Year: 1876

Office.


PRESS LAWS.


Yesterday the Senate passed the Dill
reouiring all articles and items in newspa-
pers to be signed by the true full name OF
the writer. For this we have to thank
the hoodlum press of the State, the course
of which has caused the Senators to lose
their heads and pass this purely revenge
ful bill. Some compensation however
was accorded by also passing the Ketrac-
ton bill, a measure no honest journalist
objects to, who understands it. 1t slmp-
ly provides that when court finds an ar
tice to be libellous and untrue, 1t may
require the publishers to publish retrac-
ton by publishing the truth in the same
manner, in which the SANDER was pub
lished. This is pure justice, for if one is
attacked untruthfully before given au-
dience, why should he not have the truth
preached before the same audience ? l
believe this latter bill will become a law,
as to the other, believe sober thought
{
ernor and it will die in the Assembly.


THE WILCOX CASE.


The Wilcox tial began yesterday-the
first days session Of the Court being con-
sumed in obtaining jury. To-day the
introduction of testimony began, and as
l write, Somers, the Chronicle reporter is
on the witness stand, The case eXcites
much interest and the Court room is
crowded. Many counsel appear in the
case and hard fight is anticipated before
the jury. As Wilcox had pistol in his
breast at the time of the assault, and
could if he SO desired have killed Somers,
and did not do so, it is probable it will be
found there was no intent to murder, as
charged in the indictment, and that
verdict of simple assault will result
Since the attack of the Chronicle on Sem
ator Lewis, men begin TO think no man
is safe, and that merest rumors may at
any moment be magnifed to the irrepar-
able damage Of any one unfortunately
the victim Of scandal and Dame Gossip.
This feeling is having its effect, and will
influence this trial just as it influenced
the passage Of the personal signature
bill.


GENERAL LEGISLATION.


Among the more important matters of
legislation / make note of the following ::


The report of the Mining Committee
and the Committee on Agriculture in
the Assembly on the mining debris ques-
tion. 1t is to be marked specially, that
both Committees, in lengthy reports,
admit that there is large damage result
ing from mining debris, though they dit.
fer as to amount that the question is n
grave and exceedingly important one /;
that some action is absolutely necessary.
They differ only in the remedy proposed.
Neither suggest any distinct plan, though
both agree that the debris may to some
extent be utilized and controlled. The
Mining Committee ask that Congress
send out company of engineers free
from bias to examine into the whole
matter and report. The Agricultural
Committee ask that the State appoint an
engineer and that Congress send one to
aid him and that they report. OF course
the Agriculturali>t view is made strong
for that side, and the Mining view is pre-
sented from that stand point; but it
must be admitted that the latter is the
most dispassionate, cool and practical


The Assembly Committee on pub ic
buildings and grounds have reported in
favor of finishing the Branch Prison at
Folsom and show that with the $50, 800
now in the Branch Prison Fund, $3.50, 600
more, the Prison can be completed to
accommodate 500 prisoners and give the
State ample opportunity to experiment in
the matter Of working convicts in the
granite quarries. This report is directly
opposed to that of the Joint Committee
on State Prisons which advises total
abandonment of the Branch Prison. the
shipping away of the cut stone built up.
and the expenditure of $3.50, 900 for new
buildings at San Quentin including a
Retorniatory for the neophytes ir crime.


The Senate has passed bill creating
State Detective force for the detection and
prosecution Of highwaymen and crimi
mails who roam about the State cludinp
local officers. The bill gives power to
the force, consisting of chief and two
deputies, to act in any part of the State.
to collect photographs of all outlaws,
and keep track and descriptions of and
shadow all discharged convicts, etc.


The Assembly has refused to rescind
Its action in voting for the resolutions
and bill to call together State Conyen-
ton :or the purpose of framing new
constitution. That any such convention
has been called by the people is fallacv
ana the opinion of the best lawyers is,
that the act Of calling convention under
the circumstances is an act of revolution
Inc Senate has passed bill prohibiting
the teaching Of languages in the Common
Schools of the State, whereat our Ger
man cItlzens are very wroth.


NO other great or important steps have
been taken the past week, no strikinely
noticeable bills introduced. Gov. Irwin
vetoed the bill taxing the people ofTeha-
ma to build an Academy on tho ground
that such an institute is not part of our
school system, and all the people should
not be taxed to afford the children Of tho
few special advantages.


NATHANIEL.