Amador weekly ledger., 1857-11-21
TAXING MINING CLAIMS.
NI.MRrR |.

NUMBER l.
The miners Of California have probably as many
difficulties to contend against as any other class OF
people upon the face OF the earth They are the
bone and snew Of the State, suffering untold hard
fhlps and priyations and performing more unrequi-
ted labor, perhaps than the same number of men
ever did before yet there are those Who needless
Of The truth that they are aiming blow where it
il by no means deserved, constantly strive to cast
new aud additional stumhling-blocks in their way,
under the plea OF imagined inequality of taxation.
There is, for instance an annual attempt made
to fetter and stiAc the energies of the miners by
imposing and holding them responsible for a tax
npon that which they do not possess otherwise than
in expectancy, and which eludes their grasp many
times oftener than they are enabled to clutch it,
Since the discovery of gold they have performed
labor enough to have earned an independence at
chopping cordwood ca the banks OF the Mississip-
pi yet only few of them are better OF than when
they first took up the pick and shovel In many
places they have almost literally leycled the noun
tain with the plain whence has flown stream of
gold that has made money more plentiful in Cali
fornia than in any other part OF the world; yet
precious little of ii remains in their own pockets
They have developed wealth that is counted by
hundreds of millions Of golden dollars; not bank
notes certificates OF stock or other paper eyiden-
ces Of wealth existing only in imagination, but
pure currency yet they have counted it all out to
others. They have created and promoted all other
interests in this sState-commereal mechanical and
agricultural-to their present standard; for with
out the mines and the miners California would have
remained until this time chiefly in the possession
of the Digger Indians yet they have promoted
Tor themselves little else than broken constitutions
and empty pockets. They have made princcly
fortunes for thousands who are now reveling in
luxury for thousands who have scattared easy-goi
wealth TO the winds in riotous living for thousands
who have been the lavish patrons Of the gaming
table and other vices yet the miner has worn his
grey shirt, Jared sumptuousy only because hard
labor sharpens his appetite for frugal repast and
remains as poor as he was at the start Ncverthe-
less it is insisted that he shall be made to pay ad-
ditional tribute to the luxury of others.
Wherever there are different and in certain
distinct interests in the same State, cupidi,y
raises the presumption, generally without good
foundation) that such interests are antagonistic.
The cry of unequal taxation naturally follows, and
the representatives Of one charge that the repre-
eentatives Of another fail to pay hcir pro rata Of
the expense necessary 10 support the government.
Herein is exhibited the true reason OF the attempt
to tax mining claims; whereas there is in fact
great community of interest existing in and perya-
ding all branches Of industry in California The
product Of gold is the primary interest-ihe inter
est that nourishes and promotes all oihers-and
to unjustly tax it would be striking a blow the
evil effects Of which would extend to every depart
mcnt of trade and industry.
The attempt which is to be made during the next
session of the Legislature, to pass strong resolu-
tions asking the General Government TO cede all
Of the mineral lands to the State is willy dodge
and well calculated as an electionecring card il
win be argued that to oppose the acceptance as q
gift of so magnificent domain Is even absolute
treason to the interests Of the State but when il
ia remembered that the gift is sought ia order that
the Legislature may have the authority to tax mi
ming claims aad that the accomplishment of this
object would be the irst step towards the sale and
monopoly OF the mineral lands, The force aud ef-
feet OF the whole matter dwndles out However
ingenious the movement and plausible the argu-
ment, the miners will readily discover the cat un-
der the NEAL The proprietorship Of the mines
should remain in the General Government and as
at present, the citizens Of the country should be
left free to work them at will.
In series of articles TO which this is intended as
an Introduction, we shall endeayor to show that
the mines and the miners are in reality more the
victims of oppressive taxation, while they at the
same time receive less benefit from the State gov
ernmcnt and its laws than any other class Of the
people, or any other branch of business.
LATE present issue Of the LEDGER
has been delayed some hours, in consequence
OF q large portion Of the Tax List not hay-
ing been delivered to the printer until late
hour yesterday afternoon. That Tax list has
n weight of responsibility an its shoulders