Amador weekly ledger., 1858-02-27
Speech of Hon. MIR Ketcham of Amador, on
the Revenue Bill
IN STATE SENATE, FEB. Is, 1858.

ieaNlllS tne discussion OF all things apper-
tanning to the question now before the House
to those better qualified by experience and
legislative capacity. But, sir, intimations
and assertions have been made upon this
floor, that the Representatives from mining
districts do not support this bill from be-
lief in its justice and equity; further that we
are asking undue favors from Government
to which we have never contributed any sup
port. Now, sir, | cannot, in Justice to my
self-in justice to those who sent me here,
and honored me with seat upon this floor
give even the acquiescence of silence to any
such imputations Now, Mr. President, /
will proceed to give, as concisely and briefly
as possible, my reasons for supporting the
measure under consideration; and will en-
deavor, in connection with the subject to an
swer some of the remarks of the honorable
gentlemen who have arrayed themselves a.
gainst it: The actual amount of the indebt-
edness of the counties of this State exceeds,
at the present time, the sum of $2,500,0 600,
independently of what they owe, collectively,
as the State. For the liquidation of the in
debtedness of the State we have ilready
mede ample provision. 1t now only remains
this, the tenth fical year, and the liquidation
of the indebtedness under which the counties
of this State have been so long struggling.
Now, sir, the expenditures of the State for
the present year are estimated by the Con-
troler at $674, 900. To meet these expen-
ditures, we have an estimated property tax
Of $700,000 Independently of this, the
amount of revenue derived from the poll tax,
foreign miners licenses, swamp and overflow
ed lands, State licenses, passenger brokers'
licenses and the stamp act, will amount to
the Controllers estimate, to $50l 900. Now
sir, deduct Sl20,000, amount estimated to
be derived from the license source under con-
sderation, and we have remaining 1891 900,
which, added to the property tax, amounts
to the sum Of $1,0Sl ,000--leaving an ex
cess, after deducting oil expenditures, of the
sum of SAL 900 in the State Treasury
Why Mr.. Speaker, we can turn the revenue
under consideration into the counties, re-
Guce the property tax from 10 per cent, to
80 per cent, and then have an excess over all
expenditures of SCI 900 in the State Treas
ury; and this, independently of the $50 900,
which it has been most clearly shown by the
gentleman from Nevada can accrue to the
revenue of the State from auctoineer's licen-
ses and the stamp act, by a judicious amend
ment OF the revenue law in this respect
Thus, Mr. Speaker, it will be seen that, by
passing this amendment, we meet all demands,
by rclieveing the counties, whilst ample pro-
vision is made to pay off all expenditures,
and the wiping out interest and principal of
the State debt. Mr.. Speaker, the justice
and equity of this amendment is SO evident,
that | cannot but apprehend that it would
be very generally voted for as a very wise
and judicous law, were all the counties of
this State in possession of the fund derived
from the licenses source now under consider
alton. But now, how is it? Through the
State is growing fat and plethoric from the
very life blood of the counties; though this
measure will save us from sinking under tax
alton and Indebtedness, by having our own;
though glaspng, greedy claimants are PROV
ling around the State Treasury, like wolves
around carcass. to plumber the hard earned
contributions of the people of this State;
though the mining counties have sent millions
home to the distressed of every land on Gods
green earth; though they have built up and
sustained all the industrial classes of this
State, and paid thousands upon thousands into
the State Treasury for the support Of Gov
ernment; though they have done all this, and
more, yet now, when they simply ask for
what is legtimately their own, because it will
prevent them from sinking under onerous tax
alton, or bankruptcy and ruin, the measure
is deridcd by the Representatives from the
agricultural districts, in the most opprobrious
terms. Why, Mr. Speaker, it was never
contested; it was always the acknowledged
legitimate property Of the counties of the
State up to last year; and now forsooth, be-
cause the State has had the use of it for one
year, it is claimed as right belonging to the
State. Upon the same principle, Mr.. Speak
er, that give "A man the proceeds Of my
farm for one year, and when at the expira
ton of the year | wish TO enter into possess
ion, he cries out robbery. But, Mr.. Chair
man, this whole matter has been so clearly
shown to be equitable and Just, that deem
it superluous to say one word more on this
point. But have few words to say, in
answer TO the honorable gentleman whorepre-
sents the Indignant constituency of Alameda,
and that other little county way down some
where, the name of which have absolutely
forgotten. / wish to show to the honorable
Senator that the Pilgrims, us he derisiyely
terms them not only sustain his ungrateiul
constituency, as well as all the other indus
trial classes of this State, but that they have,
directly and indirectly, paid more money into
the State treasury than have the indignant
yeomanry of the COW counties. In doing so,
sir, will not skim over classic Italy, climb
alpine mountains, or wander along the fertile
hanks Of tho Gnnpes river | will not gtop