The Nevada journal., 1857-12-18

speak of would-be fillibusters.
TAXING MINING CLAIMs-On this
subject, which is an exciting one, the
press of the mining counties is astir
The right to tax all kinds of property,
without distinction is maintained with
ability by newspapers in the larger cit
les and the agricultural counties The
arguments from this source have created
a fear that powerful attempt will be
made during the session of the Legisla-
ture about to commence, to impose
tax upon mining claims. The fear is
largely increased from the recollection
that last winter strong body of men
was found on the floors of the two hous-
es favoring the imposition of such tax.
Though agitated for the first time, the
proposition met with a favor urexpect-
ed. Therei is great reason to apprehend
the ranks of these advocates of the tax
will be somewhat swollen by accessions.
The doctrine has found supporters
among the ablest Democratic journals
of the State. and the Governor soon to
be inaugurated has indicated his adhe-
sion to the principle of taxing mining
claims in a speech at Los Angeles
How far the sentiments of that speech
are to be attributed to habitua1 dema-
gogueism belonging to the Governor
elect-to tickle the ears of an agricul-
tural population which has always COM
planned of the burthens of taxation-no
one but the gentleman in question can
exactly say. The miners, however, ac-
customed to say what they mean on all
occasions, are disposed to take Weller
at his word, and they believe him to be
a convert to the new doctrine of taxing
mining claims. His speech taken alone
without a knowledge of his character
leaves no other inference. We have
then the Governor, and, if the members
from the agricultural districts are true
to the popular sentiment of the sections
they represent, thirty out of eigh-
ty representatives in the lower House
favorable to the measure. Besides these
thirty-seven representatives from the
non-mining counties, there are others
from counties partly agricultural and
partly mining, some of whom are liable
to be governed by the sentiment prevail
ing in the neighborhood from which they
more Immediately come. Thus, it will
be seen that in one House at least, there
is imminent danger that a bill to tax
mining claims might obtain a majority of
supporters.
In the Senate the taxation men can
count on but fourteen representatives of
agricultural districts out of thirtyfour
in all. AS in the Assembly, number
of individuals are found who represent
counties partly agricultural and partly
mining, lessening the chances to some
extent Of defeat of the measure in
that body. Thus We see if the lines
are closely drawn between the represen-
tatives of mining and agricultural inter-
ests, the latter will present a formidable
force, if not strength enough backed by
the Governor and the able papers enlist
ed in the cause to carry the measure tri-
umphantly through. There is fear too
that among the representatives from the
mining counties may be found some
ready and willing to acknowledge by
their votes the justice of the measure.
We are acquainted with intelligent
minds in our midst who are disposed to
reason in favor of the proposed tax.
Among the mercantile community gene
rally. powerful influence e,there is found
too little opposition to the measure to
suit miners.
A false step has been taken by the
miners in not resisting the payment of
taxes imposed upon capital invested in
mining claims. The opinion of the At
torney General that capital so invested
is subject to taxation should not have
been silently submitted to as the law of
the land. By allowing taxes to be i'm
posed and collected upon claims pur-
chased, the admission was virtually
made that claims are proper objects of
taxation, for there can be no reason why
the half of a claim sold should pay a
tax and the other half still in the hands
of the original owners, nothing. If one
half is property fit to be taxed, the 9TH
er is as certainly So. The miners have
allowed themselves to be outwitted in
this thiop We shall recur to this Sub-