Year: 1870

EDIToR JoURYAL!-The weary are at rest. The
wise and most potential Legislature has ad'
journed for the holidays. They stood not upon
the order of their going, but pulled up stakes,
wrapped their mantes about their Senatorial
forms, and scattered themselves to the four quar-
ters. What misfortune it would be Ito them)
if they should be prevented from re-assembling
large number of bills were introduced during
the few days previous to adjournment, which,
however, were almost entirely of a local nature,
serving only to get the names of their introducers
before the eyes of their constituents


Lewis, of Tehama introduced a bill to appoint
a commissioner to visit Eastern insane asylums.
This is good bill, uasuuch, as aside from Civ


ing few months employment at good salary
to a constitutional Democrat, it will doubtless
tend to the future comfort of q number of the
present Solons. l hope it may pass, for would
not begrudge a few dollars that would enhance
the mental condition of so many obfuscated in
Ldividuals.


The Lieutenant Governor is man of remark
ably sound judgement. On Saturday (the lSth)
he appointed three standing oommittecs-on
State Prison, Public Lands and Military Affairs.
For the first two not much qualification is neces-
sary-only an aptitude for speculation, and any
legislator is competent to be placed on those
committees but it would naturally be supposed
that a member of the Military Committee would
possess some qualification as a military man.
See the committee: Hunter and Beige, mer-
chants, Lewis and Tweed, lawyers, and Gwin,
miner There's nice lot of men to organize or
control a militia system suppose that it is in
tended that Gwin shall dig the metal from which
to manufacture the arms, Lewis and Tweed TO
act as judges Advocate, while the other two
contract for the supplies. We may rest
sured of our safety and immunity from foreign
invasion, for have we not committee on Mill
tary Affairs?


The Sacramento delegation recommended the
passage of the District-Auorney bill. This is
somewhat similar TO the San Francisco School
Superintendent act. You see the Sacramento
City Trustees are a Republican body, and by
law had the appointing of City Attorney TO
conduct their law matters. Could Republican
Attorney be thought of under Democratic rule :?
Not for a moment The present bill aboishes
the Office and puts the legal business of the city
in the hands of the District Attorney of the
county, a newly elected Democrat. This would
be well enough did it stop here, But i: does
not. 1t empowers him to appoint a deputy at
large salary, and to employ clerk at 81 500
per anuum, thus taking employment away from
Republican, and giving good fat job to two
needy ones of the faithful.


The Legislature want short and economical
session, they do.


Gwn has given notice of an act to create the
office of State Railroad Commissioner, and to de-
fine his duties. This is wise thing. Our rail-
road interests are growing rapidly and increas-
ing in Importance. Other States have super
visor to superintend these matters, and so should
we. He will nix the rate of passenger and
freight transportation, establish a rate of speed
for trains and in other ways care for the safety,
comfort and pockets of travellers. This is a
needful piece of legislation, and it is to be hoped
that it may become a law, though of course it
gives another Democrat lucrative position.


The same gentleman has also given notice of a
bill to establish a State hospital doing away
with county institutions of that kind, in lieu
thereof establishing large hospital at a point
easy of access where the INDECENT sick of the en-
tire State can be received and obtain the best of
medical treatment. | suppose there will be a
rush of Democratic doctors to the capital, seek
ing positions in the hospital. This, taken in
connection with the Insane Commissioner, will
effectnaly provide for the future Of the Legisla-
ture. They are to be commended for the atten-
ton they pay to their own future.


The "Long Primer" Hall bill passed to en-
grossment Quite debate ensued pending its
passage, wherein Fowler of Tulare, stignatzed
the soldiers of the Union as " scalawags," who
worked for Sl3 per month in greenbacks. The
gentleman is wrong in both particulars. The
men who focked to the standard of their coun-
try at the first call TO arms, were men who left
honest work, where they were making from $50
to $l00 per month in coin, prepared to die
to save the land they loved and to perpetu-
ate its Institutions while such foul scandalzers
and backbters as this man remained at home
and did their best to bind the hands of the gov
ernment, and turn it over to those who rebeIled
against it. Secondly, these men did not work
for Sl3 per month in greenbacks. The pay of
the private soldier was SIG per month, besides
rations and Clothing, and $500, bounty from the
government, while the State paid them SIS per
month extra in coin. The gentleman should
not make assertions that cannot be substantiated.


The Legislature have appropriated $4,000 to
the reward fund. The press of this State have said
considerable about the action of the Governor in
offering but $500, for the murderers of Medina,
and others, in Calaveras county. 1t is but
justice to Governor Haight to say that he did
the best that he could. The reward fuud was
exhausted iuto that sum, and he was debarred
by law from offering more. The Legislature
should appropriate a large sum to that fund.- as
they only meet biennally, and the Governor
should be prepared !or emergencies. While
they generous in the use of the people S
money, it would be well to attend to this matter.


Aside from the bills have mentioned, very
little to amount to anything has been done.
That they may, on their return, settle down and
do something that will benefit the State, is the
hope of all good men. T. b. G.


WHoLEsALE DESTRUCTION OF TRoUT.-We are
informed by several gentlemen who have passed