San Andreas independent., 1857-12-26

tests of the courts and the cunnino scru-
tiny of lawyers, the State must first Sc
cure cession of the federal title. In
I'll TINS IS consummated the contemplated
tax would not only be illegal, but it
would operate in practical point of view,
as tyranny on the poorer class of mi
ners, who, for want of funds to carry
their grievances into court, would be
compelled to submit to the law, right or
wrong; the wealthy, of course, would
contest the matter to the last extremity,
and evade payment. If the State has
power to levy the tax, she must also pos
sess the legal power to enforce its pay
ment, and this could only be done, in the
majority of instances, by the forced sale
of the claim taxed. 1t is easy to foresee
the consequences of such an arrange
ment In few years the mineral lands
would all pass into the hands of specula-
tors, who might or might not be residents
of the State, and anxious for her substan-
tial prosperity; the present hardy, ener-
getic race of miners, would give place to
degenerate hirelings and dependents, but
short remove from slaves an aristocra-
cy and apeasantry would grace the mines.
However, it might be polite for men,
bers from the mining districts to bring
the subject up for final adjustment this
winter. 1t is probable, that after the
census and apportionment of 1860, the
mining counties may not Eli the same rel
ative position in the legislature they do
now If, therefore, all parties can be re-
conciled to a fair and equitable compro-
mise, the sooner it is effected the better
for the interest of the miner. We had
better, perhaps, for the general good,
make slight concessions now, whilst we
are powerful enough to command, than
run the risk of being handled without
gloves when we shall be shorn of our
prestige and strength.
The next in Importance to the subject
We have just been discussing, is the pol
icy of encouraging the immigration of
Chinese and others incapable of citizen
ship, and tolerating their labor in the
mines. There is room enough in Cali
fornia for millions, but we trust it will
not be filed by the swarthy pagans of
Asia. They will not be slaves, and can
not be equals of free white men. They
are becoming as great nuisance to our
cities and villages as wild dogs in the
streets Of Constantinople their very in
1ustry is curse and a blight to our own
people The miners are becoming impa-
tient and intolerant towards them, and
threaten unlawful measures for self-pro-
lection. When it is once known among
their countrymen at home that our policy
encourages their residence here, the Ce-
lestial empire will disgorge her refuse
population by millions upon our shores,
and perhaps, like our bellicose neighbors
of Salt Lake, send missionaries over, to
instruct our youth in their wonderful civ
ilization. Let us decline their favors in
time, and if the demands of commerce
produce an active trade between the two
shores of the Pacific, trade let it be, and
nothing more. This subject was brought
before the legislature of 1856, elaborately
discussed in the House committees re-
port, but suffered to slumber upon the
table among the rubbish, until forgotten
in the noted political struggles of that
session. The present is an excellent
time for members from mining constitu-
encies to renew the issue and fight it to
a successful termination.