Volcano weekly ledger., 1857-03-21

with the exception that good degree OF
economy has been observed in legislative
expenses, which will be credit to the men,
bers, even should they adjourn without ac-
compishing anything additional.
Now, it is possible that we do not fully
appreciate the financial difficulties with which
the State is surrounded; but it does seem to
us that plan might be matured in fortnight.
by the Legislature, which would put an end
to all trouble, and that without any material
increase of taxation. When the finances of
when the income Goes not meet the outlay
it is the first duty of legislature to cast
about and see if the expenses cannot be so
retrenched as to fall within the revenue
already provided for, rather than set to work
at hunting up new articles for taxation,
whereby increased burthens would be in this
instance heaped upon an already tax-ridden
people. We take it for granted, and are
pretty certain we labor under no mistake,
that if the Legislature should adjourn with
ont appropriating one dollar more than will
legitimately come into the treasury under the
present revenue law, during the year, the
,cheelS of government qoH not be stopped, and
hence all present necessary purposes be ac-
complished. They cannot make appropria-
tons to exceed the income, for the Supreme
Court say that is unconstitutional; and should
they undertake to very largely increase the
revenue, such is the present want of public
confidence that it would be found exceedingly
difficult to collect taxes at all, except after
great delay, and under the rigor of Sherifl's
proceedings.
TO settle the whole matter let the Legis-
lature, at all hazards, confne the expenses of
the government within its means; let no war
rant be issued until there is money in the
treasury to cash it, There will be money
enough to pay all expenses that are absolute
y necessary-cut down each item until there
is enough-and although those who would
plain, the people will applaud. This is what
must be done-it is the only thing that is
practicable to be DONE Then pass an act
submitting the present overplus of indebted
ness to the people, and they will almost unan-
mously legalize it; but if you hamper them
with increased taxation and fail to exhibit
to them clearly that there is to be no more
squandering, and no more increase of debt,
many of them, possibly too many, might feel
themselves at liberty to reject the response
bility which they would otherwise cheerfully
assume. The members of the legislature
should look oil the difficulties that surround
them, and especially this reputation difficult
ty, straight in the face"
The exigency is q most important one, and
all depends upon the action get 10 be taken
by the Legislature. If they will manfully
disregard the croakings of those who would
fill their pockets with public funds, and at
once cut down expenses to the standard of
the States income, there viii be no partcu- I
lar present inconvenience, and none whatever
in the future. The State has yet rich in s
heritance in store from her swamp and over S
flowed lands; after the present illegal indebt-
edness shall be ratified, sell these lands and I
pay it of. Then, or now, or as soon as it q
can be accomplished, inaugurate bienniel ses- '
sions of the Legislature-dispense with use {
less oflicers-stop all treasury leaks from con-
;titutional or other causes, and there viii be c
40 necessity for increased taxation. q
SIERRA CuIzEN-This paper came to hand
I : a. E..at -. III