Year: 1874

The act. of public men are open to crit
icisns, and justly so. In nine cases out
of ten, they, of their own accord, are
aspirants for the position attained, and
their ambition is looked upon as an hon
orable one if only honorable means are
used to further it. Once having attained
the desired end they become at once
cynosure for public gaze, and their every
act is scanned with a vigilant eye. We
are sorry TO say that this is not done with
view TO praise and admire, but rather
the reverse. For however trustworthy a
public man may have been in times
past, if he makes a single movement con-
trary to the expectations of his support
ers, it is enough to bar him forever from
their political companionship. All past
services are at once forgotten, and for the
one act he is thencefortb held up to pub
lie cxecration. Political enemies join in
the cry, for it is Just that for which they
have been watching and waiting.


In the history of this State since the
organization Of the Republican party, no
man has held more conspicuous place
than Senator Sargent One Of the first Re-
publicans elected to the National Legs-
lature from this State, he quickly gave
evidence of the possession of abilities en-
ttling dim to yet higher konors. And
throughout the State from Siskiyou to
San Diego, he had friends-men whom,
in many instances he ha6 never seen, but
who were drawn toward him by that in
stinctive admiration of talent worthily
used, which placed him in their estima-
tion as the leading mind Of the State.-
These men were No laggards iR their sup
port Of Mr., Sargent's Senatorial ambi-
ton, and the treachery by which he was
defeated in 1865 only made them more
determined. When the State passed from
Republican control in 1867, those of his
friends living in the Middle District be-
lieving the country should not be depriv-
ed of the benefit of his ability and exper-
ience, placed him before the people as a
candidate for the lower branch of Con-
gress, to which he was triumphantly
elected. He was reelected in 1871, and
the legislature of that year, which made
him Senator to succeed Mr.. Cole, only
carried out the unmistakeable popular
will


Up to the time of his election to the
Senate, even the most malignant of Mr..
Sargent's political enemies could find no
flaw in his official course; every measure
receiving his support was acknowledged
as being dictated in the best interests OF
the people. But Mr. Sargent is no dem
agogue. His support Of a measure or
principle is contingent upon its being
right, not upon its popularity. And that
he is no demagogue-laying plans already
for a re-election six years hence, is the
reason Of his present unpopularity with
the time-servers who have obtained brief
political power in this State. 1t is now
fashionable with the little minds having
a temporary greatness, to express dis
trust O: any act which Sargent, in legs-
lating for tho welfare Of the State he rep
Iesents, has introduced into Congress. If
their policy is not we'll understood if no
legitimate arguments can be brought
against them, the slogan'of railroad" is
raised, and like the notes from the bugle
of Roderic Dhu, it brings the enemies of
the railroad to the front. The recent ac-
ton of the Assembly in reference to the
two land bills of Mr.. Sargent is such as
should arouse the attention of every
thoughtful man. A resolution condemn
ing one Of them was introduced in the in
terest of the Swamp Land grabbers, and
although the argument was all on the
other side, the cry of railroad" was all
potent to effect its passage. On the heels
of this vote followed another resolution
condemnine the Mineral Land Bill, and
had vote been taken on it at once, it
would undoubtedly have been carried al
so, and its mover be crowned with anti
railroad glory. When, however, this
resolution came up for action, the clear
statement Of Mr.. Williams as to the
hardships worked by the present law put
quite different face on the matter, and
it is probable the resolution will be with
drawn, or defeated on the final vote
Now, had Mr.. Williams been political
friend of our Senator, his statement would
have been of no value, but being an anti
railroad Democrat, even the most obtuse
in the Assembly can see its force.


Some day common sense will again re-
sumo its sway, when the reign of the
Sacramento Union and its pewees will be
at an end. Then Mr.. Sargent's services
will be remembered, TO his advantage.
In these days, when one distinctive idol is
set up, and the character of every public
man traduced to render the idols etful-
gence the more dazzling by comparison,
we cannot expect that anything like just
ice to thel acts and motives of Senator
Sargent will be done.


UNDER the new apportionmcnt San
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