Weekly Trinity journal., 1857-10-17
lille, SATURDAY, OCT. II, 1857.
Taxation.

This subject, from its great importance, affect
ing it does the interests of every citizen of the
State, is receiving that attention which il GER
tainly merits at the hands Of public journalists.
The past history of our young State, her pres
ent condition, and more especially her future
prospects, in this regard, require the exercise OF
the most discriminating judgment on the part OF
those charged with the enactment of our laws
We are pleased to see the attention of all direct
ed to this important matter, and hope that it may
be followed up until just and equitable basis is
established.
There is little room to doubt the truth of the
charges Of inequality in taxation which are dali
ly made by the press, and yet the means pr0pos
ed to produce greater equality in some instances,
have not an equitable foundation therefore we
should not be censured if we question The SINGER
ity Of those who propose and advocate such
means with the view of producing this equality.
In the San Francisco Wee!iy Herald OF the 9th
inst, we have read a leader Oh this subject, in
which contemplated effort during the ensuing
session of the Legislature to tax mining claims,
is disclosed.
stives Of the mining counties will not strenuous
Iy oppose this measure. but that the more sensi-
bic OF them will favor it, and that even the min
crs themselves will not be aversc to the passage
of such provision in our Revenue law, since
greater security will be given TO their possessions,
and thence argues that there may be no neccss-
ty for combination on the part of the agrcultu-
ral and commercial counties.
Selfdefcnce is the first law of nature, and if
our sister counties, styled cow" are really,
openly contemplating this movement, and con
centrating their forces for the purpose of rivct-
ing the chains upon us of the mining counties,
while they continue to hold the power in conse-
quence of an unjust and unequal representation,
1t is high time for us to be up and doing.
In 1853 our apportionment OF representation
was made upon the imp,r:l census Of 'j2. The
"cow" counties being in the majority, in order
to continue so have prevented the taking of
census since, and thereby retains the controlling
power. We have been taught TO be lieye Il at tax
alton and representa- ion went hand in hand, aud
that protection Should be extended ia like pro
portion.
Now we are not disposed to argue that mining
claims should not he taxed because we are not
allowed an equal representation, but we are dis
posed TO complain OF The unjust Of power
IN our Legislative counsels by those who would
be by far our interiors in strength if the repre-
sentatioa was properly apportoncd. 1t is not
fight that mining claims should be taxed, nor
I L.
ebviated by the passage of law for that pur-
pose. The character of the property owned in
mining claims will not admit ol it. a large ma
jority Of tie mining claims in the State are the
most precarious and doubtful species Of proper
ty, aid the business of mining the most uncer-
tain. A claim which the Assessor In his tour
fhrOugh the county may value at $4,000, from
Its appearance and the attending circumstances
at the time of lis visit may not have yielded to
!ts owner when the Tax Collector calls for the as
sessmeni, suficiency to pay the tax levied. In
many instances, from personal observation, have
We known miners in prosecuting work who have
commenced upon good prospect 10 involve
themselves hopelessly in debt. Ordinary mining
claims are not susceptible of valuation for any
purpose whatever. An investment in this kind
Of property is entirely fortuitous venture.
There is another important objection to taxing
mining claims. 1t is urged that protection will
thereby be afforded our miners in their property,
while our laws permit unnumbcred hordes of Chi
nese to compete with the labor Of our own citi-
zens in the mines. Tax our miners upon the
guessed at value Of their claims, and you at once
place them on par with the " Celestials."
Already do the mining counties, in proportion
to their population, pay greater revenue into
the State treasury than the " cow counties. Is
1t matter of complaint because it is not paid
upon valuable property 1t is paid by the for
eigD miner, and not by the citizen! True. but
is not the foreign miner extracting the gold from
the country and eXhaHsting her resources hocc-
ing it OF its wealth, which may in the course
OF time for the want Of sustenauce, depopulate
ii entirely.
A more law-abiding, law-loving people than
the miners cannot be found Without murmur
have they endured the ills consequent upon the
unworthy administration of our State affairs cv-
er ready to obey and sustain the law, and in the
recent election have shown themselves ready TO
sustain the credit of their adopted State even
though they are obliged to conquer the wilder
ness and the Digger" to obtain new dggngs
. to pay the tax upon their heads
Equal taxation say we, but no taxation of the
right to work and earn our bread by the sweat
0f'the brow. Onr fellow citizens of the cow
counties should be ashamed TO league themselves
against the pioneers of the mncs--the bone and
sinew of the land. We hope we shall hear no
more Of it.
a WORTHY DEtD.-A dog belonging to Far