The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-02-14


Massage OF Gov. McDougaI OF California.
FdloD-Gaicea,S u THE Senate and House OF dSsemby:
You are permitted to assemble under o,rcum
stances calculated to awaken our gratitude to the
dispenser of al good, for the many blessings be
slowed upon Us, and TO inspire u, with increased
confidence in the stability of our institutions At
no period since the organization Of our State go.
vernnent have we enjoyed such uninterrupted pros
perityin health, ia the development of our agri-
cultural ana mineral resources-as during tn, past
year
A subject which has assumed degree Of impor-
tsnce rot to be overlooked by the Executive and
Legislative brG inches of the State government ls
that arising from the operation of our system of
taxation, in the alleged inequality with which it
operates upon the different sections Of the State.
IL declared by citizens OF the southern counties,
which are essentially agricultural and grazing, that
under the present state arizaion and laws they
are overbnrthened by taxation for tho support OF
tho State government, fro n which they derive
little benefit, while tho northern mining counties,
more favored in this respect, bear but small
proportion Of the burdens Of taxation. They
sey, also, that while the taxes which they pay are
double those paid by the mining countess their re-
presentation in the Legislature is only one third
numerous. From en- examination Of the taxes AZ
sessec upon real end personal property, and OF
those returned as delinquent, which will be seen by
reference to the report OF the Comptroller Of State,
the six southern and grazing counties, with popu-
lation of 1907 souls as taken from the census
",
year ending the lst Of July last the Of 70j
20; while the twelve mining counties. with popu-
lation Of ll99l7, have paid 81 ,253 GO The latter
hive representation in the Legislature Of forty
four. while the former have but twelve. The
amount OF capitaton tax assessed in the twelve
mining counties is S5i, 195, and the amount re-
turned as delinquent $R,9lo; while the amount
assessed in the grazing counties is 200, and the
amount delinquent 1921 50, showing that tho
southern counties, with population OF 1857, pay
cspitation tax Of 1888 30 more than the twelve
mining counties, which have population Of
1887 1t will be seen, Also by reference to the
same report that tho entire agricultural counties,
! with population of 1918, have paid into the
treasury, curing tho last fiscal year, $2i6, 2 III,
while the mining counties wit h population as DO
fore stated Of 1875 pay only $2l ,253 66.
The interests of the southern counties are in
many respects inimical to those Of the north. To
| remedy whatever evils exist seems impossible
der the present constitution, for that instrument
provides that there shall be no special legisl alton,
declaring that 9 all laws of general nature shall
have q uniform operation" 1t declares, also, that
taxation shall be equal and uniform throughout
the State" This equality now exists only in a
legal sense; for while the southern counties which
are mostly covered by grants and in the possession
of individuals, pay heavy tax upon every acre Of
their land, which at best yields but moderate d.
vdend upon it's valuation, the mining counties, ex-
ceedingly prolific in the returns they make to their
occupants, being almost entirely the property Of
the federal government, pay nothing compare
lively, into the State Treasury. Thus, while
for their benefit, they escape taxation upon
| the lands they occupy, and pay nothing for
| the treasures which they take from the coil,
The effects Of this unequal taxation have already
become apparent, rot only in the necessity which
has been forced upon many citizens Of the southern
counties, of alternating portions Of their lands and
sacrificing portions of their stock to meet what they
consider unjust burden, but the dissatisfaction
consequent is fact swapping those cords Of amity
which should ever prevail between citizens Of the
same commonwealth. This condition Of things
cannot last long without great danger to the peace
and prosperity of tho State. The dissatisfaction
already felt will increase, and local preudiocs take
the place Of common fello wship. Tue constitution,
through its provisions, some Of which have been
referred to, prevents the Legislature from remedy
ing the evil; but it gives it the power Of calling
convention would, therefore, most earnestly re-
commend that convention Of delegates from the
peops, for the revision OF tho constitution, be called
at an early day, at some suitable place, in which
body all inconvenience OF whatever nature, arising
from the prefent State charter, may be discussed,
understood, and, as far as possible, obvlated.
| The adoption Of some practical system for the
disposal and government of the lands belonging to
the state, which have been granted her by the Sc
verai acts Of Congress, is subject to which most
earnestly invite yeur attention By an act Of Con.
grcss passed in September, $780, all the swamp and
| overlooked lands lying withia the several States,
were given to those States respectively, for the pur
| rose Of reclamation. The quantity Of land which
the State Of California viii derive under this act,
amounts to from six to ten millions of acres, en-
bracng almost the entire arabic public lands in the
State. For the purpose ef enabling the State to
avail heIsef Of the benefits Of THE grant at the
| Loot moment, communicated with the Secretary
Of tho Interior, at Washington, early lest spring.
After waiting sufficient len 9Th Of time FOR reply,
/ without receiving any, forwarded second appii-
| cation, bshing that tho Surveyor General Of our
state night be authorized TO select the lands under
that grant; but as ret ! have received no roply,
| ] presume, however, that no objections will be
mace 10 this course. as sinilar privileges have boon
/ granted to otber States. Should my application
! he successful, urgently suggest the passage Of
! law enabling the Surveyor General to prosecute
the duy Of selecting the lands the earliest prac-
! tcable caS. Tho charastcr % tho lands granted
uncer TIE act alluded to is such that tho interests
q The STATE would bo greatly suossrved by tho pR,-
cage Of q law securing 70 each Gettler, who RAy
locate in good faith, suitable quantity Of land Tor
| homestcad This fcgaTe a., for the present. Tho
true policy o. the state. Tho lands TO whi,h sbs is
entitled urdcr other laws Of CongreEs, for school
0rd other lurpcees, ebould receive your early a.
tsntion, thai they msy be promptly applied 70 tho
| purposes ATTENDED L woald probably be for the
interest If the state g adopt, Ia regard TO the
larde designated IUle, s. stem Of grants to la
dfduals the corditcn 4 at the lands 50 granted
! shall be drained by thsm within glyon tune. By
this course large portion q the ate no lyins
y useless coDciton, would be made proddeglye,
contribute largely O. th9 STATE treasury, aud Ia
duce lsrther immigration and settlement Ok the
Cbnsse-ope Of the NEST worthy classes o. our
newly adopted citizens % whom the climate, and
y character Of these Lar te are peculiarly suited
TIE draining Of these lands would so add largely
TO the heeiIa OK the country ia their vicinity.
When TINS drained the Tule landa, comprising
the larger portion q the graft ualer the act re-
'arred 70, vii become the most desirable lance in
Tic state and capable OF producing in the highest
degree e perfection, riso, sugar caDo, and O.her
staple products, which cannot 5s grown Ia osAoT
leItiOEs Of The state
Much has been said respecting The action neces
so ~ la "a 80 vr.s a.
A.tcf careful consideration q the dusies or govern
rneDt, and tho rev ard anon alous situation CT our
uiu,hg districts am clearly Of the opinion that It
would be ,mpolitic in Congress to adopt o. create,
fyslem cf working Tic mineral lands NJ present
ADOPTED, js the only one which win meet With sup
port rom ihas body ot industrious and enterprisng
1 cia2ers engaged II mining operations Ire mines
| ticm by tho general government should be for
mnnr emf rninriainah. such nolicv would b ealcn.