CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE.—IN SENATE. SIXTEENTH SESSION. SENATE CHAMBER, Monday, December 4th, 1865. 1865. } Pursuant to the requirements of the Constitution, the Senate met and was called to order at twelve o'clock, M., by Hon. T. N. Machin, President, who made the following address: THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. SENATORS: The time fixed by the Constitution for the convening of the Legislature having arrived, the duty devolves upon me of calling the Senate to order. Nearly two years, freighted with momentous events, have glided away to the past since we met in this chamber in the capacity of representatives of the people-two years that mark the most eventful era in the history of our country. They embrace the period of the culmination and downfall of the most determined and bloody, and at the same time the most anomalous rebellion the world has ever seen. I say anomalous, because, although bistory abounds in examples of men sacrificing their lives for freedom, yet this is the first instance in the annals of civilization, from the foundation of the world to the present day, of a people immolating themselves on the altar of slavery. It has been a war, protracted and desperate, in which every passion of the human heart has been invoked to give frenzy to the fray. But thanks to our brave soldiers and sailors, and to the wisdom and patriotism of those who were at the head of the nation, and, above all, thanks to the Supreme Ruler of armies and nations, the war is at last ended, and the power and glory of the Federal Government is felt and acknowledged on every inch of United States territory. Peace is restored, except that here and there from rebel lious States, as some poor slave drops his chains forever, we hear the deep muttered tones of defiance and revenge; but this only awakes in us the same emotions as the low rumbling of the distant thunder that follows the storm already past. Though the rebellion be dead, yet it lived long enough to beget, and died leaving to us a numerous progeny of perplexing annoyances; chief among which and for which the American people must provide, are the questions of the rights of the late rebellious States in the Union, the rights of freedmen, and the great national debt. These are living issues which we found mingled with the trophies of victory surrendered to us by the vanquished rebel generals. They already challenge attention and provoke discussion, and sooner or later will be presented to the people in tangible form. Their great importance to the country bespeaks for them, from every citizen, the most careful scrutiny. In their adjustment, it is to be hoped that no fear of future consequences or hope of present gain will lead to the sacrifice of great principles of truth to secure an apparent temporary convenience; but that we may so determine each issue that a more enlightened and refined civilization, of centuries hence, will find nothing to condemn in the conduct of those who saved and reconstructed the American Union. When these questions shall have been fully settled by the people, we may be able to estimate how much has been gained for civilization and progress by the civil war in America. Senators: The opportunity will soon be offered you to strike one telling blow for human liberty. It will be your privilege, as I know it will be your pleasure, to vote to add California to that glorious list of States which have already declared that "slavery, or involuntary servitude, unless for the punishment of crimes, shall never be tolerated in these United States." While we are inscribing this amendment to the Constitution for an epitaph upon the tomb of slavery, let us not forget that the spirit of slavery survived the surrender of Lee and the fall of Richmond. That it is the same spirit which gave quarter at Fort Pillow and rations at Andersonville. We have since seen it, reeking with precious blood, turn from the cowardly assassination of our beloved Chief Magistrate to jostle us in the procession which bore his body to a martyr's grave. But we have met it, mailed and plumed, for the last time, amidst the roar of cannon and the clash of arms. It now confronts us at the ballot box, and from the greatly accelerated march of liberal ideas during the past four years, we have abundant reason to be hopeful of the result Let us ever be thankful to Providence for the exalted position our country occupies to-day. As the dust and smoke of battle are wafted away on the gentle gales of peace, she stands revealed to the admiring gaze of man the strongest, proudest nation of the world, justly feared and respected abroad, loved and venerated at home. The roll of Senators holding over was called by the Secretary, and the following answered to their names, to wit: Messrs. Benton, Cunningham, Dodge, Evans, Hale, Hartson, Hawes, Jones, Kutz, Leonard, Lovett, Maddox, Montgomery, Myers, Porter, Rush, Smith, Tuttle, and Wright. The roll of Senators elect was called, and the following gentlemen answered to their names, to wit: Messrs. Banning, Belden, Bradley, Ewer, Freeman, Hager, Hardy, Heacock, Johnson, Knox, Mizner, Murphy, Pearce, Pratt, Shaw, Teegarden, Tubbs, Wadsworth, and Wolcott. Absent-Mr. Robinson. Prayer by Rev. Father Waugh. The oath of office was then administered to the Senators elect by Chief Justice Sanderson. Mr. Shaw offered the following resolution: Resolved, That the President of the Senate appoint a committee of five to prepare and report a system of rules for the government of the Senate; said committee to act with a committee of the Assembly in recommending the joint rules of both Houses; and that in the meantime this Senate be governed by the Senate Rules of the last session. Adopted. On motion of Mr. Jones, at twelve o'clock and twenty minutes, P. M., the Senate adjourned until eleven o'clock, A. M., to-morrow. T. N. MACHIN, Absent-Messrs. Bradley, Hale, Knox, Montgomery, and Tuttle. Mr. Jones moved that the Senate now proceed to the election of permanent officers. Carried. Mr. Robinson came forward and presented his credentials, and subscribed to the oath of office, which was administered by the President. The following appointments were made by the President: COMMITTEE ON RULES. Messrs. Shaw, Hartson, Hawes, Evans, and Hale. Porters Benjamin Turner, and William Galt. Post Office Page-Rolla Fuller. Paper Folder-James Crandall. Mr. Benton offered the following resolution: Resolved, That the Senate now proceed to the election of permanent officers, in the following order, to wit: 1. President pro tem. 2. Secretary. 3. Assistant Secretary. 4. Sergeant-at-Arms. 5. Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms. 6. Minute Clerk. 7. Journal Clerk. 8. Engrossing Clerk. 9. Enrolling Clerk. 10. Two Copying Clerks. 11. Night Watchman. Adopted. FOR PRESIDENT PRO TEM. Mr. Lovett nominated Mr. Wright. Mr. Pearce nominated Mr. Johnson. The roll was then called, with the following result: |