The Nevada Democrat., 1858-01-13
The inaugural.

We present In our columns to-day the 1nau-
rural Address Of Gov. John B. Weller, The
Inaugurals Of Presidents and Governors are
always read with interest by the people, as
aiEordiug an indication Of the policy Of their
administrations. The Inaugural of Governor
Weller is calm and dignided 10 tone, and emf
nently characteristic Of its author. A more
appropriate occasion for expressing bis deter
minaton, that under bis administration, the
laws should be faithfully executed, and the
regularly organized tribunals protected in their
rights, could net have been selected than when
entering upon the discharge Of his official du-
ties. tits net, perhaps, in the power OF the
Chief Magistrate Of the State to pnt stop at
once to occasional acts Of mob violence, but
we may rest assured that during Gov. Weller's
term Of Office, such disgraceful scenes as were
enacted in San Francisco in the summer of
1856 will not be repeated. The various other
subjects treated of in the Address will be read
with deep interest, and his views generally will
meet with hearty response from the people.
The suggestion that the election laws should
be extended SO as to embrace the "primary
meetings" of political parties, we deem imprac-
ticable. 1t is possible law might be enacted
regulating the primary elections in the cities
and large towns, where regular polls are open
ed and all the forms Of an election gone through
with; but nine-tenths Of the delegates to party
conventions are appointed at precinct meetings,
where the members Of a party residing in the
precinct assemble, appoint chairman and
secretary, put men in nomination for delegates,
aAd each one votes for his choice. These meet
inrs may not in many cases be conducted ac-
csrding to strict parliamentary usages, but any
attempt to regulate them by statutory enact
ments would be absurd. A shrewd manager
will have the advantage in these primary meet
ings, in spite of any law which can be enacted
to regulate them so, an experienced parlia-
mentary tactician, on larger scale. will fire.
quently carry his points In county and State
conventions, and in legislative bodies. The
members of party n their respective precincts
should be left to regulate their own affairs in
their own way.
The propristy Of taxing mining claims, which
10 advcrted TO in the Address, is likely to be
thoroughly discussed during the present session
Of the Legislature. We are, and have ever
been, opposed to this measure, and doubt very
much whether the Legislature has the right to
tax them. In Nevada, and some other counties,
the revenue law has been SO construed as to
taI capital invested in claims, and the improve
nents made upon them are taxed in all the
counties. With this construction of the law,
the miners will be satisfied but 1t is neither
just nor polite to tax the gold which the claims
are supposed to contain until it is taken out.
Much ignorance exists in the agricultural and
commercial counties in regard to the condition
Of tho mining interests, and those who prate the
most about the immense fortunes which the
miners are making are generally the most ig-
norant We shall refer to this subject again as
occasion requires.