USA > California > Placer County > History of Placer county, California > Part 26
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The vote for Legislative officers was as follows :-
Senate-Charles Westmoreland (A), 2,955; Abram Bronk (D), 2,428.
Assembly-Silas Selleck (A), 2,978; Lansing Stout (A), 3,017; T. H. Read (A), 3,009; R. L. Williams (A), 2,981; A. P. K. Safford (D), 2,362; Albert Thorn- dyke (D), 2,385; B. K. Davis (D), 2,306; Samuel B. Wyman (D), 2,381.
Superintendent of Common Schools-1I. E. Force (A), 3,002, (died, and Theodore B. Hotchkiss ap- pointed February 4, 1856,) Wm. A. Johnson (D), 2,342.
The total number of votes cast was 5,534. The question of a Prohibitory Liquor Law received in Placer County, 1,741 votes in its favor, and 1,678 votes against.
EFFORTS TO ELECT A SENATOR.
The Legislature met in January, 1856. One of the most important questions before it, was the elec- tion of United States Senator to succeed Dr. Gwin, whose term had expired on the third of the preced- ing March. The Americans had a large majority in joint convention, but were tied with the Democrats in the Senate, though one Independent afterwards voted with them. The principal candidates were ex Governor Henry S. Foote, lately from Mississippi, Henry A. Crabb and Edward C. Marshall. The resolution to go into joint convention was introduced in the Assembly, and passed on the 12th of January, and transmitted to the Senate. After several post- ponements in that body, on the 22d the resolution to go into joint convention was indefinitely postponed, and that all action on the election of Senator be postponed until January 1, 1857. This was adopted by a vote of nineteen to fourteen, Messrs. Flint, of San Francisco, Ferguson, of Sacramento, and Fiske, of Sutter, Americans, voting for it. The election of Governor Foote was expected to have been the result of the Convention, and from this fact, many who had advocated the American party in the campaign, expressed pleasure in the defeat of the clection. The anti-slavery clement in the Senate was the balancing cause of the defeat.
The leading candidate, Governor Foote, was not inclined to abandon the contest, but remained at the capital devising plans and arguments to bring on the election. February and March had nearly passed with but very little rain, and the prayers of miners and farmers were loud for water, in which they were much more interested than in the election of United States Senator. Late in March Foote and Marshall were at their hotel in Sacramento, convers- ing on the condition of the country, when the
former observed that in consequence of our foreign relations, portentous of war, and the distraction of our people on many local questions, the welfare of the whole country, and especially of this State demanded that California should have another Sen- ator in Congress. Marshall raised himself listlessly from the sofa upon which he was reclining, and said abruptly: " Yes, that or rain." The waggery and appositeness of the answer soon became the common joke, ridiculing the pretentions of the Senatorial aspirant, and little more was heard of the election after that.
Many of the American party papers expressed deep indignation, and those of the Democracy as heartily rejoiced. The Placer Herald, then under the editorial charge of James Anderson, closed a long article on the subject as follows :-
Weep! weep! and howl! ye patriotic quill-drivers of the order of the Dark Lantern, for the miseries that have come upon you. Writhe and curse your politieal idiocy, ye victims of misplaced confidence, who whilom sat in your council chambers, and swore to stand by cach other through thick and thin. Whither, oh! whither will ye fly! Will ye with drooping ears and tails between your legs, fall behind the heel of your caucus-chosen Senator, or will ye, sorrowfully and repentant, with downcast eyes ask admission into the ranks of men, who dare, with fearless front, hold in public their councils and do battle as becomes men! Show your hands! make good your words! be men; be mice, or be long-tailed rats!
Among the measures introduced in the Legislature affecting Placer was one for the division of the county. On the 15th of September, 1855, Messrs. Olmstead and Miller commenced the publication of the Iowa Hill News, and immediately began the agitation of the question of the division of the county. This subject is more fully treated in a chapter devoted to it.
