liberty to resume its deliberations. There was much to be done. All was yet in embryo; but the speaker had faith that by patient effort California, if she could not aspire to absolute perfection, might one day figure at the side of Jalisco and Zacatecas! One great obstacle had been the tendency of his predecessors to assume too many powers and duties for the political rule, as if representing an absolute government. A proper division of power according to the constitution should be effected, and the people must learn not to trouble the gefe político with every petty affair. Municipal government was in a sad state of disorganization; local officers incompetent, and the people lacking in respect for the authorities. Schools were neglected; and there were no jails nor other public buildings worthy of the national honor. Municipal revenues were far from sufficient for necessary expenses; he had been obliged to borrow money to fit up a room for this meeting. Agricultural and stock-raising regulations and restrictions had been oppressive. He reviewed the evils of the monastic despotism, and the measures taken and required to raise the neophytes from degradation, noted the necessity of certain public works at Monterey, and the importance of a fort on the northern frontier. His discourse was warmly approved by the vocales, and he took a very prominent part in subsequent proceedings.[1]
The labors of the diputacion were very largely devoted to the consideration of matters connected with the secularization of the missions, and in this respect will be more fully noticed in another chapter.[2] Another prominent matter was that of finance and revenue, of which I shall also have something to say separately.[3] Grants of public lands made by the
- ↑ Besides the copies of the speech in Leg. Rec., MS., ii. 31-49; Dept. St. Pap., Ben., MS., ii. 45-50, I have also, Figueroa, Discurso de Apertura de la Diputacion Territorial en 1ᵒ de Mayo, 1834, MS., the author's original blotter copy.
- ↑ See chap. xi. of this volume.
- ↑ The reports of the com. of ways and means on July 10th, 12th, 24th, 26th, 30th, on revenue and taxation, are given in St. Pap., Miss. and Colon.,
