The Placer herald., 1856-02-23
For the Placer Herald.


Mr.. EdHor:-In last weeks Press notice a
long and illogical communication over the signif-
icant cognomen of ''Citizen," the intention OF
which is to favor and advocate q measure-fund-
ing :he outstanding Indebtedness Of the county
which is antagonstic and opposite to the best in
tercst of the county. | have twice carefully peru
sed his epistlc and am compelled to acknowledge
my inability to discover the first shadow of proof
or argument adduced, whereby the county is to be
benefited or her resources and revenue increased.
Instead Of legitimately y conining himself to the
question and cndeavOr to demonstrate by his mass
of statistics" the Importance Of and the benefits
to be derived from funding law, "Citizen" loses
sight of his subject pitches into 'TaX-Payer" and
completely annihlates him for his audacity in eX-
posing scheme concocted by an interested few,
the consummation of which would impair our
credit and increase our liabilities do not desire
to impugn the motives which actuated and en-
couraged such labored production and windy ef-
fusion, but still | am inclined to believe, were
accustomed to consult imagination, that | could
closely conjecture the consideration.
"Citizen" does not in his two column effort, adj
vance II single cogent reason to assist him in IL
lustrating the utility and Importance of funding
the county's present Indebtedness; nor would he
ever devote the slightest attention to the subject.
provided scrip was worth 50 or 100 cents to the
dollar. 1t appears to me simply ridiculous and alb
surd in an honorable gentleman to be now dis
satisfied with with his salary object to the man
ncr in which it is paid, when it is within the re-
collection of all-and he must admit the fact him
self-that he industriously eXcrted himself to OBJ
tain his present honorable and dignihed position.
1t would doubtless be exceedingly gratifying to
the inhabitants of Placer to have some feasible
plan devised which will enable them to remove
their financial embarrassment and reduce the iu-
ture business transactions of the county to cash
basis; but they never will consent to adopt the
fallacous method recommended and dictated by
"Citizen.'
Up to date the County's Indebtedness falls but
little short of the sum of 100000, and upon this
sum it is correct to estimat ate that interest to the
amount of $4,000 has already accrued Assum-
ing that our county can have labor performed
upon as reasonable terms an adjoining county.
the funding process will necessarily entail an item
Of $4,000, which. together with the interest al
ready accumulated would make $4,000. From
this exhibit it is clearly apparent that there would
exist public debt Of SlZ0,000 the interest upon
which, in ten years at the rate Of 10 per cent. an
nualy would amount to ST. ,000-making sum
of 81 GOO to be cancelled annually over and
above our expenses. Truly "Citlzen' is an eco
nomical and expert financier.
| am glad to know that our competent and in
dcatig gable Treasurer does not participate in the
agitation or favor the adoption of this measure,
so suicidal and disastrous to the interest and
credit Of our county, but proposes a plan. if
adopted, VIII 0nably increase her revenue
and rapidly liquidate her present debt. The
proposition is that the present legislature make a
law, authorizing the proper officers to levy a
slight additional tax TO be paid into the General
Fund" and making it incumbent upon the Trea-
surer TO accept County Scrip in payment Of taxes
and licenses By this mode alone the revenue de-
rived from license would increase 40 per cent.
Our population is rapidly increasing. and if the
Assessor faithfully discharges his duty, the reyc-
nue. from poll tax alone after deducting the fees
of collection, ought to amount TO $4,000 the en-
suing year. improvements are becoming more
magnificent and proftable-enterprses more nu-
merous and durablc-popuation more industri-
Gus and permanent. With the fees of office re-
duced and no more public buildings to construct
our Increasing and reliable sources of revenue
combined with prudent and judcious admins
tration of our county affairs. will be ample and
abundant to lquidate our liabilities in short
time. and convince any other than an interested
clique of the disastrous consequences arising from
the funding" system.
In conclusion have TO remark, that pecuniari-
" have only a few dollars at stake therefore
personal interest does not dictate my views or in
duce me to enter this controversy Can Citizen
say as much for himself? Yours. &c.