Another measure was the funding of the county debt, for which a bill was introduced by Senator Hawthorne, but it failed to pass. Hon. Lansing Stout, one of the Assemblymen from Placer, in after years became a citizen of Oregon, where he was elected to Congress by the Democracy in 1859. He died at his residence in Oregon in March, 1871.
The Legislature passed an Act permitting the people of Placer County to vote upon the proposition of subscribing to the stock of any extension to the Sacramento Valley Railroad from Folsom to Auburn; also one authorizing the Supervisors to levy a special tax for the benefit of, or expenses of the jail and prisoners.
CAMPAION OF 1856-THE REPUBLICANS.
Again a new political party made its appearance in California. This was the Republican party, already strong in the Northern States of the East. but in the beginning of 1856 only mentioned with bated breath on the Pacific Coast. The Republicans had gained such strength in Congress as to enable them to eleet N. P. Banks, of Massachusetts. Speaker,
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Dy a plurality vote after a contest of two months. This had so incensed the California Legislature, then in session, that it adopted a resolution declaring it deplorable, " as representing sectional feelings dia- metrically opposed to the Constitution of the United States, and to the only measures and doctrines which will insure the perpetuity of our Republican institutions, and the preservation of our Union."
This resolution was introduced in the Assembly by Hon. J. T. Farley, the Speaker, and leader of the American party, and it was that party, which at the time seemed most to dread the new organiza- tion. The Democrats, although denouncing the Republicans in bitter terms, hailed them as disor- ganizers of the American party, as from that element it might draw the disaffected and independent vote. No thought was entertained that the new party would gain sufficient strength in California to be dangerous to the Democracy. The masses of the people were so opposed to it that its first advocates were frequentiy mobbed when attempting to address the public. The organization was regarded with unspeakable horror, as unwarrantably sectional and treasonable, and its advocates as fanaties or lunatics. Such was the welcome the Republican party received in California.
The election of 1856 involved a President and Vice-President of the United States, two members of Congress, Clerk of the Supreme Court, Superintend- ent of Public Instruction, a Legislature that would have the election of two United States Senators, and a full set of county officers.
The Democrats called a State Convention to meet at Sacramento, March 5th, to elect delegates to the National Convention at Cincinnati. Placer was alloted 13 delegates, the rank being sixth; San Fran- cisco 39, El Dorado 21, Sacramento 16, Nevada 14, and Tuolumne 14.
The Democratic County Convention to send dele- gates to Sacramento, met at Auburn, February 23d. Resolutions were adopted recommending that dele- gates be sent, favorable to the nomination of James Buchanan for the Presidency. The following were chosen delegates: Captain Southworth, D. B. Curtis, Tabb Mitchell, George W. Applegate, Samuel Todd, J. H. Baker, Joseph Colgan, Henry Gooding, W. W. Caperton, Joseph Walkup, James O Neil, Wm. MeClure and Benjamin F. Myres. The State Con- vention met on the 5th. Resolutions were adopted declaring that James Buchanan was the choice of the California Democracy for the nomination of President. Broderick, Bigler, and other Northern Democrats were the champions of Buchanan, while Volney E. Howard, and other extreme pro-slavery men expressed doubts as to his position, upon the question of admitting slavery into all the Territories.
The Convention met at Cincinnati, June 2d, and on the 5th, made nominations of James Buchanan, of Pennsylvania, for President, and John C. Brecken. ridge, of Kentucky, for Vice-President.
The Grand Council of the American party met at Philadelphia, February 19, 1856; and nominated Millard Fillmore, of New York, for President, and Andrew Jackson Donelson, of Tennessee, for Vice- President.
The first Republican State Convention in Califor- nia met at Sacramento, April 30th, and was attended by representatives from thirteen counties. . The Placer Herall congratulated the people of the county on the fact that only one man from Placer was present. The Republican National Convention met at Philadelphia, June 3, 1856, and nominated John C. Fremont, of California, for President, and Wm. L. Dayton, of New Jersey, for Vice President. The residence of Fremont in California was denied, and he was accredited to South Carolina, his native State. The anti . Fillmore men of the American party met in Convention in Philadelphia on the 20th of June, and nominated John C. Fremont for the Presidency, and Wm. F. Johnson, of Pennsylvania, for Vice-President.
