Weekly Trinity journal., 1859-11-12
TAX TION.

When we take calm view OF the actual real
tiles of California life, especially as we fad it
in the mining interests, there is much very much,
to cause us to wish many things otherwise. That
the success of every kind of business depends
upon that of mining, needs no argument; a self
evident proposition carries its own proof There
is fact patent TO those whose tolsome expert
ence has forced it upon them with crushing truth,
but which others, engaged in different business,
may not so readily admit that the masses-and
by the masses l mean the mining portion of COM
munity-do not receive, owing to many causes,
the full reward to which their labor entities them.
l say nothing OF the reverses incident to such
uncertain business-the loss Of time employed IN
opening claims which oftentimes pay nothing, the
expenses FOR water, living, &c, but particularly
assert the fact that the miner does not receive
remunerative reward for bis labor as that labor
entities him to. This is suggestive Of serious
thoughts, and prompts the enquiry as to the eau
ses of such state Of things for if there is any
one thing of more real interest to the community,
that should call out the phianthropic feelings.
than that OF the welfare of those upon whom all
are in measure dependant am free to confess
j do not know what it is. Nor is this regard for
that interest a selfish one some experience in
the vcissitudes of mining life has taught it, and
enables ME to know the facts.
How far the burthensome taxation on the peo-
pie conduces to such state of things, is to my
mind more than problematcal. Let us examine
this point little. And here the subject of tax
alton presents itself in two different views-irst
that of direct and visible and the indirect or
unseen form of taxation, but not the less real on
that account. Indeed am not certain but that
means Of taxation is far the more weighty. Un-
der the direct, there is first, the capitaton tax on
each male citizen, of 81 per head wagon road
tax. 81 The military tax, so cts per man. Then
there is the Foreign Miners license, 4" for the
better protection of the alien citizen" as the
Legislature somewhat facetiousy expresses it,
amounting to S4 per month, to the man, giving
s46 annually. Besides which, we have the tax
on licenses to transact business per quarter, for
different grades, according to the amount of bu
siness done. Here we see at glance something
of the direct tax, and can readily form an idea
of the amount for which each individual is per-
sonally liable, as likewise approximate esti-
mate of the revenue derived from the various
sources. But this does not include all the tax
man pays 1t is pretty well ascertained rule
of political economy, that occording to the laws
OF trade the burthen of taxation ultimately falls
on the consumer The general rule, that govern
ment derives revenue from imported goods by
way of tariff, and that the importing merchant,
in order to meet this direct taY, which he pays,
sells at sufficient advance to cover the first cost
as well as the Import tax and that each succeed
ing trader must receive his additional price to
pay him profit; and that the ultimate consumer
or last purchaser indirectly pays it all, is an ad
law, and susceptible of demonstration as any
problem in mathematics. The merchant traders
of the interior stand in the same relation to the
San Francisco merchant as the importer there
does to the goyernment-each has got to have his
additional price to pay him. In addition then to
the direct tax, this indirect method of deriving
revenue, by what might be called the ,aiseen way
OF taxation, requires the consumer 10 pay pro-
portionally enough to satisfy what the trader is
compelled to ask, in order that he shall realize a
profit on first COST and enough to cover his direct
tax, for license, &c.
From the many different sources by which the
State derives revenue, and the immense sum in
the aggregate which this amounts to- the treasury
or State ought TO be annually filled to overflow
ing. The revenue from Foreign Miners license.
alone, ought to furnish enough to carry on the
State government-legslative, executive and
Judicial. When we consider the other sources.
such as license to trade, capilation tax, military
tax, tax Oh public exhibitions &c. &c, it swels
the amount to an enormous sum revenue enough
for an empire, though its demands were insatla-
bic as imperial Rome No sensible man can deny
the facts and none can withhold the pressing in
quiIies where does all the money 60 to? Why
is the State burthened by load of public debts
And the still more anxious inquiry-inasmuch as
people here have direct interest in knowing
why has the present Indebtedness of this county
reached its eXtravagant, but it is to be hoped its
eliminating point! These are home questions
Their answers, although easily made, | shall
leave for the reader to supply. The above ref
erence to the means Of taxation has a very poiu-
ted bearing upon the subject matter Of this wri-
ting, and may afford room for reflection to those
desrous OF seeing the great general interests OF
the county in a flourishng condition Eeonomi-
cal administration Of public affairs is as appiica
BILE to State and county, as to Individuals and
might be adopted to wholesome advantage There
can be none to either so long as the great staple
interest OF the country suffers from depressing
causes. Undue taxation is one of the causes.
JEFFERsONIAN.