, 1863-02-21
Taxing the Miners.
AUBURN. Feb. 10th. 1868.

AUBURN, Feb. 10th, 1863
! EDS. STATESMAN Through your paper see
the question mooted in regard to taxing the min
ers in our gold and silver fields, and also propo-
sition to sell such lands for mining purposes as
are known to be rich ID mineral wealth.
Owing to the present necessity on the part OF
our Gocernment to raise funds would not be
surprised if something of this kind should be done
and as two propositions are before the Govern
ment, we the miners, think, should say some
thing in regard to which we would rather have
| forced upon us. As Union man, am willing to
do what | can TO support the Government and
am not disposed to question the policy of the Ad-
mnstratlon, as to the proper means of prosecu-
ting war against rebellion. But as to raising
funds for such purposes we should have say
The proposition therefore to tax m iners will first
claim attention. s
An eight per cent. tax would almost, if not
quite, result in prohibition of mining, from the
simple fact that there is not one miner in fifty that
realizes more than eight per cent. OF the gross
proceeds of his operations as profit and, in fact,
almost all mining operations that will yield this
per cent. clear are very profitable. For instance,
leave Walla Wala city with an outfit of one
thousand dollars, spend one month in reaching
the mines; on the way | expend one hundred
dollars in ferriages &c. My time is worth one
hundred dollars, making twelve hundred total.
reach the mines spend one month and one hun
dred dollars in finding claim, making fourteen
hundred dollars, total spend one month, with
the services of ten men, in opening my claim, be-
fore realize any money This costs me eigteen
hundred and twenty dollars, the common price of
labor and provisions. But ] am clearly warranted
in making the investment because have pros
pected the claim and know the money is in it,
| now have a total of three thousand two hun
fuap do i
more is necessary to furnish sluces; and nv claim
has cost one hundred dollars. | am now ready
to WORK, at an expenditure of three thousand five
hundred and twenty dollars. | now work twelve
months my wages and expenses for myself is Two
thousand one hundred sixty dollars In order to
work out my claim in one year, employ ten men
at seven dollars per dav, they boarding them
| selves. | am only able 10 work three hundred
days, giving myself time to go home inside of
thirteen months. Tweny-One thousand dollars is
| the wages. | take out of my claim twenty-nine
| thousand five hundred dollars. l have during the
year used one hundred dollars worth of quick
silver. My total expenditure is as you will see,
| twent-six thousand nine hundred and lightweight
dollars. Add to this the per cent. on twenty y-nne
thousand five hundred dollars and | have but one
hundred and fifty dollars over wages for all my
! hardships and risks for thirteen months. Now
you will see that with my wages and the per cent.
have the very handsome sum of three thousand
six hundred and sixty dollars for my thirteen
months operations.
The history of every miner on the Pacific coast
would 60 to show the truth of these calculations
Some persons who strike rich placer diggings may
make many thousands in short time ; but they
may have spent as many thousand in prospecting
for these diggings ard had they been compelled
TO pay an eight per cenr. tax would never have
a1 hal ,L
placers and the thirty thousand that | have
just taken out would be in the ground if had
been compelled to pay eight per cent. to the
! Government
As much as may regret the policy Of selling
the mineral lands, yet it would be far better than
taxing miners and much more profitable to the
Government; because the purchase money could
always be had while the tax could never be col
! lected.
The sale by Government of mining land would
produce great change in affairs but am not
clear but it would be very satisfactory to nearly all
of the miners provided there was the necessary
restrictions to prevent monopoly. l see no reason
why the mineral land of the United States may
not in this way become taxable. Give the miner
title and then his claim becomes zeal estate and
is subject to the ordinary tax. But the idea of
eight per cent tax on the products Of the mines,
| look upon as simply ridiculous.
We all have mining ground here that is dura-
bic and which if it was secured to us by U. S.
patent would be valuable property and We could
work it as best suited our convenience-just as
the farmer works his agricultural grounds, and
whether we worked or not we are tax payers ac-
cordng to the value of our property; and why
should we not be ? p
And now, having given, in off-hand manner,
my ideas on this subject, will leave it, hoping
that what have said may lead to general ex-
preston of opinion among miners; and l would be
| glad if this question could be settled by miners
alone
Winter st holds on and the consequences are
times are very dull.
Some distinguished strangers have been for
some days Sojourning here some are from Port
land some from the Dalles, some from Walua
and some from Walla Walla. nlL"
would suggest that these gentlemen "go slow.
| Yours as ever. WALLA WALLA.