The Abolition party nominated Garrett Smith, of New York, for President, and S. McFarland, of Penn- sylvania, for Vice-President, and a third faction of the American party nominated R. F. Stockton, of New Jersey, for President, and Kenneth Rayner, of North Carolina, for Vice-President.
The principal questions of difference between the parties were, on the Republican side, opposition to the extension of slavery into the Territories; dis- satisfaction with the repeal of the Missouri Com- promise, and demanding the repeal of the obnoxious Fugitive Slave Law.
The County Democratic Convention met at Auburn on the 5th of September, to nominate one Senator four Assemblymen, and county officers, and to appoint thirteen delegates to the State Convention. These delegates were: S. G. Elliott, Joseph Walkup, P. H. Clayton, C. Seffens, Col. Wm. McClure, J. H. Baker, J. O'Neil, Henry Gooding, W. W. Caperton, S. C. Astin, Jas. Herrick, Charles King and D. S. Beach. The State Convention nominated Charles L. Scott, of Tuolumne, and Joseph C. Mckibben, of Sierra, for Congress, Charles S. Fairfax, of Yuba, for Clerk of Supreme Court, and Andrew J. Moulder, of San Francisco, for Superintendent of Public Instruction.
The Republican State Convention met at Sacra- mento on the 27th of August. Placer County was represented by Messrs. Charles A. Tuttle, P. H. Sibley, H. Hazel, F. B. Iliggins, - Buckland, - Brock, J. D. Carpenter and C. J. Hillyer. The nominations were as follows: Ira P. Rankin, of San Francisco, and Tom. Cox, of Plumas, for Congress, (Cox was withdrawn and - Turner placed in his stead,; Cornelius Cole, of Santa Cruz, for Clerk of Supreme Court, and J. M. Buffington, of Sacramento, for Superintendent of Public Instruction.
The Convention of the American party, held September 15th, nominated A. B. Dibble, of Nevada,
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POLITICAL HISTORY OF PLACER COUNTY.
and B. C. Whitman, of Solano, for Congress, John Skinker, of Sacramento, Clerk of Supreme Court, and Horace P. Janes, of San Francisco, Superintend- ent of Public Instruction.
The election occurred on Tuesday, November 4th, with the following result in Placer County :-
President-Buchanan (D), 2,808; Fillmore (A), 2,096; Fremont (R), 992.
Congress-Scott (D), 2,739; Mckibben (D), 2,725; Dibble (A), 2,090; Whitman (A), 2,069; Rankin (R), 1,043; Turner (R), 1,007.
Cierk of Supreme Court-Fairfax (D), 2,778; Skinker (A), 2,086; Cole (R), 986.
Superintendent of Public Instruction-Moulder (D), 2,771; Janes (A), 2,092; Buffington(R), 973.
For Railroad subsidy 3,432 against, and 319 in favor. Amendments to Constitution, 2,462 for and 795 against.
The county nominees of the several parties, and the votes received for each were as follows :-
Senate-Joseph Walkup (D), 2,738; Hiram R. Hawkins (A), 1,913; Curtis J. Hillyer (R), 1,016.
Assembly -- W. W. Caperton (D), 2,724; A. P. K. Safford (D), 2,718; S. B. Wyman (D), 2,720; James O'Neil (D), 2,568; Lansing Stout (A), 2.183; C. J. Brown (A), 2,024; P. B. Fagan (A), 2,073, M. M. Robinson (A), 2,013; W. D. Lawrence (R), 925; - Burrows (R), 884; S. R. Bradley (R), 796; - Shel- don (R), 874.
Sheriff-Charles King (D), 2,619; W. T. IIenson (A), 2,515; Monroe Richardson (R), 513.
