The weekly ledger., 1857-08-29
Briggs Speech in Jackson.

oii66o SPc0OA Al SuShooh'
AT the meeting in this place, on WedneS
day of this week, after Maj Bowie, and DR..
Powell had concluded their speeches. r. M.
Briggs was called to the stand, and coul-
menccd by stating that he did not intend to
make speech. However, he spoke at some
length, and in a strain that surprised us for
the ignorance of the law he manifested, for
man who has such a reputation for shrewd-
ness. We will not say that Mr.. Briggs in
tended to deceive so intelligent an audience
For instance, in his remarks in regard to
the school lands-did he not know that there
was no possible manner for the State to get
the land till it was surveyed by the T. S.
Surveyor? The State could not go ont and
squat on quarter section, or league, or
any other amount. But as individuals could
do so, the State in 81 passed law to sell to
individuals land warrants authorizing them to
take up the land for the State This was the
only way to get at it, and yet Briggs forsooth
would have had the land picked out, which
now would be worth $75 an acre" Why
don't he tell how he would DO it.?
In regard to the Poll Tax, he was very
sweet indeed-was in for its reduction, even
if it was to wipe the school fund out of exis-
tence Rather than tax the miners so high
he would be for letting people who have chill
dren pay their own money for their school
ing" That was too much even for the most
inveterate non-tax-payer. What is the small
sum of SO a year to any well man in the
State? A mere nothing; and yet Mr.. Briggs
thinks because a miners claim is not taxed,
he should pay no tax at all This istoo bare
faced honeyyfugleing to catch any miner we
ever saw. In fact this saft-saacder way of
coaxing votes from the miners is stale, and
wont go down with them. The Democracy
have always refused to tax claims but think it
right that they should pay something to sup
port the government. Will any sane man
say that mans property. person and rights
should be protected by the law, and he yet
be required to pay no tax to maintain that
law? The miners do not ask it, yet Mr.
Briggs is endeavorng to make them think
they are very much abused and that he alone
is their friend. 1t is only bid for votes,
when he knows that he cannot affect the tax
in any manner. 1t is calculated that $l2-
600 of poll tax will be collected in this coun-
ty this year Add this sum to the property
tax, and property owners would feel the bur
den severely. Farmers in the valley, and
other property owners, how would you like
that Remember that portion of the poll
tax now goes to the schools. That too he
would wipe out.
Does not Mr.. Briggs know that the ex-
penses of the county can be lessened without
change of the constitution. Give the coun-
ty Judge but little to do and lower his salary
accordingly; then give the grand jury to the
District court, to which it once belonged;
make fewer terms of the courts-al of which
can be done by the Legislature without a
change of the constitution, and all his reforms
are accomplished. Yet if you desire a change
in the constitution you can vote for it, Gas
you will be called on to vote on that ques-
tom without voting for Mr. Briggs; as he
if elected can not effect anything in that mat
ter, as it all depends on the vote of the peo-
pie.
AS to the exemption law, Mr.. Briggs
held out the idea that any farmer or mechan-
ic was allowed his homestead now single
man who has no relatives on his hands, IN
this country, tosupport is not allowed a home
sted neither is married man whose family
is not in this State. We have no objections
to miners claim being exempted, that rests
entirely with them and when they want law
of that kind passed, and ask for it, demo-
cratic legislature will give it to them, us that