Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1863-12-17
The Taxation Question.

EDS, NEws-Si s:-As there is justly cox
siderable feeling manifested upon the subjec
of taxing the mines, miner would like t.
present few facts which seem to escape thu
notice of the laboring classes, especially those
who own mining stocks in unproductivt
claims. Admitting that a State organi-
cation is desirable, and the main object Of
the people of this Territory in the action
they have already taken, is it wisdom for any
one to think of backing right down at this
stage of affairs The only stumbling block
in the way is this one of taxing the mines
and this is urged against the formation of a
State by the the very class of men who ut
seems to mel are the very ones who must be
mainly benefited by such law, namely
merchants, mechanics, miners, etc. Now, II
we have State Government, its support-if
not derived partly from the mineS-must
come entirely upon other property, anu
therefore must necessarily be twice or thrlce
as much as it would be if the mines were
taxed with other property IN the territory
1t is surprising strange that men VINO own
in nOn-nroductiye mines, can think that tax
inc the mines can and will stop their pros
Meeting. when, from the very nature of the
case. these same mcn-being consumers OF
supplies of all kinds, which are brought into
the Territory-are the very ones that must
paw this additional tax, if placed "only !"
upon all kinds of business and property eX-
cept mines. | now want to talk directly to
those consumers, for they are really the ones
who have to bear the expenses. For lntance
the merchants are taxed heavily; the me-
chanic and miner go to purchase their clothes
and provisions, and if they complain OF high
er prices than they formerly paid, they are met
with the argument (Which silenccs them) !:
1--WE have to pay such enormous taxes and
rents now, that We cannot afford to sell goods
rs We did before this tax was imposed upon
u.s." Again, the miner goes to the black
smith to get picks, drills, and other mining
tools made and repaired, and here he meets
the same doleful argument, and the poor soul
has not a word say. He cannot help HIM
self; he must pay it, even if it is fifty per
cent, and then he will go away and say, :" Its
all right for YOU to bust me in this way, but
YOU must not put finger upon my wild
cat if you do will bite, if he don't.
Now Soberly and honestly, is it not better
TO nav small tax upon our mines, than 1t Is
to pay a large tax upon our houses, lots
goods, etc. Still another thing presents IT.
self in relation to this question. 1t Is TINS:
Nearly, if not quite, one half of all our non
productive mines are owned by non-reSidentS;
and l think | can safely say, that three
fourths of the productive mines are also
owned by capitalists, who do not reside in
the Territory. These are reapiug the benefit
of our labor, without sharing any of Its bur-
dens. 1t seems to me that the whole ten
deucy of this course, will be to drive capital
out of ordinary business, and deposit 1t IN
mines, which, of course, is proper and right,
provided it does not go so far as to raise the
price of the necesSarieS Of life, beyond the
reach of the laboring classes.
Hoping that these views will be candidly
considered, and that we shall hear both sides
of the question argued, through the columns
of the press, and by public speakers during
the coming canvass. | respectfully sub
scribe myself, yours respectfully,
MINER.