District Attorney-P. W. Thomas (D), 2,711, R. D. Hopkins (A), 1.995; F. B. Higgins (R), 908.
County Clerk-Tabb Mitchell (D), 2,576; B. F. Moore (A), 2,302; Wmn. Cory (R), 776.
Treasurer-Philip Stoner (D), 2,632; T. B. Hotch- kiss (A), 2,246; - Matoon (R), 750.
Assessor-J. W. Spann (D), 2,679; A. S. Smith (A), 2,129; A P. Frary (R), 845.
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Publie Administrator-James M. Gaunt (D), 2,753: II. T. Ilolmes (A), 1.998; G. Otis (R), 902.
Surveyor-Engene A. Phelps (D), 2,789; C. W. Finley (A), 1,990; - Wagner (R), 869.
Coroner-H. M. House (D), 2,586; John P. Gaines (A), 2,081; G. W. Towle (R), 908.
Superintendent of Common Schools-P. C. Millette (D), 2,708; S. R. Case (A), 2,013; Albert Hart (R), 933.
California was entitled to four electoral votes, and of these, the Democratic electors received in the State 51.935 votes, the American 35,113 and the Republican 20.339. In the United States Buchanan (D), received 174 electoral votes, Fremont (R), 114, and Fillmore (A), 8, the vote of Maryland. The California Legislature met January 6, 1857, and con- tained in the Senate, 19 Democrats, 11 Americans, and 3 Republicans; in the Assembly, 59 Democrats, 9 Americans, and 12 Republicans. E. T. Beatty, of Calaveras was chosen Speaker, and James O'Neil, of Placer, Speaker pro tem.
SKETCHES OF CANDIDATES.
The Placer Herald gave sketches of the Democratic candidates for office in the county, which are here republished, with additions, with the exception of those whose biographies are published elsewhere :-
W. W. CAPERTON,
One of the nominees for the Assembly, is a native of Mississippi; emigrated with the rush to California, and has long resided in this county, in which he has been largely engaged in mining.
In after years he resided in Monterey County, as lawyer and editor, and died at Monterey in 1864.
SAMUEL B. WYMAN,
One of the aneeessful candidates for the Assembly, was born in the State of New York, came to Cali- fornia in 1849, and in that year settled at Auburn, where the mercantile house of Walkup & Wyman existed for several years. In 1851, Mr. Wyman was elected County Surveyor. Subsequently the two pioneers were extensively engaged in farming and eattle raising, on the place of their choice, where Auburn Ravine debouches upon the plain; where he continued bis pleasant and prosperous life for many years. In 1855 be had been one of the Democratic candidates for the Assembly, but the excitement of the Know-Nothings, or Americans at that time, carried the election, and Mr. Wyman was defeated with his party. Of late years he has resided in San Francisco.
A. P. K. SAFFORD.
The name of this gentleman often appears in the first decade of Placer County's history, as connected with publie improvements, politics and measures for the advancement of society. In 1853 he was a can- didate for the Assembly as a Democrat, but was defeated by the American, or Know- Nothing party. The following year he was again nominated and elected, and again elected to the same office in 1857. In 1862 he removed to Ilumboldt County, Nevada, and there, as in his old home of Placer, became an active politician; was County Recorder, and in 1867 was appointed by President Johnson Surveyor- Gen- eral of Nevada. In 1869 he was appointed by Pres- ident Grant Surveyor-General of Arizona, and became a resident of that Territory, where he has since resided. After serving his term as Surveyor- General, he was appointed Governor of the Territory. and later he has become a prominent banker in the cities of Tucson and Tombstone.
JAMES O'NEIL
Was a citizen of the Federal City, where he was engaged as an employee in the Washington Union office, under the eye of the venerable Ritchie, until the year 1851, when he emigrated to this county, in which he has since resided. Ile represented Placer in the Legislature of '54, and is a practical miner by occupation.
Mr. O'Neil was elected. and became Speaker pro tem. of the Assembly.
