Year: 1861




SACRAMENTO, Jan. Sth, 1861.


BY the tightest imaginable squeeze tho
Senate organization was this day completed.
The record of the vote this morning conveys
no idea of the narrow escape our party friends
had, not for lack of party strength, but for
lack of good feeling within the ranks of the
majority. You must know that terrific ex-
ploson succeeded the election of De Ia Guerra
yesterday, not because Don Pablo is unwor-
thy or Objectionable in party sense,-for
he is, on the contrary, exceedingly popular
but because his election was not brought
about by the party to which he belongs Ills
chief supporters in the Democratic ranks were
the tried friends of Gov. Downey, and the
means taken to secure his election when it
was found that he could not receive the NOM
ination at the hands of his party caucus. have
been loudly denounced 10y Democratic Sena-
tors, Whether or not the Governor is re-
sponsble for the departure from party usage
which attended the choice of the Presiding
officer of the Senate, it is very certain that
his EXcellency comes in for large share Of
the abuse which has followed it, The Demo-
cratic Senators who refused to vote for an
adjournment Of the Senate yesterday, were
De la Guerra Ill., Ryan and Gallagher Be-
fore the opening of the session a call for
caucus had been circulated for signatures of
Democratic Senators. The gentlemen above
named did not sign the call, The motion to
proceed to the election of President came
from the Breckenridge side of the house, and
was supported by that party, and by four of
the five Republicans, together with the four
Democratic Senators already named. The
plan was pretty we'll understood all around
a short time before the Senate came to order
1t had been too well perfected to admit of
successful contest, but, as you have seen 10y
the Unions report the medicine SO skilfully
prepared was not swallowed without wry
faces and loud and plain talk Threats were
freely made by several Senators that no eau
Gus should bind them if the four offending
Senators or either of them, were permitted
therein. Then commenced the Juggling to
get matters settled for a caucus in the even
ing. The Breckenridge men felt quite conf
dent that enough trouble had been made to
prevent any caucus Of majority of the Sem
ate. Democratic usage prevailed, however
and at half past seven o'clock last evening
eighteen Senators of the true faith as sembled
in the Senate Chamber. | need not weary
your readers with an account Of the pulling
and hauling, the teasing, button -holeing,
threatening and begging, the promising,
lodging, forgetting and voting which occu-
pied the remainder of the night Suffice it
to say it was after the usual style of American
politics. Long may they wave after South
Carolina shall have become large and pow
erful nation. The Senate this morning con-
firmed the nominations that came SO near
never having been made, and it is generally
admitted that the gentlemen elected can and
will perform their duties faithfully and draw
their pay regularly.


Some talk was had on Saturday and Sun
day about Lecompton and anti -Lecompton,
and the impression was sought to be created
that the latter were disposed to be strong
headed and exclusive upon nominations. One
Of the reasons l have heard given for the
movement in favor of De la Guerra was that
Clark (anti-Lecompton) would prevail in
caucus. l am satisfied that this was not the
reoson, as any one must be who looks at the
votes. Nearly one half of the Senators who
desired to caucus on President were Latham
men last year. Besides this, De la Guerra
was himself an old Broderick man, and would
not have been politically Objectionable to the
friends Of the late Senator. The nominations
last night were divided between former Le-
compton and anti-Lecompton men, Tozer
Secretary and D. j.. Williamson assistant
do) being of the former and Irwin, President
pro tenn, W. F. Williamson (Sergeant-at-
Arms, Uhrig assistant do), Gorham EN-
rolling Clerk, and Gillespie (Engrossing do),
of the latter class.


The Assembly has, as yet. made no pro
gress towards an organization. The Demo-


' NV iN'A" d hlaJoIlLyS cannot OF course
be responsible for any delay. The Breckin-
ridge and Lincoln mon have it III their power
to divide the offices between their friends
but the difficulty in doing this is that each
party would of course like to name the
Speaker. This may yet be arranged, indeed
l have heard it intimated that a coalition
might succeed in electing Zach. Montgomery
OF Sutter for Speaker, and Fitch Republican
orator and editor) for Clerk. have been
unable to trace this plan to its originators
and cannot therefore say which of the two
wings of the opposition are the most unyield.
ing, and unwilling to carry it into effect
One thing l feel certain of, and that is that
Conness will stay good while in his present
position and every opportunity will be given
the Boilers to help elect Republican, or
viee verSa. The Senatorial fight is absolutely
nowhere in the scrimmage now going on in
the House. Indeed think that it is not
likely to increase in Importance for some
time. No Senator 'ciH be elected this aointer.


CAPITOL.


Our INDIAN PoLIcY.-There are those who
entertain grave doubts about the Justice and
wisdom OF the general policy maintained. by
the United States Government towards the alb
origines ofthe country. They contend that
1t occasions very eXtravagant and almost
useless expenditure of money; that the plan