San Andreas independent., 1858-03-20
TAKING MINING CLAIMS.
SAN ASDREAs. March 18th. 185

sion, as well as eliciting from their con-
stituency an earnest and careful examin-
alton. As matter of course, the Repre-
sentatives from the counties not embraced
IN the mining districts, insist on thessius-
tlce of taxing mining ground, and those
from the mines oppose it. 1t would seem
to be sufficient bar against taxing the
mining lands, that there exists a direct
prohibition against taxing United States
property within this State, as one condi-
ton of her admission. But there is still
stronger arguments which can 1e adduced
by presenting the relative positions and
dependence of the different interests and
branches of business carried on in Cali
fornla. 1t must be quite evident to all
impartial minds, that miningi is paramount
to every other branch of business within
the State, and its development and sup
port mainly depends on the steady supply
of gold miners are able to obtain from the
soil in exchange for their own produc-
tions (even politicians and officials are
dependent on the miners for their extra
perquisites.) Let US dwell moment on
the probable condition California would
now present if gold had not been discov
cred within her borders. We would un
doubtedly be living under territorial
form OF government-mostp probably been
under Mormon domination, as they would
have had no opposition, comparatively, in
the occupancy Of this country; at any
rate, the country would have been mostly
unoccupied, and instead of populous cities
and the vallies teeming with agricultu-
rallsts and the hills and mountains resound-
ing with the noise of the busy multitudes
in the pursuit of wealth or livelihood
The site of the proud metropolis would
have been occupied by an inconsiderable
village, and a.cheap bulk head or sea-wall
would have suficed for all the require
ments ofcommerce, fora long time to come
and the adobe Fort of the old pioneer,
(Gen. Sutter, would have remained with
out any danger of encroachments from the
capital of the present proud Eureka State,
or heartless spectators, and he would
have remained during the evening of his
life-"the monarch of all he surveys -
What would have been the price Of beef
cattle, if the mines had not existed p
They would have been slaughtered for
their hides and tallow, instead of bring
ing, as at present, forty or fifty dollars per
head consequently, the stock raisers
ought not to complain at paying a few
dimes per head of taxes, when, instead of
present prices es-occasioned by the market
afforded him in the mines-he would feed
the wild beasts with their carcasses.-I
Where would the agriculturists find
market for their surplus produce, had it
not have been for demands from the mines?
The fact is, the case would have been
similar to what it was in Oregon before
the gold was discovered. Necessity would
have compelled us to have law passed
making produce legal tender! What
would our dignifed Legislators think to
be obliged to receive their per diem in
produce, hides and tallow, at two dollars
per day, instead of ten dollars in gold
coin, as at present? (Query-Would
there be as many long windcd speeches
made for buncome, as at presently The
present exorbitant fees and salaries of
officers in this State, were, in the first
place, and still is said to be, occasioned by
the profits of mining! when the mines
were first opened, and is mainly the rea-
sons given by stump politicians for the
present financial condition of the State,
which is mainly correct; but, allowing
the precedent safe one to predicate
theory on, of setting the profits of all
kinds of business in accordance with the
average profits of mining, as basis, and
which most undoubtedly ought to be so
considered What would be the duty of
wise and just Legislature, at the present
time, presulning them to be fully acquain-
ted with the situation of the miners, which |
they ought to be?
/ will proceed, briefly, to give my own
opinion 1t is an undisputed fact, known
by all intelligent, practical miners, that
the average earnings of those who are en-
gagged in mining for livelihood, fortunes
are nearly out of the question: does not
exceed one dollar per day; consequently,
our former wise and just Legislators who
ludue uIiHiHS UdSio lOl tlc pay VI our
public officers, ought to be precedent to
govern our present Legislature by, in
which case, policy as well as justice, would
dictate to them, in order to obviate the
necessity of looking after other property
to tax, to reduce the fees, salaries and
services of public officers to an equality
with the earnings of laboring men, me-
chanics, farmers and miners, which the
principles of democracy (Which the ma
jority of our present Legislature profess
to believe in and be governed by imperi-
ously require, namely: a perfect equality
Then, gentlemen, commence and reduce
the per diem of members of the Leglsla-
ture, to show your sincerity and pass laws
reducing all county as well as State Off
cials salaries and fees, and pass stringent
penalties against defaulters, SO that any
public functionary stealing fifty thousand
dollars or more, will be punished as read
ily as common horse thief.
| am aware that it is requesting good
deal to ask our Legislators to reduce their
own pay, as there are a good many who
expect reelection, or the promotion of