Year: 1871

On the first page of the JOURNAL will be found
the inaugural Message of Governor Booth. The
space of this paper is hardly sufficient to admit
the publication of lengthy State papers, but we
deem this message of our present Governor a
document so repete with interest, that it cannot
be too widely circulate. We are but slow schol-
ars In the study of the Science of Government,
and the natural disposition of thinking men is,
to consider well before adopting any change in
established laws and customs which is deemed
radical in its nature, This is, in itself, one of
the strongest hopes of republi canism, yet sound
ideas of governmental policy would seem to in
diCate that, if a change of this kind will tend
directly to the elevation of any class, in either
intellect, morality or material wealth, it should
be at once adopted and Incorporated in the laws
of the land.


The suggestions contained in the message will,
upon many points meet with the full concurrence
of the people irrespective ofther political faith.
That the wealth of the State, which is protected
by its laws, should bear its full share in meeting
the expenses of government that no corporate
power within the State shall rise superior to
State Laws; that the policy which seeks to en-
courage enterprise and gives State aid for that
purpose may, in the end, become a great source
of political corruption, will be admitted without
question. There are other points touched upon
in which there may be an honest difference of
opinion, although our own views, we free
to admit coincide with those of Governor Booth.
ba Of
the principle that every child is entitled to be
educated, and that principle has been ratified by
the people with their sutfrages The Governor
holds to the most advanced theory of this edu-
cational principle-that to be effective it should
be universal, and that the accident of color or
birth should be no bar to the right of the child
to receive this blessing in its fullest extent. The
silly feeling Of prejudice which would keep an
entire race in ignorance, merely for the reason
that it had been ever kept crushed to the earth,
is fast disappearing in the growing light of CIV
ilizatiOn and progress and the Governor but
Americans when he says: The doors of our
schools should be open to all, with no prejudice
of caste without, and no sectaran teaching with
in which will prevent any child from freely en-
tering."


Upon the question of Asiatic immigration,
which we consider one the overshadowing ques-
tions of the Pacific slope, the views expressed in
the message are identical with those of the ma
jorty of the Republican masses. The Chinese
question has, in the hands of Democratic dema-
gOgues, been fruitful theme for arousing the
prejudices of those who were opposed to the in
PRODUCTION of seryile labor here, to action against
Republican measures, upon the false assumption
that the Republican party were responsible for
the presence here of that element of our popula-
ton. While Governor Booth takes the ground
that the cheap labor of Asiatcs ifencouraged to
any great extent, is means of building up
teral wealth which is well calculated to awaken
the jealouses of the laborng classes of our own
race, and give well grounded cause of apprehen-
sion to the student of political economy; he at
the same time points out the only remedy which
exists--a direct appeal to the aty-making
power, the Federal Government. Laws, whose
object is to nullify National obligations, oppres-
siye taxation which is only cloak for dishonest
/
despised race, and lawless proceedings which if
retaliated in kind by the Chinese in their own
country, would arouse the civilized world to
arms are not the true means of solving the Chi
nese labor problem. Such acts are more calcu-


lated to create sympathy for them abroad, than
to extend to them the protection of the laws, and
at the same time present to the General Govern
ment the reasons why such immigration should
be discouraged and ultimately stopped.


Taken altogether the message is repete with
political wisdom, and should be universally read
National politics are very properly ignored
wherein it presents remarkable contrast to the
fmsy document presented by Governor Haight
four years ago If the policy which is thus fore
shadowed becomes fixed in the politics of the
State, we may congratulate ourselves on the era
of good government which the Republican VIC
tory of 1871 has inaugurated.


HUMBOLDT NEws.-Trom the SiqnaL of last
week, we CLEAN the following items ANOTHER
legendary attempt to fire Eureka has been made
but the flames were extinguished before any
considerable damage was done. Gordon, Agent
of the Hartford and Union Fire Insurance Com