The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1862-02-22
Oouspsadsnes Of the Democrats
MGclay-Taxtng Miners.


EDITORS DEMOCRAT: In this the Black
Republican age of this country, when men
of certain party can violate any and ev-
cry law Of common sense, justice and po-
litical liberty with impunity, and at the
same time no one is allowed to mention
aught against such acts without mourning
the awful malediction of being called "Se-
ceSh," I, your humble servant, who han
die the pick and shovel every day, have the
daring presumption to say few words
about the twin satellites of Black Repub-
licanism, Nigerism and Barbarism--
Messrs. Maclay and Perkins-of course
asking the latter gentleman's pardon for
placing his name in company with the
former, to whom it is my business to pay
the most attention on this occasion.
Ithas been said somewhere that white
man is as good as niger when he be-
HAYES himself; so thinks Perkins. But
recently Mr. Maclay has offered an amend
ment to the above by saying a white citi-
zen miner is as good as Chinaman. pro-
vided he pays four dollars per month
tax. Now, Messrs. Editors, if it is a truism
that
s-me men want brains and some have none,
Then surely this man must be one,
For no man possessing the smallest mo-
dicum of intelligence, or at all acquainted
with mining interests, comm so Tar oe,ray
his ignorance of what constitutes the
present and future welfare of the State.
not to mention the past, as to frame law
containing such provisions as the onenow
under consideration.
In order to convey to the gentleman
from one of the COW counties, and all 9TH
crs in like situation, some information on
the subject, we will give a little Of our
own mining experience, also what we
personally know of others, and then per-
haps endeavor to draw few deductions
thcrefrom. For six years after our arri-
val in California we worked hard and
faithfully at mining, sometimes thinking
our claims worth thousands; then again,
with renewed energy and redoubled per-
scverence, aided by neyer-ending hope,
we battled manfully against disappont-
mcnt and deSpalr-and to what purpose?
At the end of the six years, never having
spent five dollars in any or all the evils Of
the land, how much money do you sup
pose We had or were worth? Mary red''
What went with all the money we earned?
Paid it to gentlemen in the COW counties
for grub" Now, suppose We had had
to pay to the tax collector the sum Of
four dollars per month, who would have
been the loser? Fifteen out of every
twenty acquaintanceS, if called upon,
would relate the same experience. And
perhaps not one out Of the five has made
a handsome competence These are facts
beyond successful contradiction.
Taking into consideration the impossi
bi,ity Of estimating the true value of mi
ming claims, and the uncertainties attend
inc this peculiar branch Of business W-AAaicA
has done so much toward developing the
resources and advancing the prosperity Of
California, would it be expedicnt to drive
thrcc.fou'thS Of the miners from the
mines by taxing them four dollars per
month or any other sum or, in the event
they remained, make Cinnamon of them
and feed them upon Lice, with chop
sticks, as Mr.. Maclay wishes to do? |
would ask if it could or would be any
more unjust or absurd to levy tax on
the candy the honorable gentleman's great
grandchildren will be likcly-to.eat or the
extensive knowledge they would not pos.
sess provided they took after their pro.
genitor?
Speaking for myself, should the law
be passed (there's no telling what those
in power will do), there Eill be in the
diggings at least one
HONEST MINER.
Cedar Hill. Feb. II, 1862.