Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1863-11-09
Taxing the Mines.


The question of the policy or impolicy, the
justice or injustice of taxing the mines, is
now vexing the minds of the people, and is
certainly one of sufficient importance to de-
mand the closest investigation and calm con-
sideration of our law makers. The annexed
communication on the subject is from prom
inent citizen, and one whose interests are
heavily identified with those of the country.
We cheerfully publish his communication, as
we shall at all times be happy to do any cor
respondence touching upon matters Of public
interest. This taxation question is one that,
like most others, has two sides toit, and those
who may chance to differ with Nevada
have an opportunity of replying through our
columns: ... .a.. st..f..
EDITORS GOLD HILL DAILY NBws---SIRs:
The Constitutional Convention now i'll
session, for the purpose of forming charter
for our mergenent FROM territorial form of
government into State, will necessarily
make the proper inquiries, as TO what basis
we furnish for sustaining the burdens State
Government will impose upon the people.
The true policy of every government where
equality of rights is acknowledged, is equality
of taxation, and the principle that whatever
property claims the protection of law, should
aid in sustaining the government that fur
nishes that protection, is indisputable.
That any class of property in this State
should be exempt from taxation, because It'll
owned by corporations Of other States, is
absurd; that it should be exempt because it
i C,IDo1 NV cnrpnratinne M all iS paually
absurd or that the fact that no title has
passed from the Federal Government to the
owners of our mines, should exempt the
mines, any more than town lots or farms,
must to any thinking mind be equally so.
Yet, in spite of every reason why mines
should be clasSed with every other Speci1s OF
property and taxed alike, there is strong
effort making by the rich corporations to be a
privileged few, and they have the ettrontery
to ask to be excused from taking their pro-
portion in sustaining the Government, while
the fact is staring every one in the face that
they are eng1os:ing the entire time and at
tention of the Courts.
1t is well for us to enquire how we could
sustain a State Government without taxing
the mines, were there any justice or plausi-
blereason ever assigned for exempting them.
1t is a fact which all admit, that the en-
tire wealth of the country is the mining
wealth.
1t is estimated that our State Government
will cost $500, 900 per annum. The mining
wealth of the State is estimated at cash
value of from S50,000,000 to 500, 900 900;
all other property in the Territory, from
S6,OOO,000 to 100000 900; so that our tax
able property, including mines, can be safe
" estimated at S60,0O0,OOO, which at one
half per cent,nvi support the government.
But if We exempt the mines, and our assess
ment rolls for the State amount to $4,000
900, then we will require from the bona tide
residents of the State, those who invest in
building up our cities, improving farms and
engage in mercantile pursuits, the energy
and enterprise of the State, three per cent on
all their capital. But should it even fall be-
low this estimate, and it be found that there
was but six million taxable property, they
would have the neat little sum of five per
cent. to countlof their estate for annual taxes.
Is there a man who has made his home in
this Territory, who would wish State Gov
eminent at such price? No, not one;
and yet such are the figures we must meet
if we wish the double luxury of a State Gov
eminent, and to show princely liberality to
our worthy friends who do the specializing
for us-who "mine on Montgomery street."
The objection urged, that while we tax the
mines in the State of Nevada, equally with
other property, that the owners of all our
valuable mines being residents of San Fran
cisco, will the same time DO taxed by the
California laws, in the stocks they own IN
those mines, and thus be compelled 10 pay
taxes twice on the same property, is begging
the question. Is it a reason, that because
other States tax corporations in such States,
that we must be deprived of our equitable
rights to equalize the burdens we bear Sure
ly not. Would California exempt property
in San Francisco, because owned in Nevada
The question would from every one receive
but one answer, of course not. By what ar
gument then should we be more generous?
Not certainly!by being better able to do so.
The result will be, that those wealthy corpo-
rations, will find it convenient to avail them
selves of our corporation law, which they had
the power to make of no avail, by act of Com
gresz and that again will be minor source
of revenue. The result of taxing the mines
will be that
All property will be equally taxed,
That very light tax on the property of the
State will support the State,
That there will be no injustice to the resi-
dent for the benefit of corporate wealth. And
our new State will be prosperous for all time.
Exempt the mines and the burden of a
State Government will be insupportable.
NEyLnA