The Nevada journal., 1861-01-25
Abnut Poll Taxes.

Gov. Downey takes sensible view IN his
message of the poll-tax system. We have
for years past endeavored to show up The
lax manner in which this tax has been paid.
1. was formerly less than at present, but a
few years ago it was found that the State
and Counties received nothing COMPARE
lively from the majority of the population
in the way Of taxes. 1t was thought that
the small sum demanded from each, and the
small percentage given the officers for its
collection, were causes which did not en-
courage vigilance in the collection of poll
taxes. 1t was thought, too, that the State
and County governments being supported
by the few, it was no more than right that
the many should be made to share the bur
then by contributing in the shape of a poll
ta1. The tax was therefore increased and
greater inducements held out by law for its
collection. 1t was argued that poll tax
of FIVE dollars would not be much to de-
mand of man of property in addition to
his other taxes and that he would readily
and gladly pay it as all who were entitled
to vote and many aliens besides, were re-
quired to pay the same.
1t has been found on experiment that the
men of property are about the only ones
who pay any taxes at all. The indacement Is
held out to officers fer the collection of poll
taxes fail 10 secure the object. The major
ity, as ever, escape. The tsx-collector seems
to couGne his collection of poll taxes to the
men who pay property taxes, and who, their
property being exposed, cannot escape any
:ax that may be demanded of them.
The very insignificant sum paid into the
State treasury annuity derived from poll
taxes, prompts the Governor to make the
remark that the tax had better be abolished,
or more generally paid. lie says truly that
no one shonld be allowed to vote who has
not paid something for the support of the
government.
We like the stand taken by the Governor
on this question, and hope plan will be
devised, either by change in the Consti-
tuition, or otherwise, by which every person
who assumes to vote at any election shall
be compelled TO show proof that he has not
paid less than a certain respectable and
fixed amount for the support of the govern
ment. 1t were better to have the sum fixed
in the Constitution, as otherwise party to
purchase the votes of the rabble in large
cities might reduce the amount to almost
or quite nothing by Legislative enactment.
As poll taxes are now collected, it would
be better to abolish the tax entirely, and
let property contribute to keep up-the. gov
crnment without the aid of poll tax.
The CosT OF SEcEssIoN.-The Tribune in
a convincing article shows the cost of seces-
sion in a most appalling light. The cost of
each soldier to the U. S. Government is
5000 year. As some men in thi. State
are insane enough to propose the secession
of California from the Union it may be
well to count the cost of the step before
it is taken.
So long as the feelings Of the people of
California remain as they now are, it is
hopeless to think that the State can escape
the costs and horrors Of a civil war if Pa
ciic Republic is attempted. The true por-
tion of the Union can easily spare, if need
be, ships and men enough to compel the
Pacific Republic to keep not less than ten
thousand meu in the field. These would
cost at Atlantic rates according to the esti-
mate of the Tribune $4,000 600 a year. re-
quiring tax in addition to that already
paid by cur citizens, OF 6ve per cent on all
property within the State. No one suppo-
ses that a contest once begun will terminate
in one year. The American revolution was
Of eight years duration. 1t is rot imnrob-
able that a civil war might b. protrscted
for many years The prospect of even
short war would drive millions of dollars
out of the State. 20 man having movable
capital would subject it to the ruinous tax
alton Pacific Confcderacy would ineyita-
bly, produce. Property of all kinds would
fall in value fifty per cent if not more, and
general ruin would stare every man in the
face. 1t is the law of revolutions and can
not in the nature of things he avoided
Those who have no property cannot fail
to suffer in common with those who have.
The stagnation Of business, the expectation
of all capital from the country, and the gen.
eral uncertainty and alarm consequent upon
civil war, must sssuredly paralyze many
branches of industry and produce general
distress. As we now are, we are content,
prosperous and happy. The government is
the best that ever mortals devised. What
would We have more? If there is ANYTHING
to complain of it is the high rate of taxa
tion. But that is our own fault If we, by
any nisstep increase that taxation il will be
our fault too, and the curse will rest upon
US for many years to come, and perhaps
time will never repair the mischief
MARRIED.
At the American Ranch, on the 18th inst, by