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HISTORY OF PLACER COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
CHARLES KING,
The nominee for Sheriff, is a native of the State of Maine; was for many years a resident of Washing- ton City, where he was engaged in business. In 1850 he came to California and permanently settled in this county the following year. Like most Cali- fornians, he has seen a variety of fortune, bas taken his turn with the pick and shovel, been engaged in the saw-mill and lumber business; as a merchant was burnt out in 1852, sustaining thereby a heavy loss. Mr. King is possessed of courage, persever- ance and energy, qualifications that eminently fit him for the position in which the party have every reason to believe he will be placed by the people.
PHILIP STONER,
Elected County Treasurer in 1856, had acquired bis business education in a mercantile house in Cin- cinnati, where he was engaged until carried away by the gold excitement of 1849, when he joined the throng for the Pacific Coast. With that inde- pendent and bold spirit which characterized the young men of 1849 he sought the mines as his field of labor and enterprise, locating in the upper regions of Placer County on the rich Forest Hill " divide," and there worked as a miner until called to the office of Treasurer. When he entered the office the county was in debt to the amount of 8101,000, which amount was reduced during his term of office, ending June 2, 1859. to 846,000. and well on the way to final extinguishment. Mr. Stoner had been elected as a Democrat, and was proposed as a Senator in 1859, but declined the nomination. In the early days of the silver discovery in Nevada be emigrated to the eastern slope, and when the Territory was organized was made Treasurer of Ormsby County
PHILIP W. THOMAS,
The candidate for District Attorney, was born in the State of Maryland, grew to manhood in the old "Empire State," and received a collegiate educa- tion-studied the profession of the law in the office of the distinguished Wm. M. Price-was licensed and practiced at the Bar in the city of New York until 1849. when he emigrated to California and settled at once in this county. Judge Thomas labored with the pick and shovel until 1830, when he resumed the practice of his profession. He was elected Justice of the Peace at the first election in the State, and was Associate Justice of Sutter County in 1850. He was chosen by the electors of this county in 1852. and served from June, 1833, to Inne. 1855, in the office for which he is now before the people. The long and familiar acquaintance of Mr. Thomas with the people of Placer County pre- eludes the necessity of further remarks on our part. in connection with his name.
As will be seen in this Political History, Mr. Thomas continued a prominent man in politics. serving in the Senate as a Douglas Democrat, but afterwards acting with the regular Democracy. He afterwards removed to New York.
J. W. SPANN,
Our nominee for Assessor, is from the State of Mis- souri to California. He is a printer by profession, but has been engaged since 1851 in this county as a
practical miner. Sober, intelligent, and of active business habits, he will fill the position with credit to himself, and to the satisfaction of the people.
In addition it may be said, Mr. Spann was elected to the office, which he filled with much credit, and in his reports to the Surveyor-General gave a complete exhibit of the condition, property, and prospects of Placer County. He subsequently removed to Tulare County, and became a farmer near the border of Tulare Lake.
EUGENE A. PHELPS,
The candidate for County Surveyor, is a native of the State of New York; moved to California in 1849, and has long been a resident of this county. He has surveyed and superintended, as civil engi- neer, water ditches in the vicinity of Yankee Jim's. Competent judges speak in high terms of his capacity for the office the Convention has selected him to fill.
JAMES M. GAUNT,
Nominee for the office of Public Administrator was born in Virginia, and was for a long time a citi- zen of Missouri, from which State he emigrated in 1850 to California. and settled in Placer County in '52. Mr. Gaunt is a mechanic, but has spent his time in this State in laborious mining. Of active, correct business habits, and possessing a stout honest beart, that commands the respect of all with whom he comes in contact, he is well suited to the place.
HUDSON M. HOUSE,
Is the nominee for Coroner. He is a native of Obio. where at an early age he engaged in mercan- tile pursuits. He has lived in this county since 1849, and is familiarly known to the public as the land- lord of the Empire Hotel in Auburn; was one of the five Commissioners appointed by the Legislature to organize the county of Placer in 1851.
