San Andreas independent., 1857-01-17
Taxing Mining Claims.


United States senatorship, has been settled
by the election of two hostile chiefs to
represent us in the National Council.
But another, of still greater importance to
the people and State of California, will
soon come before our Solons assembled at
Sacramento-that relating to the present
financial condition Of the State. and the
ways and means necessary to sustain its
credit, and save it from the pool of bank
ruptcy, upon the very brink of which it
hangs, tottering and trembling, ready to
tumble and engulph all at the next unfa-
vorable breeze. The people throughout
the State feel an interest to know what
course the present LEGISLATURE will pursue
in regard to this important matter. Our
present financial condition was brought
about by unnecessary extravaganza
financial ignorance in some OF our public
servants, and downright political rascality
in others. Our money has been squan-
dered in some cases to fill the pockets Of
ofice-holders in others, to reward politi-
cal partizans, for whom there was no office
created and again, to add to the wealth
and crafty the cupidity Of merchant-poli-
ticians, who have been sharper in financial
affairs than our statesmen. All former
Legislatures have appeared to go upon the
principle that " every day should provide
for itself y" eat, drink and be merry, for
tomorrow you die''-leaving everything to
be settled by those who should come after,
depending upon future Legislators to be
sharper and more honest than themselves.
But, by the ruling of the Supreme Court,
the crisis has come, and come earlier than
was anticipated, and many Of those who
assisted in bringing about this state of af-
fairs, are still upon the public stage, and
now find it necessary to aid in remedying
the defects which they have been years in
helping to produce. And, what will they
be likely to do in the present emergency? !?
The State Government must 60 on; money
is necessary to keep the wheels in motion;
the same sharks are at work, to receive
benefits by legislative enactment; plans
are laid for the passage Of private and
other bills to reward partizan favorites
the State treasury is nearly empty; in
many cases property holders fail to pay
their taxes, and frequently the delinquents
are among those who are best able to pay;
four-ffths of the men in the State never
pay poll tax as required by law, owing,
generally, to the negligence of collectors !;
and holders of State scrip are clamorous
for something to be done, and that very
quick.
Plans have been suggested, and among
others, that Of taxing mining claims has
been broached in certain quarters, eau
tiously, carefully, it is true, but meaning
ly, and in such manner as to satisfy us
that it was intended to feel the public
pulse and see what effect it would have
throughout the mining districts, and what
the miners themselves would have to say
upon question so vitally affecting their
interests The miners are an industrious,
hard-working people, and are willing to
delve in the bowels of the earth, and bring
forth the riches which will give wealth
to all who are willing to help themselves
by turning their attention to honest trade
or laudable enterprise. But, when it
comes to direct taxation to pay debts heaped
upon us by ignorance and corruption, or to
support politicians and their political har
pies and hangers-on, who depend upon
them for living, and look to their legis-
lation as means of accumulating wealth,
miners will be apt to ask the question, what
benefits have they derived from all this?
What legislation has been done for their
particular advantage? All laws that have
been passed are for the benefit of the office
holder, the traders and the ranchmen If
any new class are to be taxed, tax the
office-holders, say we; tax the politicians,
and let them assist in providing the reve-
nue that is necessary to redeem and sus-
tain the credit of the State, which their
own ignorance or villainy has brought to
it's present disastrous condition From all
the money that has been spent by the
State, what has she to show? Has she
any railroads or internal improvements of
any character Even her Legislature
meets in building owned by the CITY of