Year: 1859

al politicians for many years. 1t origl-
mated as long ago as 1851, and was first
broached in the Legislature we believe,
BY Henry A. Crabb who stands as the
putative father of the measure. The
object Of the division at that early day
was popularity supposed to be the forma-
ton slave state out of the Southern
portion of California. The reasons as
signed were similar to those advanced at
the present time-that the land owners
Of the southern counties pay dispropor
,ionately too much for the support of
government, which on account of the re-
moteness, is of little value to them, and
that the dissimilarity of the interests of
the two sections called for division.


The advocacy of division Of the
state by the lamented Crabb attached
an odium to his name throug hout the
more densely populated sections of
the state, which continued down to the
session of the Legislature of 1856, and es-
sentially injured his chances before the
American Legislative caucus of that year
for nomination for U. S. Senator. The
measure was vastly unpopular and Hen
ry A. Crabb. a worthy, noble-hearted,
q brave man, and the first statesman of
California, suffered unfortunately in con-
nection with it. The unpopularity arose
from the supposed Intimacy of the sla-
very question with the propOsition-the
alleged reasons for division were not
critically examined by the people at
large.


A change has taken place in public
sentiment, if we are to judge by late
vote in the Assembly on bill for the
division of the statc-the bill having
passed that body by vote of 33 to 25.
We hear, also, that the Senate will fol-
low in the wake of the other Chamber.
A constitutional question arises in regard
to the power of the Legislature to change


and contract the boundaries of the state,
which the Legislature thus far seems not
10 have given due heed.


With regard to the reasons for divi-
sion of the state we have word to say.
The great complaint is excessive taxa
,ion, and most unfounded complaint it
is when examined. We have not the
documents within reach just at this mo-
ment to prove the fact but when we
investigated the question of division in
1855, it was found, not twithstanding the
cries of unjust taxation, that the seuen
southermost counties of the state had
never paid into the State Treasury
in one year more than $2S,O0o-a sum
which was paid back to them in the mile
age and per diem of their legislators,
salaries ofjudges, &c.-so that that am
bilious portion of the state contributed
nothing whatever to the support of gov
ernment. 1t is safe to say, in the alb
sence of the documents, that the FIVE
counties anxious for divorce do not pay
annually into the State Treasury to s1-
Oeed $4,000. 1t will be readily seen
that this is trihing sum with which to
support separate state government
not enough to pay the expenses of sep
a.ate government fer three months
The people of the aspiring counties will,
therefore, be compelled to tax themselves
four times their present onerous burth-
ems as the price of going on their own
hook. The complaint of excessive tax
alton is worse than foolishncss.


The allegation of remoteness and dis
similarity ofinterests is not without some
foundation. The same reasons are good
for cutting off large slice from the
north, and finally contracting tho glori-
aus State Of California to pigmy pro-
portions.


To the revenues Of the state tho loss
Of tbs new state Of Colorado, would
amount to but little. and considered in a
pecuniary point of view alone. tho ques-
ZION of division is very Indifferent one
indeed. Still, before chopping up the
state into segments, it would be we'll to
have the people consulted in the matter.
The bill before the Senate proposes to
submit the question of division to the
people of the FIVE southern counties.-
That rs well enough SO far as it goes;
but there is a mutual compact between
the people of the other counties with the
people Of those FIVE, to stand together.
There are two parties to the bargain to
be consulted. The northern counties
have a say in the divorce. and will de-
u,orJ ~ They haYe ueyer r.yen their