The Placer herald., 1858-01-02

ruined by litigation with the Government in the
Federal Courts. Some of them, after seven years
war in our judicial tribunals, fortunate; indeed
If they are able to retain moiety of that estate
which we plighted our faith should be fully Sc
cured to them. The policy of the Spanish or
Mexican States, has always been entirely different
from that which has prevailed in our Government
in regard to the disposition of its lands that the
agricultural interest here has suffered very much in
consequence thereof. The confirmation of these
grants has placed an immense amount of the best
farming land in the hands of few persons,
whilst true policy demands that we should have
as many free holders as possible. The American
farmer always desires to be the owner of the soil
which he cultivates.
10 many cases, grants were SO loosely made and
the boundaries so indefinitely given that honest
persons who supposed they we're occupying public
land are now about to lose their improvements by
the manner in which the surveys are made. When
individuals have gone in good faith and made inl-
provements upon what was supposed to be part
Of the public domain, but which, by the decisions
of the courts is found to be covered by Mexican
grants the settler is entitled upon every principle
OF justice, to full remuneration for his labor and
improvements The whole constitutional power
of the Legislature should be exercised to protect
him. These hardy and industrious pioneers who
have gone upon wild and uncultivated land and by
their labor and industry made the earth give forth
its richest productions, and surrounded themselves
with all the comforts OF home, are entitled to our
especial consideration Their energy and their
enterprise have already placed California amongst
the first agricultural States Of the Union.
The condition of our finances impose upon us the
necessity of practicng the most rigid economy.
Ever since the organization of our State Govern
ment the expenditures each year have far exceeded
our receipts, and as consequence we are now bur
thened with public debt. State as well as
an individual must be ultimately bankrupted if its
expenses are allowed for series of years to exceed
its income. Our debt, amounting to some four
millions of dollars, has been incurred to pay cur
rent expenses of the Government.
All over s30O,0n0 of this amount, contracted
since the adjournment of the first Legislature,
in direct violation Of the Constitution, and although
the proceeds cf our bonds were shamefully squan-
dered yet very large majority Of our people at
the recent election ordered that the debt shall be
paid They have determined that innocent holders
of our bonds shall not suffer by the unconstitutional
acts or dishonest conduct of our own agents Cali
forna has said in unmistakable terms that the dis
grace Of reputation shall never rest upon her es-
cutcheon. l rejoice that those who have placed
in the position which now occupy, have SO
nobly vindcated the reputation OF our State A
State which violates its plighted faith and trifes
with its honor, would soon become reproach to
republican institutions, and by-word among civil
liZed nations.
We must take care to steer clear of these diff
culties in the future. Provision mus be made for
the prompt payment of the interest on our
debt, and especial pains taken to confne the
expenditures within our income. This we can do,
and must do, or bankruptcy, at very distant
day, is inevitable. The people have heard enough
from their public agents upon the subject OF econo-
my-they now demand that it shall be practised.
Much was done by the last Legislature, but more
remains to be DONE The expenses of conveying
prisoners to the Penitentiary, and supporting them
whilst there, is an enormous tax upon the people.
Whilst the convicts in many of the States are
supporting themselves, we are taxed $12O,0OO per
annum to provide for them, and that, too, under a
system which allows large number to escape
every year If you add to this the amount paid
for transportation of convicts. (s35,O00) you will
have a sum equal to the achoie expenses of some
of our sister States, with four times the popua-
ton?
In the State of Indiana, the whole amount of
the ordinary expenses of the government for the
year ending in October 1855, was $147 ,442; and
during the succeeding year, was reduced to $780,
522 and this with population of nearly one
million and q half!
In the three State Prisons of New York, with
nearly two thousand convcts, in the year 1885, the
expenditures over the earnings, were but $4,000
In California, the expenditures for State Prison
purposes, and for printing, alone in the year end
ing Both June, 1856, amounted to more than hdJ
q million of dollars.
These are certainly crying evils, which demand
prompt action on the part of the Legislature.
The 18th section, XI Article, of the Constitu-
ton, declares that "taxation shall be equal and
uniform throughout the State. All property in
this State shall be taxed in proportion to its value
to be ascertained as directed by law"
1t may well he doubted whether our present rev.
enue system is in accordance with either the letter
or the spirit of this clause in the Constitution. 1t
declares that property shall be taxed; and yet
it is notorious that many persons hold property
which annually yelds--and in all probability will
continue to yield for series of years-a handsome
income, on which no taxes whatever are levied.
In imposing taxes necessary for the support of the
Government, the great principle of equity and
justice should be observed, and each interest made
to contribute its proper share. Those who receive
from the Government protection in their persons
and property ought to pay their just proportion of
the taxes Nothing short of an EQUAL distrbu-
ton of the burthens of Government can or ought
to give satisfaction to the people
The second section, ninth article of the Consti-
tuition. declares
"The Legislature shall encourage by all
suitable means the promotion of Intellectual,
scientific, moral, and agricultural improvements
The proceeds of all lands that may be grant
ed by the United States to this State for the
support of schools, which may be sold or dis
posed Of and the five hundred thousand hcres of
land granted to the new States, under an act of
Congress distributing the proceeds of the public
lands amopp the several States of the Union, ap-