and in the present
condition Of public feeling, far more serious than
any yet enumerated. The battle field Of Kansas has
hardly yet been fought over and the animosities and
aspertes enkinded there will be the fruitful subject
of another, and perhaps more serious contest, If an
other battle ground shall be soon presented


The civil discord which trammes Congress
and threatens our Federal Union had its origin in
questions growing out Of our territorial organiza-
tions and California, occupying position so emf
nently conservative, should be the last to offer
another opportunity for the enactment of new
| Kansas difficulties. The territorial question has
become already perfect "Pandora's box" from
which spring all imaginable evils and danger to the
peace and harmony of our country Unless then,
the right is clear-unless the power to divide this
State in the manner proposed, is, beyond all doubt,
constitutional, sound policy would seem to dictate
that we should avoid the difficulties consequent upon
the act at all hazards"


There has been considerable discussion in the
House over the matter, and it was finally made the
special order for February 3D. in order that Senator
| I ha IN tai
ngton an expression Of the opinion Of the Legsla-
ture upon this question.


Yesterday the Senate resolution to appoint spe
cial Capital Committee whose duty it should be to
enquire into the propriety of removing the State
Capital, and furnish proper place to locate the
same, came up in the Senate, when long debate
ensued. A motion was made to indefinitely post
pone the whole matter which lost. 1t was finally
made tho special order for Tuesday week.


The Judiciary Committee of both Houses yester-
day made lengthy report, in which they advised
that the sureties of Henry Bates late State Trea-
surer, be released This will probably be the last
that is heard of the $l24,OOO which the people, or
few Of them, Of Placer county, said that Bates and
Rowe did not steal, and which confined Mr.. Rowe
for year the prison brig for his refusal to tell
what disposition had been made of it. Pretty well
paid, you will say for years confinement, when,
it is reported he reveed in all the luxuries of life
Thus all the old landmarks pass away.


In the Assembly resolution was adopted asking
the Federal Government to donate to the State 90
900 stand of arms, four batteries of light and four
batteries of heavy artillery with the necessary am
munition.


The Senate chamber was crowded yesterday, dur
ing the time that body in session. by ladies and
other spectators, to hear Senator Watson make
speech on the proposition to repeal the present
homestead law and provide one to operate in its
place. The speech is understood not to come up
to the general expectation accordingly very little is
said about it.
The Southern Overland Telegraph Co. have fin
ished their line to Fresno City, 20 miles east of
Firebaughs Ferry, and are rapidly extending it on
to connect with our friends on the Atlantic. The
energy displayed by this Company is deserving of all
praise. They expect to have the line completed to
Fort Smith, Ark, by next winter.


Anderson, the "Wizzard of the North" has been
filing the metropolitan" for the past week, and
will remain here a week longer He makes great
blow over his "wonderful tricks" but l must con-
fess that am not susceptible to anything he does
so very extraordinary, and regard him in the light
OF "pretty considerable" humbug. We are a gull
lible people, however, and while we stare at his
''wonderful feats" he pockets tho dollars by the
| thousand.


Nothing can exceed the beauty of the weather at
the present writing. The days are splendid, and the
bright new moon, as she rolls on in her trackless
way shedding her soft mellow light on earthly things,
makes night more fair than all.


| DIR, Hunter, formerly member OF Assembly from
San Joaquin, who has hoen confined in jail in this
city for the last month"; charged with grand larceny
had his trial Friday, in which the jury failed to
agree. He will be tried again tomorrow.
| Yours, &c. Don.
Placerville Observer learns from some gentlemen
lately from Carson Valley that several quartz veins,
bearing gold and silver have lately been discovered