Sacramento Daily Union, Volume 20, Number 3057, 14 January 1861 — CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE. [ARTICLE]

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE.

TWELFTH SESSION. [reported specially for THE Of I ox."] SENATE. Saturday, Jan. 12, 1561.' • Senate met. President in the chair. Roll called. Journal read and approved. Mr. DeLong asked and obtained indefinite leave of absence for Mr. Watkins, on account of sickness. The President— l now announce that I have made the following appointments under the resolution passed yesterday by the Senate : For Post Office Clerk, Wm. F. Hustis: for Paper-folder, John Geran ; for Porter, Alphonso B. Smith. MOTIONS, RESOLUTIONS AND NOTICES. Mr. Vance offered the following : Resolved, That a Committee of five be appointed by the President of the Senate, in order to consider the state of the Union. [Laughter ] Mr. Clark l move to amend the resolution by striking out '-Union" and inserting State of California." Mr. Phelps- 1 am ill-disposed to have any levity upon this question at this day, and am not disposed to vote for the passage of the resolution. Doubtless the -1 peculiar state of public affairs will come up for the consideration of the Legislature this Winter ; but I consider it highly Improper that we should take action upon the subject now, before the House is organized, or until we have received the President's Message. Further than that, I consider It peculiarly the province of the Committee on Federal Relations to take this matter into consideration; and, therefore, I move that the resolution be laid upon the table. .;!'.".'. Mr. Vance l move to amend the motion of the Senator from San Mateo; that the resolution be referred to the Committee on Federal Relations. ' ■-.:. t'.j The President— The motion to lay on the table has preference. Question upon the motion to lay the resolution on the table. It was carried. Mr. Merritt offered the following : Revolted, That when the Senate adjourn to-day, It will adjourn to meet upon Tuesday, January 15th, at 12 m. Carried. Mr. Harvey offered the following : Resulted, That no account or claim shall be paid out of the Contingent Fund of the Senate until the same shall have been referred and reported upon by the appropriate Committee. Mr. Dickinson l move that the resolution be referred to the Committee on Rules. The subject matter will no doubt be embraced In the rules of the Senate, which will probably be adopted as soon as reported. Mr. Harvey We find that claims are presented from time to time, and appropriations made from time to time, and perils ps occasionally without proper consideration ; and hence I wish to call the attention of the Senate to this point, that it may be that appropriations are sometimes made inadvertently. Ytsterday I voted against allowing the temporary Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms one week's pay, and shall vote against such resolutions upon general principles, until I know the general character and justice of the claims. Mr. Dickissox l have no objection to the resolution, and withdraw my motion in relation to the reference. The resolution, if passed, can do no harm. Mr. Phelps l think it will be the best plan to have the subject matter embraced In the rules of the Senate, and then it will require a two-thirds vote to change it. I therefore renew the motion of the Senator from El Dorado. Mr. Harvey— have no objection to the reference to the Committee on Rules. So referred. Mr. Thomas offered the following: Revolted, That G. C. Newman be allowed one week's pay for acting as temporary Assistant Sergeant-al-Arms at the commencement of this session. Mr. Phelps— l move the resolution be referred to the Finance Committee. So referred. Mr. Sua iter offered the following : Resolved, That Frederick Jackson be allowed one week's pay for acting as Paper-folder, at the per diem allowed for the same office. Referred to the Finance Committee. Mr. Denver moved that the Senate adjourn, but withdrew it at the request of Mr. Watson. Mr. Watson offered the following Resolted, by the S;nate, the Assembly concurring. That Louis Cutlech be and is hereby appointed Porter, for the purpose of attending to the furnaces In the basement of the Capitol building, the amount of the per diem to be paid equally out of the Contingent Fund of the Senate and Assembly. Mr. Edgebtos— being a concurrent resolution Is out of order. Mr. Watson— l withdraw it. Mr. Ryan moved that the Senate adjourn, but withdrew the motion at the request of Mr. Edgerton. Mr. Edgerton- I wish, Mr. President, to offer a resolution that has been passed up to me. I don't know that I shall vote for it myself. It is upon a subject that will probably elicit some discussion, and the Senate can take such action up->n it as it sees fit. The resolution read as follows : Resolted, That Charles A. Sumner and Wm. M. Cutter be and they are hereby appointed Official Reporters of the Senate during the present session. Mr. Leet— l would inquire of the Senator who offered the resolution what is the per diem allowance in the resolution. Mr. Edgerton— There is no amount mentioned in the resolution. If the resolution is passed, it will be a matter for subsequent deliberation. Mr. Lekt — I apprehend if we employ these Reporters we shall be called upon to pay them liberally, and if the Senate choose to employ them I should be disposed to pay them liberally ; but I see no necessity for employing these officers. We were reported well, thoroughly and satisfactorily during the last session, without employing any Official Reporters ; and I believe that it will be the same this session. I believe, in addition, that it is a mater of economy to vote down the resolution, and I therefore move that the resolution be indefinitely postponed. Question upon the indefinite postponement cf the resolution. It was carried. Upon motion of Mr. Crittenden the Senate adjourned.