[p. 97 Hon. John G. Downey, 1908e]
One of the first important political questions discussed in the southern district was that of forming a separate state. In 1850, before California had been received into the union, a petition requesting that the southern district be left out of the state was prepared. It was felt that the rancheros of the south, thinly populated as it was, would receive but small favor from the north, which held the bulk of the population, and would have to pay an undue proportion of the expenses of state government. In 1859, an act was passed by the state legislature permitting a vote upon a proposal to divide the state; but it failed to go through. State division has been a topic for much discussion and newspaper wisdom since that time, a bill for division being introduced in 1888; but has never since become a serious issue.
The first state senator from this county was Dr. A.W. Hope, succeeded by Stephen C. Foster, one of the earliest and most prominent of American settlers. The first asssemblymen were A.P. Crittenden and Montgomery Martin, who were succeeded by Don Abel Stearns and Ignacio del Valle. Los Angeles county and Southern California bore little part in the active government of the state during the first three or four decades of its existence. The first governor elected from the south was John G. Downey, inaugurated January 14th, 1860. He was long one of the leading citizens of Los Angeles and had served as assemblyman and lieutenant -governor also. Since that time this county has furnished three governors-George Stoneman, Henry H. Markham and Henry T. Gage. As United States senators, Cornelius Cole, Stephen M. White and Frank P. Flint have heen residents of Los Angeles county.
The discovery of gold brought wealth to Southern California, as well as to the north. J.J. Warner in his "Centennial History" says: "The discovery of the 'mines' in the year 1848 carried away many of the native population; created a new demand for the horses and cattle which the southern rancheros could so easily supply; brought a multitude of emigrants from Sonora, as well as from the United States; left the people at home here (in Los Angeles) in a state of perpetual excitement and exultation. During the summer of 1849 and the year of 1850, Los Angeles was a thoroughfare of travel. With, or without means, the incomers crowded on; seldom destitute, for their needs were supplied, when known, by generous hospitality from the Lugos of San Bernardino; Isaac Williams of Chino; Rowland and Workman at Puente and the liberality of native [p. 98] Californians. With the people of Los Angeles, 1850 was a year of enjoyment, rather than an earnest pursuit of riches. Money was abundant. All sought to make the most of the pleasures of life." A strong contrast here to the mad rush for gold in the placer mines. The prosperity of the rancheros continued for several years. In 1857 a drought retarded the progress; but the increased market for stock and the importation of stock from the states had greatly increased the wealth of the county. The population of the county was 11,333 in 1860. The floods and the long drought of the early sixties; the disturbed conditions of the country and the cessation of immigration made the increase slow during the next ten years. The census of 1870 shows only 15,309 inhabitants.