PERCIVAL C. MILLETTE,
Nominated for County Superintendent of Public Instruction. This gentleman seems peculiarly suited to this important trust, having graduated at Trinity College, Dublin; studied for the law, and was admitted to practice, but has employed his years, for the most part, in teaching that which he found such a pleasure in acquiring as a student. Ile was last a citizen of Wisconsin, and has been engaged in teaching during his residence in California.
ELECTION OF SENATORS.
The election of two United States Senators occu- pied the first two weeks of the session. As before the election of Senator Weller, California had been represented by but one Senator, the term of Dr. Gwin having expired on the 3d of March, 1855, and Colonel Weller's term would expire on the 3d of March, 1857. Broderick's handiwork had been seen in every Senatorial contest since 1849, and now by adroit management that ambitious and skillful politi- cian had control of the election. He and his friends had been the special advocates of James Buchanan for the Presidential nomination, and the official patron- age expected from that source lent its influence in his favor. The aspirants for Senatorial honors were Broderick, Gwin, Weller, Tilford, Latham, Field, McCorkle and Washington.
PHOTOGRAPHEO BY J M JACOBS W. L. Munson.
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POLITICAL HISTORY OF PLACER COUNTY.
TRIUMPH OF BRODERICK.
Broderick received the nomination in the Demo- cratie caucus, for the long term, succeeding Weller, receiving the vote of O'Neil, of Placer, while the others of the delegation voted for Frank Til- ford. For this O'Neil received the severest excoria- tion by the people of Placer, who expressed the strongest hostility to Mr. Broderick. The result was the election of David C. Broderick ax United States Senator for six years from March 3, 1857, and Dr. W. M. Gwin for four years. Broderick had won at last the ambition of his life, but the fruits of his triumph were like " Dead Sea apples, that turned to ashes on his lips." The story of his struggle for the Senatorship, and his life, would constitute one of the most interesting chapters of California's political history, combining intrigue and triumph, romance and tragedy, the firmness of friendship and the per- fidy of politicians; but only the brief statement of facts can enter the history of Placer.
ACTS FOR PLACER.
Among the Acts passed specially for the interest of Placer County were the following: An Act, intro- duced by Senator Walkup, and approved February 4, 1857, to change the time of election of Supervisors of Placer County, so that one will be chosen each year; also an Aet, introduced by the same, to appro- priate all the special tax levied according to Act of the previous year for jail purposes, and one-half the proceeds of the Foreign Miners' License Tax, to the redemption of county serip before it would become due, on such terms as could be agreed upon. Scrip was usually sold to brokers at a discount of from thirty to fifty per cent., and this Act provided a fund whereby the Treasurer could act as broker and purchase serip. The saving by this measure was estimated at $10,000 per annum.
By an Act approved February 13, 1857, the salary of the County Judge was placed at 82,000 per annum. The terms of county officers were to begin and end on the first Monday in December after those elected in 1858, continuing two years.
CHAPTER XXI.
POLITICAL HISTORY OF PLACER COUNTY.
Campaign of 1857-The Democracy United -- Democratic Com- binations -- Contempt for the Republicans -- Campaign of 1858 Douglas Democrats-Conventions Held-Republicans and- Douglas Democrats Combine-Eleventh Judicial District- The Election-A Portentous Omen-The Legislature-C'am- paign of 1859-Horace Greeley-Broderick and Terry Duel -M. S. Latham Elected Senator-Legislation for Placer- James Anderson-Campaign of 1860-Threatening Aspect of Parties-The Election-Lincoln the President-James A. MeDougall Senator-A Stormy Session-The Rebellion- Campaign of 1861-Success of the Republicans-Campaign of 1862 -- Three Parties in the Field-Abolition of Slavery- Constitutional Amendments Adopted-Campaign of 1863- Democratic Song-"Long Hairs " and "Short Hairs" United-Democrats United-Judicial Election -- Placer County Matters-Campaign of 1864-Presidential Nomina- tions -- The Election.
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